## 2 Overview of Current Policies on Road Traffic Safety

2-1 Improvement of road traffic environment

## - Improvement of people-first walking spaces offering safety and security

The national and local governments pursued the following traffic safety projects in order to actively enhance the sidewalks of school routes, residential roads, urban thoroughfares, and other areas. Designed from a “people’s perspective,” these initiatives were implemented with the cooperation of local community members.

(1) Aggressive efforts were made to improve sidewalks in school zones, etc. in order to ensure the safety of children commuting to elementary schools, kindergartens, day care centers, and children's cultural facilities. Furthermore, safety was enhanced in school routes through the installation of push-button traffic signals and pedestrian signals, the construction of pedestrian overpasses, and the establishment of additional crosswalks.

(2) Sidewalk construction and other preventive measures against traffic accidents were comprehensively applied on an areawide basis to “Safe Pedestrian Areas” (designated zones in residential/commercial districts that have a high incidence of casualty-producing accidents and are bordered by thoroughfares) with the cooperation of prefectural public safety commissions and road management agencies.

Sidewalks were also proactively built in residential areas not designated for the Safe Pedestrian Area program. In addition, prefectural public safety commissions and road management agencies concertedly implemented accident prevention measures using the “Accident Prevention Manual for Residential Roads” $ ^{*} $ and other resources. Those measures included efforts to create safe, secure road spaces for both pedestrians and drivers through such improvements as control of vehicle speeds, clear identification of road shapes and intersections to drivers, and clear demarcation of pedestrian and vehicle pathways.

(3) Further endeavors were made to ensure the safety and comfort of pedestrians and bicycle riders through concentrated projects in areas with a high risk for accidents involving these road users. The projects included renovation and other improvements of roads, as well as construction of sidewalks and bicycle paths. Wide sidewalks were built where possible in order to provide a comfortable traveling space. In places where sidewalk construction was not feasible, such alternatives as pedestrian and bicycle lanes were created alongside the roads. In order to help the elderly and disabled people to lead independent, socially active lives, wide, even sidewalks based on principles of universal design were actively constructed mainly in areas near train stations, public facilities, welfare centers, and hospitals. Other improvements involved: installation of barrier-free traffic signals; construction of elevator-equipped pedestrian overpasses, pedestrian rest areas, bicycle parking lots, and parking lots with spaces for the disabled; and elimination of utility poles in road sections under renovation. Moreover, various projects, such as conversion of traffic signals to LED lighting and enhancement of road marker visibility, were implemented to ensure safe passage of seniors and disabled people, and to respond to the growing number of elderly drivers.