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Keeping out of Trouble: Marked Uncontrolled Crosswalks and Liability in the U.S. (breakout presentation)
Abstracts / Journal of Transport & Health 7 (2017) S4–S87
S69
Associate) will share the experience of a program funded by the US DOT to support training and technical assistance for the US cities with the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities. An assessment of those cities’ reveals lessons for others seeking to respond to safety problems. Mr. Gelinne will also share the experience of the Walk Friendly Communities program, a national initiative that provides a comprehensive assessment of a city’s pedestrian programs and initiatives. Implications: Drawing upon what they have learned throughout these efforts, Mr. LaJeunesse and Mr. Gelinne will share those elements that make up high quality pedestrian programs while inspiring attendees to think critically about how to create communities that serve pedestrians of all ages and abilities. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2017.11.111
Keeping out of Trouble: Marked Uncontrolled Crosswalks and Liability in the U.S. (breakout presentation) Rock Miller Stantec Consulting, USA
Background: For decades, traffic engineers have resisted using markings at uncontrolled crosswalks due to safety and liability concerns. While recent safety studies have greatly improved our understanding of risk to pedestrians and developed countermeasures, collisions with pedestrians continue to happen at marked crosswalks. Concerns over continuing liability has inhibited the greater use of marked crosswalks to enhance pedestrian mobility. Aims: The presenter will give recent examples of how agencies can overcome reluctance to use effective traffic controls, how knowledge of legacy crosswalk studies and lack of knowledge of recent studies has affected their judgement, and how effective defense of well-thought and properly designed infrastructure should minimize concerns based upon real-life examples. Method: The presenter, Rock Miller, participated in crosswalk safety research in the 1990s and has followed its evolution closely as the volume of academic research has expanded greatly. Rock now regularly works with public agencies in California on litigation of marked crosswalks. Agencies are still frequently sued and often go to trial with millions of dollars at stake, but they rarely result in large judgements against the agency, when knowledgeable and effective defenses are provided. Results: Some early defense techniques are very successful at limiting risk in this type of situation. But many cases go to trial due to the extent of injuries. High demands and laws dictating exposure to liability result in great concern over continued usage, but trial results may not justify the level of concern. Conclusions: In high liability government environments, lawsuits should be expected. But the potential safety benefits of effective safety treatments for pedestrians should not be inhibited due to liability concerns. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2017.11.112
S5:03 Walking Challenges for Canadian Cities Adaptation of the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale for use in Northern Climates: The NEWS-North (breakout presentation) Trista Takacs, Sean Pearce, Elizabeth Kristjansson School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Canada
S69
Associate) will share the experience of a program funded by the US DOT to support training and technical assistance for the US cities with the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities. An assessment of those cities’ reveals lessons for others seeking to respond to safety problems. Mr. Gelinne will also share the experience of the Walk Friendly Communities program, a national initiative that provides a comprehensive assessment of a city’s pedestrian programs and initiatives. Implications: Drawing upon what they have learned throughout these efforts, Mr. LaJeunesse and Mr. Gelinne will share those elements that make up high quality pedestrian programs while inspiring attendees to think critically about how to create communities that serve pedestrians of all ages and abilities. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2017.11.111
Keeping out of Trouble: Marked Uncontrolled Crosswalks and Liability in the U.S. (breakout presentation) Rock Miller Stantec Consulting, USA
Background: For decades, traffic engineers have resisted using markings at uncontrolled crosswalks due to safety and liability concerns. While recent safety studies have greatly improved our understanding of risk to pedestrians and developed countermeasures, collisions with pedestrians continue to happen at marked crosswalks. Concerns over continuing liability has inhibited the greater use of marked crosswalks to enhance pedestrian mobility. Aims: The presenter will give recent examples of how agencies can overcome reluctance to use effective traffic controls, how knowledge of legacy crosswalk studies and lack of knowledge of recent studies has affected their judgement, and how effective defense of well-thought and properly designed infrastructure should minimize concerns based upon real-life examples. Method: The presenter, Rock Miller, participated in crosswalk safety research in the 1990s and has followed its evolution closely as the volume of academic research has expanded greatly. Rock now regularly works with public agencies in California on litigation of marked crosswalks. Agencies are still frequently sued and often go to trial with millions of dollars at stake, but they rarely result in large judgements against the agency, when knowledgeable and effective defenses are provided. Results: Some early defense techniques are very successful at limiting risk in this type of situation. But many cases go to trial due to the extent of injuries. High demands and laws dictating exposure to liability result in great concern over continued usage, but trial results may not justify the level of concern. Conclusions: In high liability government environments, lawsuits should be expected. But the potential safety benefits of effective safety treatments for pedestrians should not be inhibited due to liability concerns. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2017.11.112
S5:03 Walking Challenges for Canadian Cities Adaptation of the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale for use in Northern Climates: The NEWS-North (breakout presentation) Trista Takacs, Sean Pearce, Elizabeth Kristjansson School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Canada