USDOT Pedestrian 

Safety Action Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Introduction 1

Understanding the Challenge 3

Addressing the Challenge 11

USDOT Actions to Prevent Harmful Crashes Involving Pedestrians 14

By December 31, 2020 15

2021 and Beyond 17

All photos courtesy of Getty Images, unless otherwise indicated
1

INTRODUCTION

People may have preferences when it comes to transportation, but at some point, everyone is a pedestrian Whether it 

is walking to a neighbor’s house, work, or school; accessing 

transit; shopping; or for exercising – walking is transportation However, in the last decade, there has been an increase 

in fatalities for this basic form of transportation 

The number one strategic goal for the U S Department 

of Transportation (USDOT) is safety The Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration (NHTSA) address pedestrian safety through a 

multipronged approach of 1) infrastructure to reduce conflicts 

between vehicles and pedestrians and provide safe places for 

people to walk; 2) vehicle safety; 3) research; 4) enforcement 

and judicial solutions; 5) data collection and analysis; and 6) 

education and outreach through behavioral safety programs Source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2010 Final 

File, NHTSA’s Preview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2019
2

To address the issue of pedestrian safety, FHWA 

Administrator Nicole R Nason and NHTSA Deputy 

Administrator James C Owens joined forces to 

release this action plan, which includes current and 

future ways to improve pedestrian safety across all 

USDOT modes The goal of the USDOT Pedestrian 

Safety Action Plan is to reduce pedestrian deaths 

and serious injuries To accomplish this goal, 

USDOT is taking a comprehensive approach that 

encompasses improvements to the roadway and 

surrounding environment, increased education on 

the shared responsibility of both pedestrians and 

motorists along with enforcement and adjudication of 

pedestrian safety laws 

The plan identifies what the Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation (OST), FHWA, NHTSA, the Federal 

Railroad Administration (FRA), the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the Pipeline 

and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 

(PHMSA) intend to accomplish in the next two years 

The Federal actions focus on the development or 

update of resources, tools, and plans; new and revised 

campaigns, programs, and initiatives; the creation or 

revision of curriculum; and new research to find better 

ways to improve pedestrian safety 

NHTSA and FHWA are also coordinating the development of the National Pedestrian Safety Partnership 

Plan (NPSPP) The NPSPP will bring together key 

stakeholders and U S DOT leadership to determine 

the vision for the future of pedestrian safety and 

describe the status of pedestrian safety today and 

how it could be in 2035 This stakeholder engagement 

and input is critical to creating a vision and framework for the Nation as a safe place for vulnerable 

road users 

The safety action plan and the partnership plan put 

the spotlight on pedestrian safety and boost efforts 

to reduce pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries 

nationwide The input on both of these plans will help 

identify opportunities and challenges in improving 

pedestrian safety along with lessons learned It will 

also expand the knowledge base on what is working in 

the area of pedestrian safety 

The goal of the USDOT Pedestrian 

Safety Action plan is to reduce 

pedestrian deaths and serious injuries.
3

UNDERSTANDING 

THE CHALLENGE

In keeping with a data-informed approach to problem solving, the following data represent areas where 

improvements can result in decreases in pedestrian fatalities. Specifically, identification of where pedestrian 

fatalities occur, who is more involved in these crashes, and the role of additional contributing factors such as 

alcohol, speed, and vehicle type all help to target successful mitigation treatments. At the time of this report, FARS 

data from NHTSA included the following: FARS 2010-2018, Final File; the 2018 Annual Report File (ARF) used for 

specific details; and the Preview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2019. Specific data such as month, age, etc. 

are not available for the preview which is why 2019 data does not appear in Figures 2-7 or Table 2. NHTSA’s Preview 

of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities shows a decline in total traffic fatalities including a reduction from 6,374 to 6,205 

in pedestrian fatalities from 2018 to 2019 (Source: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/

ViewPublication/813021). Figure 1 shows the number of annual pedestrian fatalities between 2010 and 2019. 

Photo courtesy of Scott Windley
4

Figure 1. Pedestrian Fatalities, 2010-2019

Source: FARS 2010 to 2018 Final File, NHTSA’s Preview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2019

There are a number of contributing factors for the increase in pedestrian fatalities While the trend cannot be 

attributed to a single factor, crashes involving pedestrians may involve reduced visibility caused by time of day 

or lighting, excessive vehicle speed, and pedestrians crossing against traffic signals, vehicle driver or pedestrian 

distraction, vehicle type and size, and driver and/or pedestrian impairment There also may be faulty roadway 

design or inadequate pedestrian facilities such as a lack of mid-block crossings or extended time at the crosswalk to make it easier to cross a street safely Unfortunately, when there is an incident involving a vehicle and a 

pedestrian, the impact is usually more serious for the pedestrian 

To underscore the seriousness of the problem, Table 1 shows the total number of traffic-related fatalities from 

