I think any solution to this problem has to be on several fronts simultaneously. As engineering and safety professionals, we can only do so much to make the roads safe. Beyond that, it is an interaction between motorists and pedestrians and we can't always be there to stop the unfortunate from occurring. For that matter, law enforcement can't be everywhere at once. I am appalled at how many instances I see of entire right turn lanes full of cars turning on red without stopping or cars not stopping for school buses and law enforcement is nowhere to be seen in either case. There are only so many police officers; they can't be everywhere at once.
I don't personally have data to support this but the increase in pedestrian-related crashes and the increase in smartphone use can't be a coincidence. As I said, law enforcement can't be everywhere and engineers can't make the roads/crosswalks 100% foolproof, so the rest has to be common sense on the part of the users. Education can play a role but there are already laws on the books about making a full stop at a red light and not passing a stopped school bus with its lights on yet it happens regularly. I have personally witnessed a crash where one driver stopped for a stopped school bus and the driver behind him didn't.
Engineers can continue to look for ways to make crossings safer, law enforcement can continue to patrol problem areas, educational campaigns can help to raise awareness, and fines can be raised to the point where motorists and pedestrians begin to take the laws seriously but, at the end of the day, pedestrians AND motorists have to take their own safety seriously and prioritize their safety over responding to a text or chat.
Don't misunderstand me, I am not suggesting that we throw up our hands and say "oh well, there's nothing more we can do," we can try to incorporate more separated right turn lanes with islands and petition our city/county/state lawmakers to require that new road projects also include pedestrian facilities. At the same time, though, I don't like the thought that we have to take responsibility for the good or bad decisions of the traveling public.
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James Talley P.E., M.ASCE
Highway Engineer
Sterling VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-01-2018 01:10
From: Jigesh Bhavsar
Subject: Rising pedestrian deaths & design
It is important to address issues related to both pedestrian and driver behavior, distracted driving and distracted walking. At the same time it is equally important to address infrastructure related issues. Poor road infrastructure for pedestrian kill thousands of them all over the world. See below how safe is the infrastructure for pedestrian in more than 50 countries. Visit Vaccines For Roads - Because Every Life Matters for more information.
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Jigesh Bhavsar P.E., M.ASCE
New Delhi ND
Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2018 11:04
From: Justin Obinna
Subject: Rising pedestrian deaths & design
I never forget visiting a friend in the hospital. He was convalescing from injuries he sustained from being run over by a vehicle at a cross street as he exercised in his neighborhood. Since then, I adopted the idea of minimizing my exposure as a pedestrian to traffic. When I want to exercise, I go to a park. One of the things we were taught as little kids in elementary school in West Africa is to always watch out for vehicles as we walked and avoid conflicts with them. There were no sidewalks or pedestrian safety appurtenances and yet pedestrian accident casualties were very minimal. We were taught to be fully responsible for our safety as we walked.
In addition to all the robust pedestrian safety design features we use as civil engineers, I suggest, if not already in place, we develop a strong and comprehensive curriculum for pedestrian centric safety courses from elementary school through college. From this exercise, pedestrian situational awareness will become second nature. This exercise will save lives.
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Justin Obinna P.E., M.ASCE
Transportation Engineer
Texas Dept of Transportation
Austin TX
(512)416-3017
Original Message:
Sent: 09-26-2018 15:18
From: Stephanie Slocum
Subject: Rising pedestrian deaths & design
The following was trending on my LinkedIn feed today:
"The National Transportation Safety Board says that pedestrian depths have risen 46% in 2016 from 2009. New York City proved an exception with 101 deaths last year - the lowest since 1910 - as a lower speed limit and some safer street designs took effect."
What do you think is causing the increase in overall pedestrian deaths? What can we do as civil engineers/transportation experts to save more lives?
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Stephanie Slocum P.E., M.ASCE
Founder
Engineers Rising LLC
www.engineersrising.com
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