Pedestrian Countermeasure Policy Best Practice Report

2011PDFBooklet/PamphletFHWA-SA-11-017Pedestrian safetyCountermeasuresBest practicesUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of SafetyUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of SafetyRedmon, TamaraFederal Highway AdministrationSafety is the number one priority for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and it\u2019s the agency\u2019s policy to provide safe and effective pedestrian accommodation wherever possible. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) encourages the use of specific proven pedestrian safety countermeasures that can help achieve local, State and National safety goals. One such countermeasure is raised medians. FHWA\u2019s Safety Office has encouraged the consideration of raised medians in curbed sections of multilane roadways in urban and suburban areas, particularly in areas with a combination of high volumes of traffic, a significant number of pedestrians, and intermediate or high travel speeds. Another proven countermeasure is the use of walkways/ paved shoulders. FHWA\u2019s Office of Safety has promoted the evidence-based safety benefits of accessible sidewalks or walkways along both sides of streets and highways in urban areas\u2014particularly near school zones and transit locations\u2014 and where there is frequent pedestrian activity. This report highlights State departments of transportation (DOTs) that have developed policies related to these countermeasures. The provision of paved shoulders is encouraged in rural areas.83