2010 to 2019 compared to the total number of pedestrian fatalities during the same time period and what percentage those pedestrian deaths represent 

Table 1. Total Fatalities and Pedestrian Fatalities, 2010-2019

Year Total Fatalities

Pedestrian Fatalities

Number Percentage of Total Fatalities

2010 32,999 4,302 13%

2011 32,479 4,457 14%

2012 33,782 4,818 14%

2013 32,893 4,779 15%

2014 32,744 4,910 15%

2015 35,484 5,494 15%

2016 37,806 6,080 16%

2017 37,473 6,075 16%

2018 36,835 6,374 17%

2019 36,096 6,205 17%

Source: FARS 2010 to 2018 Final File,NHTSA’s Preview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2019
5

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

In their publication Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facts, 2018 Data, NHTSA identifies when and where the majority of 

pedestrian fatalities occur Figure 2 shows that in 2018, the majority of pedestrian fatalities happened in 

urban areas (81 percent), not at an intersection (74 percent), and when it is dark (76 percent).

Figure 2. Percentage of Pedestrian Fatalities in Relation to Land Use, 

Pedestrian Location, and Light Condition, 2018

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

*Based on location of pedestrian struck at the time of the crash. “Other” includes sidewalk, bicycle lane, median/crossing

island, parking lane/zone, shoulder/roadside, driveway access, shared-use path, and non-traffic area, which may or may not

have been at intersection, but were not distinguished by collected data. Thus, “At Intersection” and “Not at Intersection” do

not include those in the “Other” category that were at intersection or not at intersection.

Note: Percentages may not add up to 100 percent due to independent rounding. Unknowns were removed before calculating 

percentages.

Figure 3. Percentage of Pedestrian Fatalities, by Time of Day and 

Day of Week, 2018

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

*Weekday is Monday 6 a.m. to Friday 5:59 p.m.; weekend is Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 5:59 a.m.
6

Figure 3, also from the NHTSA 

Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facts, 2018 

Data, shows that in 2018, of those 

fatalities where the time of day and 

day of week is known, most pedestrian 

fatalities occurred between the hours 

of 6 p m to 11:59 p m 

As Figure 4 shows, the majority of 

pedestrian fatalities occur in the fall 

and winter months starting in October 

when these fatalities increase possibly due to the time change and fewer 

daylight hours 

Figure 4. Pedestrian Fatalities by Month, 2018

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

One third of pedestrian fatalities are individuals ages 50 to 69 (2,104), as shown in Table 2 However, of the total 

number of fatalities involving children age 14 and under, 17 percent were pedestrians 
7

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

Table 2. Total Killed and Pedestrians Killed in Traffic Crashes, 

by Age Group, 2018

Age Group Total Killed

Pedestrians Killed

Number Percentage of Total Killed

<5 344 63 18%

5-9 331 58 18%

10-14 363 60 17%

Children (≤14) 1,038 181 17%

15-19 2,318 227 10%

20-24 3,927 431 11%

25-29 3,688 482 13%

30-34 3,045 485 16%

35-39 2,690 501 19%

40-44 2,299 423 18%

45-49 2,548 485 19%

50-54 2,588 553 21%

55-59 2,889 608 21%

60-64 2,491 558 22%

65-69 1,934 385 20%

70-74 1,579 291 18%

75-79 1,304 238 18%

80+ 2,090 361 17%

Ages 65+ 6,907 1,275 18%

Total* 36,560 6,283 17%

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

*Includes fatalities of unknown age.
8

Figure 5. Pedestrian Fatalities by Roadway Function Class, 2018

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

Figure 5 shows that in 2018, the majority of pedestrian deaths occurred on arterial roadways (38 percent on a 

principal arterial and 21 percent on a minor arterial) 

Vehicle type also plays a role in pedestrian safety The increase in the popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) 

and light trucks may play a role in the increasing number of pedestrian fatalities as shown in Figure 6 The number of pedestrian fatalities where passenger cars, SUVs, or other light trucks were reported as the striking vehicle 

increased from 2009 to 2018 
9

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

Figure 6. Vehicle Types in Pedestrian Deaths, 2009-2018

Source: GAO Analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System Data using NHTSA classifications for vehicle body types, 

GAO-20-419

a

 NHTSA defines passenger cars as light vehicles such as sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, and convertibles that are designed 

primarily to transport eight or fewer persons.

b NHTSA defines SUVs or utility vehicles as multipurpose vehicles with increased ground clearance and strong frames, which 

are generally designed for carrying persons and off-road capabilities.

