Objectives

The objectives of this project are to provide guidance to policy makers to promote walking in urban areas. This project will help countries develop more pedestrian-friendly policies and urban spaces which promote health and safety and also help achieve the lower road fatality targets set by 2010-2012.

Following an analysis of pedestrians' needs as well as safety, mobility and health data, the project will describe interventions to be implemented by decision makers in the short- to medium-term, to improve walking conditions in the cities of OECD/ITF countries. The focus will be on concrete and manageable interventions that are actionable to decision makers and take into account the current development in urban areas (city centres, residential areas, peripheries). The project will, in particular, highlight best practices in the following areas:

• Urban planning
• Traffic regulations and enforcement
• Mobility policy, planning and integration
• Security issues
• Speed moderation
• Education and communication
• Urban space and infrastructure design
• Health policy

Participating Countries

The Working Group is chaired by Mr. Thanos VLASTOS (University of Athens, Greece).
The following countries have nominated an expert to the working group: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States.

Calendar

The Working Group on Pedestrian Safety, Urban Space and Health started in 2008 and a final report is expected to be published in 2010. Two meetings were held in 2008 and two working meetings will be held in 2009.

A concluding Seminar is planned to be held in the Hague, Netherlands, in 2010, in conjunction with the WALK21 Conference and the concluding European COST 358 project conference.

For further information, please contact: Véronique FEYPELL