1. Innovative Worldwide Strategies for Promoting Safer Walking as Part of a 'Vision Zero' Approach Lauren Marchetti Charlie Zegeer Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center UNC Highway Safety Research Center Chapel Hill, North Carolina Presented at WALK21 Vienna Conference 2015

2. Presentation Overview Vision Zero Objectives Study Approach Vision Zero Strategies Needed Resources Questions/Answers 2

3. Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has proved successful across Europe — and now it’s gaining momentum in major American cities. Vision Zero Network 3

4. New York City: Vision Zero seeks to eliminate all deaths from traffic crashes regardless of whether on foot, bicycle, or inside a motor vehicle. San Francisco: Vision Zero seeks to eliminate all road deaths in San Francisco by 2024 through education, enforcement, and road infrastructure re-design. 4

5. Worldwide Motor Vehicle Crashes 1.2 Million deaths per year 20 to 50 million non- fatal injuries Crash fatalities are comparable to deaths from all communicable diseases Source: World Health Organization. (2013). Global Status Report on Road Safety: Supporting a Decade of Action. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press.

6. Worldwide Motor Vehicle Crashes 8 th leading cause of death worldwide; projected to be 5 th by 2030 Leading cause of death in the world for people 15 to 29 years old About half of the road fatalities are Vulnerable Road Users (pedestrians, cyclists, and users of motorized two- wheeled vehicles) Source: World Health Organization. (2013). Global Status Report on Road Safety: Supporting a Decade of Action. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press.

7. Number of Pedestrian Fatalities by Country Source: World Health Organization. (2013). Global Status Report on Road Safety: Supporting a Decade of Action. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press.

8. Study Approach International and National Search Three comprehensive sources: 1.PEDSAFE Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System (Zegeer et al., 2013) 2.Evaluation of Pedestrian Related Roadway Measures: A Summary of Available Research (Zegeer et al., 2013) 3.Costs for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Infrastructure (Bushell et al., 2013) Nine Internet Transportation and Engineering Databases Peer-reviewed academic papers, city published studies and reports, conference presentations and periodicals, government publications and reports, web pages and articles 8

9. Countermeasure Categories Pedestrian Zones Traffic Calming/Management Pedestrian Crossings/Intersections Traffic Signal Options Education, Enforcement, & Legislation 9

10. Pedestrian Zones 1.Temporary and Permanent Street Closures 2.Senior Zones 3.Neighborhood Slow Zones 10

11. Permanent Street Closures Full-Street Closures Block street from all motor-vehicle traffic Partial Street Closures Restrict access to only resident and emergency vehicles Safety Effects Reduced average traffic speeds and volumes Aides in comprehensive, area-wide traffic calming 11

12. Temporary Street Closures Pedestrian Activity Closures Street used to promote pedestrian safety and walking through activities and events “Pedestrian Paradises” Regularly scheduled, usually weekly, (i.e. Weekends from noon to 6pm as used in Japan and Australia) Safety Effects Improves overall walking environment Promotes walk-friendly culture 12 Ginza Pedestrian Paradise in Tokyo, Japan.

13. Senior Zones Increases awareness of seniors Slows traffic to safer speeds Accommodates specific needs of seniors at crossing locations Safety Effects Reduced vehicle speeds Reduced crash risk for seniors Increased safety perceptions Chicago and Phoenix- Senior crashes reduced 13.7% throughout city and 46.4% within senior zones. Singapore- Senior “Silver Zones” opened in 2014 have already improved safety perceptions. 13 Senior zone in Singapore. Signage, Refuge Islands, Chicanes, Pavement Markings, lower posted speed limits, crossing treatments. Source: Singapore Land Transport Authority

14. Neighborhood Slow Zones Residential areas that employ traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds Safety Effects Reduces vehicle speeds and volumes; Reduces cut through traffic Reduces pedestrian crashes and injuries Reduces traffic noise, and improved quality of life Examples: New York City and London- (32% reduction in pedestrian crashes & injuries). 14 Neighborhood Slow Zones in New York City

15. Traffic Calming and Management 1.Landscaping 2.Trials and Temporary Installations 3.Chicanes 15

16. Landscaping Creates a visual narrowing of the roadway, and visual separation between vehicle and pedestrians Safety Effects Reduced vehicle speeds and crashes Increases driver awareness of pedestrians 16 Seattle, WA Bridgeport Way in University Place, WA.

