Designing for walkability is not just about roads. The design of vehicles — everything from their size and shape to their software — has a profound effect on the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.
Street design changes that reduce speeds of left-turning vehicles at intersections (through left-turn traffic calming treatments) or right-turning vehicles (through a decreased corner radius) can similarly reduce the severity of turning crashes. Strategies such as removing parking near intersections, a practice known as “daylighting”, and leading pedestrian intervals, which allow pedestrians to enter crosswalks at intersections before vehicles are given a green light, can enhance pedestrian visibility for drivers of all vehicle types.