C NHTSA’s light trucks and vans definition includes light conventional trucks, such as pickup trucks and other vehicles 

designed with small passenger cabs, large hoods, and an open cargo area, van-based light trucks, such as minivans and 

other vehicles designed to maximize enclosed cargo and passenger areas, and other light trucks, which are based on conventional light pickup frames, but may include commercial or recreational vehicle body features.

Speeding is a key factor in the survivability of pedestrian crashes as shown in Figure 7 According to the AAA 

Foundation for Traffic Safety, the average risk of death for a pedestrian reaches 10 percent at an impact speed of 

23 mph, 25 percent at 32 mph, 50 percent at 42 mph, 75 percent at 50 mph, and 90 percent at 58 mph Risks vary 

significantly by age 
10

Figure 7. Vehicle Speed and Pedestrian Fatalities

Source: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Impact of Speed and a Pedestrian’s Risk of Severe Injury or Death, https://aaafoundation.org/impact-speed-pedestrians-risk-severe-injury-death/
11

ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE 

Some factors that are unique to pedestrian safety present challenges when it comes to solutions Unlike vehicles, there is currently not a consistent way to measure exposure to risk as it relates to pedestrians Exposure 

describes the frequency in which pedestrians are exposed to the risk of a crash with a vehicle The number of 

person trips is generally not collected There are some States and localities that are beginning to collect this 

information, but it is not widespread In addition to not having a way to measure risk, there are other problems associated with pedestrian safety including urban sprawl which can make it difficult for pedestrians to 

get around; poor links to transit; problems caused by weather conditions; and a general lack of safe, complete 

networks for pedestrians to use when they go about their daily travels 

FHWA, NHTSA, and other USDOT agencies are addressing these and other challenges while moving forward with 

efforts to improve pedestrian safety The USDOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan includes actions that will be completed in the near term (December 2020) and those that will be completed by December 2021 and beyond The 

plan also identifies those actions that fall under the safe system approach The safe system approach promotes 

a more forgiving transportation system that takes human vulnerability into account It caters to all the modes of 

transportation, including pedestrians and bicyclists 
12

To ensure the action plan comprehensively addresses a wide range of 

pedestrian concerns and issues, USDOT 

solicited input from stakeholders 

across the nation including State, local, 

regional, and Tribal agencies; national 

traffic safety and pedestrian safety 

organizations; universities; non-profit 

organizations; engineering and planning firms; activist groups; etc Their 

input was garnered through a variety 

of methods including the following:

• Input received via the USDOT Summit

on Pedestrian Safety web site 

• Presentations, poll questions and comments from the “Taking Action on Pedestrian Safety” Summit webinars

in July 2020 

• Comments sent to USDOT via email

STAKEHOLDER THEMES

Over 180 comments were received Each was reviewed and compared to the existing activities FHWA, NHTSA and 

other USDOT agencies included in the plan A review of these comments revealed several important themes: 

• Speed: Do a better job of setting speed limits; design roadways to encourage slower speeds; approve laws

and regulations including the use of speed cameras; and conduct more education on the dangers of speeding to change the cultural mindset that does not view speeding as a serious problem 

• Roadway Design: Support pedestrian safety through traffic calming; establish “no car” or slow zones; conduct

pedestrian safety audits; and implement Complete Streets policies 

• Technology: Support technology and new vehicle design, including connected and Automated Driving Systems

(ADS), that allow drivers to see pedestrians sooner and engage emergency braking systems when necessary 

• Funding: Address the lack of funding that prevents State and local governments from making needed pedestrian safety improvements 

Many of the themes are currently considered in the plan and a number of recommended programs and projects 

are either already ongoing or are planned Some of the feedback received, however, falls outside the purview of 

the Federal government and must be handled at the State or local level 
13

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

INPUT RECEIVED

FHWA, NHTSA, and other USDOT agencies received input across the components of the safe system Inputs were 

considered on the following:

• The mobility needs of persons with disabilities 

• Pedestrian safety on Tribal lands

• Pedestrian safety in rural areas where there is a lack of paved shoulders and limited horizontal and vertical

sight distance 

• Innovative intersection designs that can turn vehicle-centric designs into an intersection that balances the

crossing needs and safety of vehicular and non-vehicular traffic 

• A human factors approach that strengthens the understanding of all roadway user needs

• Increased collaboration among Federal, State, and local agencies

• The unique needs and concerns in work zones for both pedestrians who travel near these areas and the

workers in and around the work zone 

The intent of gathering and responding to input is to ensure the USDOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan is as 

comprehensive as possible FHWA, NHTSA, and the other USDOT agency partners will monitor plan progress to 

ensure pedestrian safety remains at the forefront of public attention 

FHWA, NHTSA, and the other USDOT agency partners will 

monitor implementation progress to ensure pedestrian 

safety remains at the forefront of public attention.
14

USDOT ACTIONS TO 

PREVENT HARMFUL 

CRASHES INVOLVING 

PEDESTRIANS
15

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

1 FHWA Update Pedestrian and Bicycle Road Safety Audit Guide to reflect the latest in 

safety information and innovative technology.

