It seems like we're always looking to Europe as we try to improve pedestrian safety here in the US. Are they really doing things so much better over there? Short answer: yes.
You can see why by taking a look at this one simple chart from the European Transport and Safety Council's new report Making Walking and Cycling on Europe's Roads Safer. It illustrates one of the report's key recommended policies:
"Further develop a policy of modal priority for road users, particularly in urban areas, the hierarchy being based on safety, vulnerability and sustainability. Walking should be at the top of the hierarchy, followed by cycling and use of public transport."
That's pretty wonky policy language to wade through, so let me put it more simply: Walking comes first.
Let me translate a few more of those wonky policies for you.
"Give priority in road maintenance to the quality of surfaces on footways, cycle paths and the parts of carriageways most used by crossing pedestrians and by cyclists."
Walking comes first when maintaining roads.
"Provide shorter and safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists by ensuring that routes are direct and that the quickest routes are also the safest. Travel time should be increased on unsafe routes and decreased on safe routes."
Walking comes first when designating travel routes.
"Prioritise the safety of cyclists and pedestrians when developing sustainable urban mobility plans."
Walking comes first when drafting transportation plans.
You get the idea.
It's worth noting that the report also devotes a considerable amount of space to promoting low speed limits in urban areas, particularly those with lots of bike and ped traffic:
"Encourage local authorities to adopt zones with a speed limit of 30km/h in residential areas and areas used by many pedestrians and cyclist."
"Introduce lower speed limits for junctions and intersections."
"Prepare national enforcement plans with yearly targets for compliance in the areas of speeding, especially in urban areas, where there are high numbers of pedestrians and cyclists."
I'll do the math for you--that's 18 mph. Most of the roads in my neighborhood are designed for speeds at least twice that high, and that's just the residential roads. I'd love to see a state law lowering the default speed on residential roads to 18 mph, but I doubt that's happening any time soon. Until then, maybe Pacific Beach can be the test case?
You can see why by taking a look at this one simple chart from the European Transport and Safety Council's new report Making Walking and Cycling on Europe's Roads Safer. It illustrates one of the report's key recommended policies: "Further develop a policy of modal priority for road users, particularly in urban areas, the hierarchy being based on safety, vulnerability and sustainability. Walking should be at the top of the hierarchy, followed by cycling and use of public transport."
That's pretty wonky policy language to wade through, so let me put it more simply: Walking comes first.
Let me translate a few more of those wonky policies for you.
"Give priority in road maintenance to the quality of surfaces on footways, cycle paths and the parts of carriageways most used by crossing pedestrians and by cyclists."
Walking comes first when maintaining roads.
"Provide shorter and safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists by ensuring that routes are direct and that the quickest routes are also the safest. Travel time should be increased on unsafe routes and decreased on safe routes."
Walking comes first when designating travel routes.
"Prioritise the safety of cyclists and pedestrians when developing sustainable urban mobility plans."
Walking comes first when drafting transportation plans.
You get the idea.
"Encourage local authorities to adopt zones with a speed limit of 30km/h in residential areas and areas used by many pedestrians and cyclist."
"Introduce lower speed limits for junctions and intersections."
"Prepare national enforcement plans with yearly targets for compliance in the areas of speeding, especially in urban areas, where there are high numbers of pedestrians and cyclists."
I'll do the math for you--that's 18 mph. Most of the roads in my neighborhood are designed for speeds at least twice that high, and that's just the residential roads. I'd love to see a state law lowering the default speed on residential roads to 18 mph, but I doubt that's happening any time soon. Until then, maybe Pacific Beach can be the test case?
I think I'd put goods vehicles above cars, considering the importance of goods deliveries!
ReplyDeleteHa, true--I think the idea is that there's a whole other set of issues with many of the vehicles that move goods (e.g., they aren't always very safe for the people walking next to them), so for most roads they shouldn't have priority over other modes.
ReplyDeleteThe Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century flipped transportation completely around. It was the period of numerous innovations that generally changed the idea of transport. read review
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