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• Research, Development, and Implementation of Pedestrian Safety Facilities in the United Kingdom

Research, Development, and Implementation of Pedestrian Safety Facilities in the United Kingdom

1. Introduction

1.1 Basis of report

The report has been compiled on the basis of the following:

• Literature search using Silverplatter CD-ROM data base held at the Transport Research
• Laboratory (TRL) library;
• Meeting of UK technical experts held at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR);
• Consultation with various academics and practitioners in local government; and
• Review of relevant literature from a wide variety of sources, including literature search and material assembled over the past 5 years.

1.2 Purpose and scope of report

The aim of this report is to give an overview of the issues regarding research, development, and implementation of pedestrian facilities in the United Kingdom. It concentrates on the period 1993 to 1997.

The report covers many types of pedestrian facilities, the UK pedestrian safety record, as well as some education and enforcement matters. The report provides an access document with adequate references to allow further investigation of specific areas, and some commentary on the research and implementation.

The report concentrates on safety aspects of pedestrian facilities, rather than issues of pedestrian convenience or promoting walking as a mode of transport. There are some inevitable overlaps and even conflicts between pedestrian safety and convenience. These are addressed where necessary but the emphasis of the report is on pedestrian facilities and pedestrian safety.

Pedestrian safety has long been a concern of central government, local government, and others in the United Kingdom. Over the past few years, particularly the period of this study, it has received greater attention partly because of the growing importance attached to promoting walking for transport, environment, and health reasons, and also because of concerns that whereas the UK road safety record was generally good, it is less satisfactory for pedestrians.