Y N N Y N Y Y N

2 FHWA Develop a pedestrian and bicycle Scalable Risk Assessment Methodology 

(ScRAM) to walk users through systemic safety planning process.

N N N Y N N N Y

3 FHWA Develop a Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) toolbox to lead 

stakeholders through the steps necessary to improve pedestrian crossing 

locations and to learn about all relevant available STEP and pedestrian safety 

materials.

Y N N Y N N Y N

4 FHWA Develop and deliver two

to increase the understanding of pedestrian crossing safety and what STEP 

countermeasures can be used to improve pedestrian safety by FHWA stakeholders, 

primarily engineering and design staffs at State and local DOTs.

 Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) campaigns Y N N Y N N Y N

5 FHWA Conduct a U.S. DOT Summit on Pedestrian Safety and produce a summary report

by inviting key stakeholders from across the U.S. to discuss ways to improve 

pedestrian safety and produce a report that summarizes the findings.

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

6 FHWA Produce a final short-term U.S. DOT Action Plan on Pedestrian Safety that targets 

actions over the next two years and beyond.

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

7 FHWA Create Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) STEM (Science, 

Technology, and Math) Lessons for K-8 grade students to advance pedestrian 

safety using engineering concepts and countermeasures.

N N N Y N N Y N

8 FHWA Develop State and MPO non-motorized safety targets by providing resources and 

tools to help States and MPOs set these annual targets.

Y N N N N N N Y

9 FHWA Produce a lighting design guide and implementation policy to promote 

pedestrian safety in an urban street environment (including lighting at walkways 

adjoining schools) that are applicable throughout the country.

Y N N Y N N N N

10 NHTSA Produce the Role of Law Enforcement in Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety: An 

Idea Book to describe ways in which law enforcement plays a role in addressing 

pedestrian safety including non-traditional examples and pro-active efforts for 

law enforcement to conduct at the community level.

N Y N N N N Y N

11 NHTSA Provide a community-based bicyclist and pedestrian behavioral safety 

assessment to include a tool, manual and data analyzer for communities 

to assess their pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and identify local 

recommendations; conduct the initial pilot in ten high-risk pedestrian injury 

communities in the NHTSA regions.

N Y N Y Y Y Y Y

12 NHTSA Conduct Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (P-AEB) test procedures to 

evaluate daytime and nighttime P-AEB performance. (NHTSA released a Request 

for Comment (RFC) to solicit input on these draft test procedures; stakeholder 

input is under solicitation and will be considered and the procedures.

N N Y N N N N N

Complete by December 31, 2020
16

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

13 FHWA Continue Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (EDC4/5) to help transportation 

agencies address pedestrian crashes by promoting cost-effective countermeasures 

that have known safety benefits including Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB), pedestrian refuge islands, leading pedestrian intervals and road diets, raised crosswalks, 

crosswalk visibility enhancements, rectangular rapid flashing beacon, etc.

Y N Y Y N Y N N

14 FHWA Create a comprehensive, five-year Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program 

Strategic Plan for FHWA’s pedestrian and bicycle safety program.

Y N Y Y N Y Y N

15 FHWA Develop three Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) short videos (3-5 

minutes) to market the benefits of STEP Countermeasures with the first focusing 

on the rectangular rapid flashing beacon, the second video a white board 

presentation, and the last on the STEP Campaign—Design Like It.

Y N N Y N N Y N

16 FHWA Identify, develop and promote speed management noteworthy practices that are 

carried out by States and localities to reduce speed-related fatalities and cover 

topics such as setting appropriate speed limits for all roadway users and countermeasures that slow traffic down.

Y N N Y N Y N N

17 NHTSA Develop and conduct a Pedestrian and Bicyclist Bystander Care Initiative to 

include informational and marketing materials that educate stakeholders and 

consumers on bystander care safety tips.

N N N N N Y N N

18 NHTSA Conduct a pedestrian and bicyclist safety literature review to improve the state 

of knowledge and understand pedestrian/bicycle safety’s relationship to traffic 

safety.

N N N N N Y Y Y

19 NHTSA Investigate the effect of electronic device use on pedestrian safety by determining 

pedestrian and driver use and the magnitude of the involvement of electronic 

device use in pedestrian-involved motor vehicle conflicts.

