Pedestrian Safety: Data and Strategies to Help Reverse a Troubling Trend
Abstract
The number of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in United States has increased from approximately 4,100 in 2009 to approximately 6,000 in 2016 (a 46% increase). The current number represents the highest level of annual pedestrian fatalities in nearly three decades. Reversing this trend is critical, and it is supported by federal, state, and local goals to move toward zero traffic fatalities. This presentation will cover recent pedestrian safety trends; share lessons from a broad comparison of pedestrian fatality rates between US metropolitan regions; summarize a detailed examination of serious and fatal pedestrian crashes in Wisconsin; and suggest promising engineering, education, enforcement strategies to prevent pedestrian crashes. Concluding remarks will include suggestions for creating pedestrian-friendly communities and for future pedestrian safety research.
Robert Schneider
Robert Schneider is an Associate Professor in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Urban Planning with more than 15 years of experience in the pedestrian and bicycle field. Dr. Schneider has published more than 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals and contributes to national and local research projects on pedestrian and bicycle safety, facility evaluation, travel behavior, and demand analysis. He is the current Chair of the Transportation Research Board Pedestrian Committee and has previously led the Paper Review Subcommittee and the Research Subcommittee.