USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        Learn Safety


            
            In This Section
        Learn Safety
                About RSPCB
                Road Safety Fundamentals
                Roadway Safety Noteworthy Practices
                                Search Noteworthy Practices
                Resources
                Training and Education
                                Overview
                Training Opportunities
                Road Safety Course Finder
                NHI Courses
                Roadway Safety Champions
                Get Help
                                Overview
                Technical Assistance Guidelines
                Technical Assistance Online Application
                Safety Data Dashboard
                
                Improving Pedestrian Safety and Community Engagement in Virginia with a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
    

    
    
          **Pedestrian Crossing | October 2021**

*“Virginia’s PSAP is not just a plan, but a tool to accelerate pedestrian safety improvements through policy changes and funding projects.”*
- Mark Cole, State Highway Safety Engineer, Virginia DOT

Frye Road Crossing before a rectangular rapid flashing beacon and refuge island were constructed Frye Road Crossing after a rectangular rapid flashing beacon and refuge island were constructed

Figure 1. Frye Road Crossing before (top) and after (bottom). Source: Virginia DOT

CHALLENGE

Between 2012 and 2016, more than 450 pedestrians died and over 8,000 were injured while walking along or across Virginia’s public roads. Over 90 percent of these crashes occurred when the pedestrian was crossing the street, and more than half were at mid-block pedestrian crossings.

ACTION

In 2016, Virginia DOT developed a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) to better understand Virginia’s pedestrian safety concerns, recommend policy changes, and identify and fund locations for pedestrian safety projects. Virginia DOT performed a systemic analysis of the road network to identify corridors with higher association with selected crash risk factors. In 2018, they announced a program to use Highway Safety Improvement Program funding for pedestrian safety projects and hosted workshops to educate local agencies on the program. The first round yielded 59 project proposals, from which 25 pedestrian safety projects were funded (totaling $8 million) at locations identified in the PSAP. One of these projects was on Frye Road, a multi-lane roadway, where a rectangular rapid flashing beacon and refuge island were constructed. (Figure 1)

RESULT

Virginia DOT’s implementation of the PSAP is improving pedestrian safety. For example, between 2015 and 2019, there were nine reported crashes at or near the Frye Road crossing (five of which involved pedestrians including one pedestrian fatality, one pedestrian serious injury, and four other injured pedestrians. In the 18 months since the project was completed, there have been zero reported pedestrian crashes at this location. While it is still early, Virginia DOT is greatly encouraged by the preliminary results and hopeful pedestrian crashes will continue to be reduced or eliminated going forward.

RESOURCES

Every Day Counts Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian Case Study

2019 National Roadway Safety Awards Noteworthy Practices Guide

2018 Virginia DOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan

Virginia DOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Map Viewer
              
      
    
          Last updated: Wednesday, September 7, 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us