17. Trials and Temporary Installations Temporary devices used as a way to test traffic calming for the first time or to help elicit desired behavioral changes for drivers Safety Effects Reduced vehicle speeds and volumes Improved countermeasure use Reduced collisions Cost savings 17

18. Chicanes Concrete islands that create horizontal diversion of traffic to reduce vehicular speeds Safety Effects Reduced vehicle speeds Need to ensure bicyclists safety and mobility is not diminished May reduce on-street parking 18

19. Pedestrian Crossing and Intersection Design Treatments 1.Raised Crosswalks 2.Modern Roundabouts 3.Refuge Islands & Curb Ramps 4.Parking Restrictions—“Daylighting” 5.Curb Radius Reduction & Curb Extensions 19

20. Raised Crosswalks Vertical traffic control measures at crossings and midblock locations used to reduce vehicle speeds, increase driver visibility, improve accessibility and eliminate the need for curb ramps. Not Speed Humps Safety Effects Reduced vehicle speeds Improved visibility Increased driver-yielding Better access for pedestrians with disabilities Emergency vehicle issues 20

21. Modern Roundabouts Replaces the need for controlled intersections by allowing vehicles to flow into the circle and yield rather than stop Safety Effects Increased driver- yielding Reduced vehicle speeds Reduced conflicts and crashes May complicate access for visually impaired pedestrians 21

22. Refuge Islands & Curb Ramps Raised areas in the roadway medians that protect pedestrians attempting to cross and break the crossing into two stages Can be constructed at angles to the right so that pedestrians look in direction of oncoming traffic Safety Effects Reduced conflicts and crashes Increased driver yielding rates and distance Improved pedestrian scanning behavior and reduced exposure time 22 Bottom: Mid-block diagonal pedestrian refuge island with curb extensions

23. Parking Restrictions at Crossings—Daylighting Involves removing parking spaces adjacent to curbs Commonly used with curb extensions, pavement marking or vertical delineators Safety Effects Increases sight distance Reduces dart-dash pedestrian crashes Improves pedestrian scanning behavior and driver visibility May use physical barriers and enforcement of illegal parking 23 Top: Hoboken, NJ used vertical delineators to prevent illegal parking. Source: PEDSAFE Bottom: The UK uses painted zig-zag pavement markings to indicate a crossing area and no- parking or passing zones. Source: VDOT

24. Curb Radius Reduction and Curb Extensions Curb radius reduction works to reduce collision risk by forcing a sharper turn with reduced speed Curb extensions extend the sidewalk or curb line into the street and reduce crossing distances Safety Effects Reduces crash severity and frequency Reduces turning speeds Reduces pedestrian crossing exposure time Improves visibility 24

25. Traffic Control Devices-Signals 1.Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) 2.Pedestrian-Friendly Traffic Signals (PELICAN and PUFFIN Crossing Signals) 25

26. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) A type of LED flashing beacon installed with pedestrian warning signs at midblock and un-signalized intersection crossings They increase motorist yielding and decrease conflicts with pedestrians Safety Effects Increased driver yielding Reduced crashes and conflicts Reduced trapped pedestrians Reduced crossing delay 26

27. Pedestrian Friendly Traffic Signals Puffin and Pelican Signals, as used in Europe, allow pedestrians to call a walk phase using a push-button and get extra crossing time at uncontrolled crosswalks Safety Effects Reduced crashes and conflicts Reduced crossing violations Improved pedestrian scanning Improved crossing times for slower pedestrians (seniors) Increased Driver Yielding 27 A Pelican at a two-stage crossing in Tucson, AZ. Source: www.tuscon.govwww.tuscon.gov

28. Education, Enforcement, and Legislation 1.Public Education Campaigns 2. Speed Enforcement Cameras 3. Legislation 28

29. Public Education Campaigns Used to augment and enhance pedestrian safety effects from engineering treatments Pedestrian Safety Campaigns target both drivers and pedestrians Messages for pedestrians involve being alert around traffic, making eye contact with drivers, and avoiding distractions (Top) Messages targeting drivers focus on yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, reducing speeds, and avoiding distractions (Middle, Bottom) 29 www.watchformenc.org www.watchformenc.org

30. Speed Enforcement Cameras Electronic devices installed at midblock locations and intersections to monitor and enforce posted speed limits. They allow for non-manual enforcement and gathering of photographic evidence. Safety Effects Improves driver speed compliance. Reduces vehicle speeds. May reduce crashes. Should be accompanied with extensive public awareness and information campaigns. 30

31. Legislation A wide range of legislation changes can be effective in improving pedestrian safety. These include: 1.Area-wide speed limit reduction 2.Safe routes to school funding and programs. 3.Stronger motorist yielding laws 4.Stricter consequences for drunk driving Safety Effects May reduce vehicle speeds, improve pedestrian and motorist behavior, and crash risk 31

32. What Can Agencies Do Now to Implement a Vision Zero Program? Designate pedestrian safety as a emphasis area Identify key stakeholders and champions Analyze pedestrian crash data Quantify crash characteristics & location clusters Identify crash problems and establish goals –Reduce 10% of child crashes each year –Reduce nighttime ped./bike crashes by 25% by year 2018 –Reduce senior pedestrian crashes by 5% per year List safety measures to accomplish goals Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Secure funding and Implement 3 E’s and policy changes to meet Vision Zero goals

33. Questions? Charles V. Zegeer Director, Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center Associate Director for Engineering and Planning, UNC Highway Safety Research Cen ter zegeer@hsrc.unc.edu Ask Charlie a question?