N N N N N Y Y Y

20 NHTSA Evaluate New Child Pedestrian Curriculum to determine effectiveness and impact. N N N N N N Y Y

21 NHTSA Launch a Pedestrian Safety Month with media and marketing materials promoting 

pedestrian safety and how State and local efforts support the effort.

N Y N N N Y Y N

22 FHWA Test Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) communications that can sense the environment 

around them and communicate that information to other vehicles, infrastructure, 

and to personal mobile devices.

N N Y Y N N N Y

23 FHWA/

NHTSA

Update Speed Management Program Plan (SMPP)/Automated Speed 

Enforcement to reflect current and promising new strategies that address speed 

related motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

N N N N N Y N N

24 OST Determine the potential to estimate pedestrian and bicyclist crash rates through 

a case study that integrates data from the City of Philadelphia with private sector 

Streetlight data that includes pedestrian and bicycle volumes.

N N N N N N N Y

25 FHWA Develop a pedestrian count model that can predict pedestrian volumes at 

locations without this information through the Exploration of Pedestrian Safety 

Through the Integration of HSIS and Emerging Data Sources: Case Study in 

Charlotte, NC.

N N Y Y N Y N Y
17

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

26 FHWA Support and distribute Implementing A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP), which 

provides strategies local agencies and States have used to overcome barriers and 

challenges to successfully implement their plans, including pedestrian safety. LRSP 

is an FHWA proven safety countermeasure that provides a framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements on local roads. 

Y Y N Y N Y Y Y

27 FHWA Distribute and support A Handbook of Human and Roadway Interaction for Local 

and Tribal Roads, which provides information on how road user actions affect road 

safety and how to apply this information. This document defines and describes 

some useful human factors principles, and supplies information about using the 

principles to improve safety. An entire section dedicated to Pedestrian Safety.

Y Y N Y N Y Y Y

28 FHWA Provide technical assistance for pedestrian and bicycle safety programs through 

“on-call” services, training, and peer exchanges in support of the pedestrian and 

bicycle safety programs.

Y N N Y Y Y N Y

29 FHWA Foster innovation in Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Pooled Fund Study, 

which focuses on bicycle and pedestrian network planning, safety, and design 

issues, by addressing short term research needs of interest to the practitioner 

community. Participants will decide on a new round of projects to be funded by 

the pooled fund by December 2020.

Y N N Y N Y N N

30 FHWA Continue the National Highway Institute’s pedestrian safety courses in the classroom and virtual offerings that address topics such as Developing a Pedestrian 

Safety Action Plan, Designing for Pedestrian Safety, and Modern Roundabouts: 

Intersections Designed for Safety. 

N N N Y N N Y N
18

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

31 FHWA 

NHTSA

In collaboration with NHTSA, update Pedestrian and Bike Crash Analysis Tool 

(PBCAT), a crash typing software that improves walking and bicycling safety 

through the development and analysis of a database containing details on motor 

vehicle and pedestrian/bicycle crashes.

N N N N N N N Y

32 FHWA Update systemic safety analysis training to include a pedestrian module along with 

a discussion and case study that focuses on risk factors identified in NCHRP 893, 

Systemic Pedestrian Safety Analysis.

N N N Y N N Y N

33 FHWA Conduct a global benchmarking study on pedestrian safety to learn from other 

countries how they successfully address pedestrian safety on urban signalized 

arterials.

Y N N Y N N Y N

34 NHTSA Update Countermeasures That Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasures Guide 

for State Highway Safety Offices particularly the countermeasures for pedestrians 

in Chapter 8 and bicyclists in Chapter 9. (Updated biennially, 10th edition Winter 

2020)

N Y N N N Y Y N

35 FHWA Plan for multimodal networks in a connected and automated vehicle future by 

conducting research and describing scenarios on how pedestrian and bicycle 

network planning may change as deployment of this technology becomes more 

widespread.

Y Y Y Y Y Y N N

36 FHWA Produce a guide on effective selection of crosswalk patterns to help practitioners 

prioritize where the placement of high-visibility crosswalks would be most effective.

N N N Y N N Y N

37 FHWA Update Pedestrian Safety Guide for Transit Agencies using customer feedback to 

provide the most recent information and include bicycle accommodation.

N N N Y N N N N

38 NHTSA, 

FHWA

Develop a National Pedestrian Safety Partnership Plan with stakeholder involvement that is targeted at reducing pedestrian fatalities in the next 10 years.

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

39 NHTSA Develop a new Statewide Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Program Assessment

process that reviews elements of a State’s program and provides recommendations 

for improvement; include an online and in-person review process utilizing national 

subject matter experts.

N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

40 NHTSA Develop law enforcement trainings on bicycle and pedestrian safety with input 

from law enforcement reflecting current issues and cultural changes.

