Safety professionals and municipal leaders are alarmed by the sharp rise in pedestrian deaths to levels not seen in decades. According to the most recent federal statistics, the number of pedestrians killed in road accidents in the United States reached 7,500 in 2022, which is the greatest yearly toll in over 40 years.
These deaths today account for almost one-fifth of all traffic-related mortality. From faster car speeds on vast city streets to the increased popularity of big SUVs, experts believe several elements are causing the increase. Also mentioned as contributors have been distracted driving and even distracted walking.
In response, initiatives aiming at reversing this fatal tendency are under progress on numerous angles. Street plans are under review by urban designers to slow down vehicles and protect pedestrians. Traffic designers are also using better crosswalk technology simultaneously to provide safer crossing across streets.
For their part, manufacturers are adding cutting-edge safety elements to reduce car accidents and better protect pedestrians. Officials say the aim is a multi-pronged strategy to make roadways safer for all, including pedestrians and vehicles.
Rethinking Streets for Safety
In an attempt to reduce pedestrian collisions, several communities have begun looking back over the layout of their streets. A typical goal is to reduce vehicle speeds in pedestrian zones. Urban centers' lower speed limits, traffic calming equipment like speed humps, and narrower lanes all help to gently slow down drivers. Higher speeds increase the danger of death for a pedestrian hit by an automobile, which is why even small changes in average speed can help to save lives.
The "complete streets" idea is also being embraced by city planners, who construct roadways not only for cars but also for walkers, bicycles, and users of public transportation. This can entail constructing pedestrian refuge islands in the middle of large roadways or protected bike lanes and enhanced sidewalks. Curb extensions can be included. These man-made islands increase pedestrian safety by allowing pedestrians to focus on one direction of traffic at a time when crossing a busy street.
Another simple improvement is better lighting. Well-lit crosswalks and junctions increase pedestrian visibility at night, when a disproportionate number of fatal incidents happen. By implementing initiatives like these and strictly enforcing traffic laws, several municipalities have launched Vision Zero campaigns with the goal of ending road fatalities forever. Early results are encouraging; for instance, Hoboken, New Jersey, has gone several years in a row without a single traffic death following renovation of its street safety system.
Smarter Crosswalks and Signals
New technology at crosswalks provides pedestrians with a safer path across the road. Many towns have traffic lights re-programmed with a "leading pedestrian interval," which gives those who are walking a head start of a few seconds before vehicles get a green light to turn. It has been demonstrated that this simple timing adjustment helps turning drivers see pedestrians more clearly and helps to lower collisions. To enable pedestrians to navigate crossings more safely, some intersections have added auditory warnings and brighter countdown timers.
Engineers are also testing sophisticated crosswalks that adapt to real-time situations. Smart crosswalk systems detect when someone is approaching or ready to cross using sensors, including thermal cameras or motion detectors. The device can automatically set in-road warning lights or flashing beacons to notify approaching drivers when a pedestrian is present. Certain clever crosswalk designs even extend the walk signal if a slow-moving pedestrian is still crossing the intersection.
Vehicle Advancements Aimed at Prevention
Tech companies and automakers are also vying to make vehicles themselves less hazardous for pedestrians. One important change is the proliferation of sophisticated driver-assistance systems in newer vehicles. Many models now feature forward collision warning and automated emergency braking as a standard feature. Crucially, the most recent iterations of these systems can identify pedestrians in the path of a vehicle. Should someone be seen crossing in front of the vehicle, the vehicle can alert the driver or even independently use autonomous braking to prevent an accident.
Cars with pedestrian-detection auto-braking had far lower crash rates involving individuals on foot than those without the technology, claims the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Certain manufacturers are also enhancing headlight systems to better illuminate roadblocks (including pedestrians) at night, therefore allowing drivers more time to respond.
A Multifaceted Safety Push
It may take time for these changes to show results, but there are hopeful signs. Cities that have invested in safer street designs are reporting fewer serious accidents. Automakers say upcoming models will have even more advanced collision-avoidance tools. And public awareness campaigns are reminding drivers to watch for pedestrians at all times.
The challenge is sizable — thousands of lives are at stake each year — but transportation officials stress that it is not insurmountable. With coordinated efforts in engineering, technology, and education, they believe the recent upward trend in pedestrian deaths can be stopped and ultimately reversed, making the streets safer for everyone who uses them.
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