Pedestrians face a variety of challenges when they walk along and across streets with motor vehicles. Communities are asking for help to “slow traffic down,” “make it safer to cross the street,” and “make the street more inviting to pedestrians.”

The following is a list of requests (objectives) that transportation professionals are likely to face when working to provide pedestrian safety and mobility:

• • Reduce speed of motor vehicles.
• • Improve sight distance and visibility for motor vehicles and pedestrians.
• • Reduce volume of motor vehicles.
• • Reduce exposure time for pedestrians.
• • Improve access and mobility for all pedestrians, especially those with disabilities.
• • Encourage walking by improving aesthetics, safety, and security.
• • Improve compliance with traffic laws (motorists and pedestrians).
• • Eliminate behaviors that lead to crashes (motorists and pedestrians).

Each of these objectives can be accomplished through a variety of the individual treatments presented in this application. Yet, most treatments will work best when used at multiple locations and in combination with other treatments.

In addition, many of the treatments will accomplish two or more objectives. The key is to make sure that the right treatments are chosen to accomplish the desired effect.

The interactive matrix linked at the right shows which countermeasures are appropriate to consider for the eight performance objectives. In using the matrix, it is important to remember that it is simply a guide. In all cases, good engineering judgment should be applied when making decisions about what treatment will be best for a specific location.