N Y N N N N N N

41 NHTSA Examine the impact safety in numbers, i.e., more pedestrians and bicyclists on the 

roads, has on crash rates from a literature and programmatic perspective.

N N N N N Y Y Y

42 NHTSA Identify discrepancies in how new pedestrian and bicycle facilities are designed 

to be used versus how they are actually used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists 

by examining knowledge of proper facility use, enforcement efforts, and documentation of available educational resources and initiatives.

N N N N N Y Y N

2021 and beyond
19

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

43 NHTSA Develop a CIRED (Crash Injury Research) trauma center-based crash data collection program by modernizing pedestrian crash data collection protocols, 

and collecting data on a small number of pedestrian crashes in a pilot study to 

determine feasibility of different approaches in obtaining detailed and relevant 

pedestrian crash data to support research needs.

N N Y N N Y Y Y

44 NHTSA Finalize rulemaking for Adaptive Driving Beam Headlamps (ADB) and encourage 

improved lower beam headlighting performance to increase seeing distance for 

drivers in certain conditions without increasing glare levels, including the ability to 

see other road users.

N N Y N N N N N

45 NHTSA Publish a Federal Register notice in 2020 that will seek comment on planned 

upgrades to the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), including new technologies 

expected to contribute to the safety of pedestrians.

N N Y N N N N N

46 PHMSA, 

FHWA, 

FRA, 

NHTSA

Produce a streamlined test protocol and testbed for public and private institutions to evaluate public safety awareness technologies that mitigate risks in the 

transportation system; use pedestrian trespass on railroads as a case example for 

the test protocol. This collaborative effort is in response to the National Petroleum 

Council’s recommendation that the DOT should create an agile pathway for 

evaluation and regulatory acceptance of new technologies that can improve transportation safety and shorten the research, deployment, and adoption cycle time.

N N N N N N Y N

47 FHWA Build upon efforts to advance data-informed decision-making using continuous 

friction measurement (CFM) as the state of the practice in the U.S. in combination 

with a friction management framework to address safety performance at locations 

where there is a higher demand for friction such as intersections and approaches 

to crosswalks.

N N N Y N N N N

48 FHWA Assess, with NCHRP, the current state of practice of pedestrian and bicycle planning, 

design, and operational issues at alternative intersections, synthesize design 

guidance, and compile them into a comprehensive reference on how to effectively 

and safely accommodate pedestrians and bicycles at innovative intersections.

N N N Y N N Y N

49 FHWA Develop Pedestrian-Intersection Crash Modification Factors by determining the 

safety effectiveness of medium to low-cost pedestrian engineering countermeasures in reducing non-motorist fatalities and injuries at controlled intersections 

specifically the study of the corner radius utilizing crashes and right-turning 

speeds in the evaluation.

N N N Y N N N Y

50 NHTSA Depict the highest risk behaviors by motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists utilizing 

crash animation videos in drivers’ education courses.

N N N N N N Y N

51 FHWA Conduct a safety study on the pedestrian crossing warning MUTCD W11-2 sign 

or the school crossing warning sign with embedded light emitting diodes (LEDs) 

that can be applied at uncontrolled pedestrian crossing locations (mid-block and 

unsignalized intersections).

N N N Y N N N Y
20

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

52 OST Develop and implement a data analytics and visualization dashboard using 

mobile device location data to better understand pedestrian travel volumes and 

their exposure to risk through a partnership with the Maryland Department of 

Transportation State Highway Administration.

Y N N N N N N Y

53 OST Refine and expand USDOT’s existing Pedestrian Fatality Risk Map through a partnership with the City of New Orleans, Louisiana to help the City make defined, targeted 

decisions around small-area and corridor-level investments with the greatest potential to prevent serious injuries and fatalities for vulnerable road users.

Y Y N Y N N N Y

54 FHWA Develop Supplement to the Intersection Informational Guide Series: Designing 

Intersections for Walking and Bicycling to the various intersection informational 

reports and guides developed and published by FHWA

Y N N Y N Y N N

55 FHWA Provide technical support to counties, cities, and Tribal nations that are experiencing fatal and serious injury crashes on their roads, including pedestrian-related 

crashes through the Local and Rural Safety Technical Assistance Program.

Y N N Y N Y Y Y

56 FHWA Conduct research on responder and other roadside worker safety and observational studies on Move-Over Law compliance and by studying various technologies, 

including movable barriers, to assess their effectiveness in protecting first responders and improving safety for roadside workers.

Y N N Y N Y N Y

57 FHWA Conduct safety evaluations of innovative intersection designs for pedestrians and 

bicyclists for three retrofitting designs that can turn a large at grade intersection 

(vehicle centric design) into a bicyclist/pedestrian friendly combo intersection that 

balances the crossing needs and safety of both vehicular and non-motorized traffic demands. This project is in the evaluation site selection phase, and is expected 

to be completed in September 2022.

