Governors Highway Safety Association
The States' Voice on Highway Safety

Communicating Safe Behavior Practices to Vulnerable Road Users (BTS-13)

Crosswalk
Federal Research Projects
January 1, 2020

This study examined the safety problems and domains with the highest potential for vulnerable road user safety improvement based on the factors that contribute to crashes and the factors that can be mitigated by behavioral changes.

Project Overview

Vulnerable road users (VRUs) include pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, all of whom lack the basic safety protections provided to vehicle occupants by automobiles. Fatality rates for VRUs remain unacceptably high. To meaningfully improve roadway safety for VRUs, it is important to understand the safety problems and domains with the highest potential for improvement based on the factors that contribute to crashes and the factors that can be mitigated by behavioral changes.

Related Issues

Bicyclists, Pedestrians & Micromobility

Related Resources

Federal Research Projects
Term raw: Federal Research Projects | Slug: federal-research-projects
June 24, 2025

Assessing Effects of Speed Camera Programs on Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes (BTS-47)

The objectives of this research are to (1) develop an understanding of the effects of speed camera programs on pedestrian and bicycle crashes, and (2) provide guidance for jurisdictions to measure effects of speed camera programs on pedestrian and bicycle crashes, including downstream effects beyond speed camera locations. The research should consider fine structures, payment of fines, and in which contexts speed cameras may be most effective. Findings can be used states and jurisdictions (1) to help decide if and where to implement speed cameras most effectively to target vulnerable road user crashes and (2) to communicate the benefits of speed cameras to the public.
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