Pedestrian Safety and Travel Behavior

Abstract

Due to urbanization, increased automobile growth, and lack of attention by drivers as well as pedestrians to the traffic regulations, traffic collisions affecting pedestrians have now become a serious safety issue in many developed nations such as India. The established road design does not have sufficient pedestrian facilities, leading to constant disputes between automobiles and pedestrians over sharing the limited space on roads. This often results in dangerous situations and overcrowded traffic conditions for slow-speed vehicles and pedestrians. Although adequate control systems, including signals, are provided at unregulated crossings, most pedestrians do not use them and tend to avoid pedestrian crossing areas. This adversely impacts the flow of traffic and the movement of road users. The objective of this research is to identify factors related to pedestrian accidents, characterize pedestrian behaviors and crossing patterns, and focus on pedestrian safety through the use of infrastructure and vehicle technologies.