Y N N Y N Y N Y

58 FHWA Establish a Human Factors Laboratory to improve transportation safety by 

strengthening the understanding of user needs and making recommendations for

roadway design, signing, and advanced transportation technology. It includes a 

variety of state-of-the-art tools, including a Virtual Reality Laboratory, used to conduct 

behavioral research on drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, and other road users.

Y N N Y N N Y N

59 FHWA Conduct a Traffic Control Device (TCD) Consortium Pooled Fund Study (PFS) by 

assembling a consortium composed of regional, state, and local entities; appropriate organizations; and the FHWA to facilitate collaboration and information 

sharing among members; identify human factors and operational issues related 

to TCDs, including pedestrians; select and evaluate new and existing TCDs; initiate 

and monitor research projects; and disseminate results.

Y N N Y N N N N

60 FHWA Conduct an evaluation of aesthetically treated crosswalks to determine the 

impact they have on motorists’ and pedestrians’ recognition and behavior at 

crosswalks, including pedestrians with low vision.

Y N N Y Y N N N
21

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

61 FHWA Provide support to the National Center for Excellence for Rural Road Safety 

whose role is to facilitate training and educational exchange, as well as provide 

technology transfer and deployment to rural practitioners to improve the overall 

understanding of roadway safety data and analysis, safety effectiveness evaluations, and investment decision making in the areas of rural safety and surface 

transportation safety including pedestrians.

Y N N Y N Y Y Y

62 OST Establish the U.S. DOT Pedestrian and Bicyclist Coordinating Committee to 

monitor progress in bicycle and pedestrian safety and use; identify new crossmodal opportunities and partnerships with outside entities to advance pedestrian 

and bicycle transportation; and communicate, coordinate, and share information 

across Operating Administrations within U.S. DOT on pedestrian and bicycle transportation activities.

N N N N N N Y N

63 FHWA Finalize updates to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to 

address advances in traffic control device design and placement.

Y N N Y Y Y N N

64 FHWA Work with the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF) which shares an 

eligibility list with the highway safety improvement program, the TTPSF provides 

competitive grant funding to tribal governments to address transportation safety 

needs, including pedestrians. The fund was created under MAP-21 and carried 

forward to the FAST act.

N N N N N N Y N

65 FHWA Support the Tribal Transportation Strategic Safety Plan, which was originally 

developed in response to a report to Congress required by the FAST Act. The FHWA 

Office of Tribal Transportation Safety Engineer chairs a committee of multiple 

Federal program offices that continuously update this plan, which covers pedestrian safety.

N N N N N N Y N

66 FHWA Collaborate with the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) to provide an updated Pedestrians Checklist and Considerations for Temporary Traffic 

Control to consider during planning, design, and construction phases for a project. 

The checklist and considerations are designed to enhance pedestrian safety and 

accessibility, maintain Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) compliance, and 

provide positive guidance to avoid pedestrian confusion throughout each phase.

Y N N Y N Y N N

67 FHWA Collaborate with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association 

(ARTBA) on a Pedestrian Safety in Work Zone Learning Module. In this module, 

participants will learn how pedestrians, including the disabled, should be considered and provided for during the development and implementation of the traffic 

control plan.

N N N Y N N Y N

68 FHWA Collaborate with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association 

(ARTBA) on a Pedestrian Fatalities in Work Zones project. ARTBA is currently working 

with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on a work 

zone data analysis project to get a better understanding of worker vs. pedestrian 

fatalities and related causation. This initiative will compare the two national fatality databases to better understand how highway worker-on-foot fatalities due to 

collisions by traffic and by vehicles associated with the work zone are (or are not) 

captured in each database.

Y N N Y N N Y N
22

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

69 FHWA Conduct an Ensuring Access for All Around New and Innovative Multimodal 

Facilities project with a literature review of past and in-process research projects 

to identify issues and design solutions that ensure full accessibility of new and 

innovative multimodal facilities.

Y N N Y N N N N

70 FHWA Update the safety chapter in the Federal Lands Highway Project Development 

and Design Manual (PDDM) to include current pedestrian and bicycle safety 

considerations.

N N N Y N N N N

71 FHWA Conduct research on Ensuring Safe Interactions Between Pedestrians and 

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) in Complex Urban Settings to determine the state of CAV readiness to make decisions in complex and hazardous 

urban environments that maximize the safety of pedestrians and other VRUs. The 

research will also identify and recommend CAV practices that anticipate, recognize 

and safely adapt to the presence of and simultaneous actions taken by pedestrians and other VRUs in complex urban settings.

