Publication Details

Primer on safe system approach for pedestrians and bicyclists

Type: Paper

Author(s): Goughnour, Elissa; Peach, Kara; Dunn, Michael; Mitman, Meghan Fehlig; Gelinne, Dan

Pages: 29

Publisher: Federal Highway Administration

Url: https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/docs/fhwasa21065.pdf

Publication Date: May-2021

Number: FHWA-SA-21-065

Address: Washington, DC

Abstract: Historically, crashes have been viewed as the result of an error on the part of the individual roadway user—a law or rule was broken, a wrong decision made. The Safe System approach acknowledges that humans make mistakes and, importantly, are vulnerable to the forces that occur during a crash. By focusing on eliminating fatal and serious injuries the Safe System approach inherently places a priority on pedestrians and bicyclists, who are at a higher risk of fatal or serious injury than a person driving or traveling in a motor vehicle. The purpose of this primer is to provide transportation agencies a baseline understanding of the Safe System approach and how it relates to bicycle and pedestrian safety.