Attachment C <br />Pedestrian safety: a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners <br />AttachRM B <br />Marked crossings should guide pedestrians to cross at locations where there is <br />street lighting at night. <br />Detectable warnings should be installed to advise pedestrians with visual <br />impairments where the kerb ramp ends and the street begins. The warnings should <br />also indicate when the traffic light will change. <br />There should be adequate visibility between vehicles and pedestrians. For example, <br />night-time pedestrian crossings should be properly illuminated in order to help <br />drivers to see pedestrians. <br />Overpasses and underpasses <br />Pedestrian overpasses and underpasses are bridges and tunnels that allow for <br />uninterrupted flow that is separate from vehicular traffic. This measure is used <br />primarily in areas with high pedestrian volumes. <br />Several issues arise with implementation of overpasses and underpasses: <br />• The effectiveness of these approaches depends largely upon the likelihood that <br />they will be used by most of the pedestrians crossing the street. In Tokyo, where <br />this does occur, reductions in vehicle-pedestrian crashes of up to 9i% were <br />found following the implementation of overpasses and fencing (3). The level <br />of use depends on convenience, security, and walking distances compared with <br />alternative crossing locations. Pedestrians generally do not use these facilities if <br />a more direct route is available. Tall fences and other pedestrian barriers may be <br />used to channel pedestrians to the overpass or underpass. These are not always <br />effective, however, since pedestrians find ways to go around the barriers and cross <br />at intersections. <br />• Overpasses are suitable when the topography allows for a structure without ramps, <br />for example, an overpass over a below-grade freeway. Overpasses with multiple <br />stairs are not user-friendly for the elderly or disabled pedestrians. Underpasses <br />need to be designed in such a way as to offer a sense of being open and accessible. <br />• Ramps must be designed to accommodate pedestrians in wheelchairs. <br />• Underpasses can be affected by flooding, and may quickly become dirty without <br />regular maintenance. <br />• Underpasses are often dark, secluded places. They may be targeted by gangs or <br />other perpetrators of interpersonal violence, and, for this reason, people who <br />perceive a high risk of assault avoid them. Overpasses and underpasses should be <br />well-lit and secure, to maximize personal security and therefore utilization. <br />Mass transport routes <br />Pedestrian safety is a key issue to consider in the design of any mass transport system, <br />including routes and stops (see Box 4.4). Mass transport routes are usually located on <br />major arterial roads, which are the most dangerous types of urban streets (r3). Though <br />travelling by public transport may be one of the safest modes, transit passengers are at <br />a high risk of crashes when walking to and from the station or stop (z4). <br />Page 219 <br />