N N Y Y N N N N

72 FHWA Update the Guide for Maintaining Pedestrian Facilities for Enhanced Safety, which 

addresses the needs for pedestrian facility maintenance; common maintenance 

issues; inspection, accessibility, and compliance; maintenance measurers; funding; 

and construction techniques to reduce future maintenance.

N N N Y N N N N

73 FHWA Support Reaching Zero Deaths Together by helping State, regional, local, and 

Tribal agencies work toward zero traffic deaths for all road users, by providing 

technical assistance and facilitating the application of the Safe System and safety 

culture approaches.

N Y N N N N Y N

74 NHTSA Continue to conduct Data Collection and Analysis using annual FARS data on 

vulnerable road users. 

N N N N N N N Y

75 NHTSA Annually update Traffic Safety Facts for Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Motorcyclists. N N N N N N N Y

76 NHTSA Produce a Research Note on the Geographic Summary of Traffic Fatalities when 

annual FARS data are released.

N N N N N N N Y

77 NHTSA Promote data-driven programs to address vulnerable road user safety by providing 

technical assistance on awareness campaigns, training and education, and 

enforcement efforts.

N Y N N N N Y Y

78 NHTSA Participate in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) processes (with modal 

partners) to ensure vulnerable road users needs are considered and addressed 

with data-driven, proven or innovative countermeasures.

N N N N N N Y Y

79 NHTSA Support states that have adopted Vision Zero/Road to Zero policies. N Y N N N N Y N

80 NHTSA Investigate whether vehicle countermeasures designed to address head and leg 

injuries, which are the most common type of injuries, are also effective in mitigating pedestrian thorax injuries.

N N Y N N N N N
23

USDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACTION PLAN 

# Agency Activity

Safe System Approach

Improved 

Mobility Options

Enforcement, Laws 

and Regulations

Vehicle Design 

and Technology

Street Design 

and Engineering

Land Use 

Planning

Speed 

Management

Education and 

Capacity Building

Data and 

Evaluation

81 NHTSA Conduct a study to determine the usability of automated technologies and 

products inside and outside the vehicle for individuals with disabilities and 

vulnerable road users utilizing user needs analysis, participatory design, empirical 

research and interface approaches.

Y N Y N N N N N

82 NHTSA Continue research on pedestrian crash safety to improve test tools used in testing and 

evaluating crash avoidance (pre-crash-avoiding/reducing the speed) and crashworthiness (post-crash-passive for injury mitigation, e.g., more pedestrian-friendly 

frontal structures) safety countermeasures and to harmonize these test tools and 

associated procedures with international counterparts.

N N Y N N Y N N

83 FHWA Continue support for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, which includes 

non-motorized transportation performance measures; state Strategic Highway 

Safety Plans; implementation and evaluation of projects, including ones that 

address pedestrian safety strategies and activities, using a data-driven roadway 

safety management process.

N Y N Y N N N N

84 FHWA Produce a quarterly Pedestrian and Bike Forum newsletter that highlights recent 

pedestrian and bicycle safety activities undertaken by the U.S. DOT.

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

85 FHWA Provide technical assistance to pedestrian and bicyclist focus states and cities

through funding for a peer-to-peer Exchange, quarterly webinars, more technical 

assistance and training to focus States and cities.

Y N N Y N N Y N

86 FHWA Produce a Multimodal Connectivity Newsletter that provides transportation 

professionals with real-world examples of ways that multimodal transportation 

investments promote economic revitalization, provide access to jobs, and achieve 

safer communities through support of accelerated project delivery, technology and 

design innovation, and public/private partnerships.

N N N N N N Y N

87 FHWA Produce a Human Environment Newsletter to share the latest information from 

Federal and non-Federal sources on transportation and its relationship to the 

human environment including accelerated project delivery, access to jobs, and 

community revitalization; technology and design innovation; and accountability 

through the use of data-driven decisions and performance-based planning.

N N N N N N Y N

88 FHWA/

NHTSA

Co-sponsor the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, which develops, 

synthesizes, promotes and distributes accurate and current bicycling and walking 

information; provides expert technical assistance to various audiences to ensure 

that citizens and professionals have access to the best available information; and 

generates a network of informed individuals and organizations who can increase the 

exposure of pedestrian/bicycle issues to the general public.

N N N N N N Y Y

89 FHWA Update Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection (Pedsafe) to make 

it current with the latest technology, research and data on countermeasures; 

update case studies and add new ones as appropriate.

Y N Y N N Y N N

90 FMCSA Support the Our Roads, Our Safety campaign that educates all drivers, cyclists and 

pedestrians about operational challenges large trucks and buses face, and simple 

actions everyone can take to help improve safety on America’s roadways.

N N N N N Y N N