The N.C. Department of Transportation recognizes that pedestrian safety is important on all roadways throughout the state. Whether at busy intersections or at crosswalks between intersections, each circumstance must be addressed individually.
NCDOT’s Traffic Safety Unit works continuously on examining new and innovative ways to keep pedestrians as safe as possible and reduce the risk of pedestrian-related crashes throughout the state.
Cities & Corridors
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NCDOT uses a “look back” and “look ahead” method to examine pedestrian safety on roadway corridors or even for entire cities.
NCDOT looks back at crash data and looks ahead to potential risk factors to identify the highest priority roads or areas for pedestrian safety improvement.
The department also follows up with field visits to identify specific steps it can take to improve the roadway.
NCDOT produces maps showing crash hotspots, high risk roads and high pedestrian walking corridors. These maps guide the department’s efforts and help NCDOT effectively communicate pedestrian safety needs to partners at the local level.
Looking Back: Recognizing & Responding to Pedestrian Safety Needs
NCDOT uses crash data to identify locations of demonstrated pedestrian safety needs and to guide how to improve the safety of the location.
Steps to Limiting Pedestrian-Related Crashes
Looking Ahead: Assessing Risks to Pedestrian Safety
NCDOT seeks to be proactive in identifying areas of pedestrian safety needs before vehicle-related crashes occur.
Through a systemic approach, NCDOT looks broadly at all factors to determine the level of pedestrian-related crash risk. This type of risk assessment allows NCDOT to identify potentially hazardous locations.
Risk factors include characteristics of the road, the people who use the road and the surrounding area.
Formula for Determining Crash Risk Locations
Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessments
NCDOT developed and maintains a Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessments in response to a new reporting requirement by the Federal Highway Administration per the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Vulnerable road users include pedestrians, bicyclists and any person commuting between home and work.
The Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment also includes a deeper analysis of reported similar pedestrian-related crashes on the roadway. The assessment includes:
- Fatal and serious injury crash review
- Contributing factor analysis
- Discussions with external partners (cities, metropolitan planning organizations, rural planning organizations or other NCDOT divisions)
- Development of ideas and strategies for safety improvements