This report is a working paper for use by administrators and researchers in preparing a comprehensive pedestrian safety research program. The paper is based on an extensive review of pedestrian safety literature published from the late 1970's through mid 1989, divided into three broad categories: (1) information and safety support systems; (2) roads and traffic; and (3) pedestrian and driver behaviour. The findings from the literature are presented as background to a package of fifty research recommendations covering most topics in the field of pedestrian safety. The major conclusions of the report are: (1) there is need for research which rigorously re-examines current, long-standing safety practices, especially in the engineering fields, with a view to their clarification and to the development of new knowledge; (2) there are topics in need of urgent research attention. Outstanding among these is the safety of pedestrians on arterial and heavily trafficked streets. Another is an investigation of the administrative, social, economic and technology transfer problems which interfere with and limit the implementation of pedestrian safety countermeasures of all types; (3) there is need and justification for increased research in the area of public information and community action countermeasures; the strategic long-term pedestrian research goal is to effect changes in the methodology and decision priorities of land use allocation and town planning, with the express purpose of maximising pedestrian safety. Such changes would appear required if a quantum jump in pedestrian safety is ever to be realised in urban areas. A comprehensive pedestrian safety program must consider research in this area as having the highest priority.
Abstract