[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/blog\/how-crosswalk-design-affects-pedestrian-safety-findings-from-recent-research\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/blog\/how-crosswalk-design-affects-pedestrian-safety-findings-from-recent-research\/","headline":"How Crosswalk Design Affects Pedestrian Safety: Findings from Recent Research","name":"How Crosswalk Design Affects Pedestrian Safety: Findings from Recent Research","description":"Recent research indicates that crosswalk and intersection design significantly impact pedestrian safety.\u00a0Poor crossing designs\u00a0can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents. However, transportation officials have begun implementing new design features that may improve pedestrian safety at crosswalks and intersections. Why Pedestrian Crashes Happen and Risk Trends Unfortunately,\u00a0pedestrian accident\u00a0rates in the United States have increased in recent […]","datePublished":"2023-08-31","dateModified":"2025-10-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/blog\/author\/davidresnick\/#Person","name":"David Resnick & Associates, P.C.","url":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/blog\/author\/davidresnick\/","identifier":12,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9a3013950d41a44d6b0e6763649a50fe204ed95d3b6159870ec7dc3bb33ff2c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9a3013950d41a44d6b0e6763649a50fe204ed95d3b6159870ec7dc3bb33ff2c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"David Resnick & Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/david-resnick-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/david-resnick-logo.png","width":287,"height":87}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/pedestrian-768x497-1.webp","url":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/pedestrian-768x497-1.webp","height":497,"width":768},"url":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/blog\/how-crosswalk-design-affects-pedestrian-safety-findings-from-recent-research\/","about":["Slip and Fall Accidents"],"wordCount":542,"articleBody":"Recent research indicates that crosswalk and intersection design significantly impact pedestrian safety.\u00a0Poor crossing designs\u00a0can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents.However, transportation officials have begun implementing new design features that may improve pedestrian safety at crosswalks and intersections.Why Pedestrian Crashes Happen and Risk TrendsUnfortunately,\u00a0pedestrian accident\u00a0rates in the United States have increased in recent years. According to the\u00a0Governors Highway Safety Administration, over\u00a07,342 pedestrian fatalities\u00a0occurred in one recent year, accounting for 17 percent of all traffic fatalities. This is a 13 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities from the previous year and the most significant number of pedestrian fatalities nationwide in over 40 years.Pedestrian crashes usually occur due to safety issues\u00a0at intersections and motorist negligence. Some of the most critical safety issues contributing to pedestrian crashes include\u00a0conflicts at crossing locations, insufficient pedestrian separation from traffic, excessive speed limits, and inadequate pedestrian visibility.Examples of driver negligence that cause pedestrian accidents include:SpeedingReckless driving, including swerving around stopped or slow trafficDistracted driving, especially\u00a0using a cell phone while drivingDriving under the influence of alcohol or drugsDrowsy drivingRunning red lights\u00a0or stop signsDisregarding yield signs or lights at crosswalksFailing to slow down\u00a0when approaching a crosswalk or intersectionResearch on Crosswalk DesignTraffic safety experts have identified improved intersection and crosswalk design features that may help reduce pedestrian accident rates. The Federal Highway Administration\u00a0(FHWA) has found that uncontrolled intersections, or intersections without traffic lights and signs, have higher rates of pedestrian accidents. The FHWA recommends various countermeasures that states and localities can implement at intersections and road crossings to improve pedestrian safety.These countermeasures include:High visibility crosswalk markingsRestrictions to street parking near a crosswalk or intersectionImproved lighting, especially at nightSignage warning drivers of an upcoming intersection or crosswalk and advising them to stop at a stop line or yield to pedestriansIn-street pedestrian signsCurb extensions that improve sight distance between drivers and pedestriansRaised crosswalks, which allow pedestrians to cross at a constant grade and force drivers to slow down as they approach the crosswalkPedestrian refuge islands at wider intersectionsPedestrian hybrid beacons or rapid-flashing beacons\u201cRoad diets\u201d that reconfigure road lanes to reduce the width of the road and shorten pedestrian crossingsExamples of NYC Pedestrian Safety Improvements in Recent YearsIn New York City, the transportation department has undertaken\u00a0various projects\u00a0to improve pedestrian safety at intersections. Many projects involve renovations to intersections to install features that help calm vehicular traffic, such as plastic bollards, rubber speed bumps, and curb extensions. Other improvements include relocating stop lines and crosswalks and painting pedestrian spaces.Various intersections will also receive new left-turn lanes or shortened pedestrian crossings. Updated traffic signals and traffic control signage at specific crosswalks prioritize pedestrians. The city has installed bus boarding islands at various bus stops and designated dedicated bus lanes on various streets.Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney TodayIf you\u2019ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, turn to a\u00a0pedestrian accident lawyer in NYC\u00a0from\u00a0David Resnick & Associates, P.C.\u00a0We can help you pursue compensation and accountability from the driver who hit you.\u00a0Contact us today\u00a0for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Crosswalk Design Affects Pedestrian Safety: Findings from Recent Research","item":"https:\/\/www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com\/blog\/how-crosswalk-design-affects-pedestrian-safety-findings-from-recent-research\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]