From: Dr. Lane <dr.lane@shaw.ca>
To: Zdan, Terry (MIT)
Sent: Sat Nov 24 11:20:57 2012
Subject: International Transport Forum recommends 12 ways for governments to make roads safer for pedestrians

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/11/itf-20121122.html

 

Key recommendations of the report are:

1.

Integrate the needs of pedestrians at the earliest stages of urban planning projects and transport investments.

 

2.

Establish clear administrative responsibilities at all levels of government for coordination of initiatives to promote walking.

 

3.

Improve knowledge about walking: Create a standardized methodology for measuring, reporting and monitoring pedestrian mobility. Create national pedestrian observatories and encourage international comparisons.

 

4.

Treat public transport services as an integrated part of the development of new urban areas. This can support a shift towards higher-density, mixed-use walking and transit-oriented urban environments.

 

5.

Give more space to non-motorized traffic in city centres: Provide easy, safe, well-maintained pedestrian access to public transport and city center destinations. Develop car-free areas, discourage over-use of cars in city centres, and prevent parking on pavements and pedestrian crossings.

 

6.

Develop national pedestrian planning guidance for local administrations. Plans should routinely consider the impact of projects on pedestrians and cyclists. They should also include targets for future levels of walking.

 

7.

Encourage employers to create incentives for employees to walk and cycle to work.

 

8.

Adopt a “safe system” approach for the design of walking environments. (The “safe system” approach recognizes that road users make mistakes and requires road design to take account of this to reduce the risk of serious injury).

 

9.

Implement traffic-calming zones and generalize 30 km/h zones (19 mph) in areas with high pedestrian activity.

 

10.

Introduce high-quality road safety education in schools and local community centres.

 

11.

Review current traffic codes to strengthen the legal and financial protection of pedestrians.

 

12.

Commission more research to better understand mobility behavior and trends.

 

http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?sf1=identifiers&st1=9789282103654

 

 

Terry Zdan

126 Duncan Norrie Drive

Winnipeg, MB

R3P 2J9

 

204.488.8988