The U.S. Department of Transportation prioritizes safety for all users of all forms of transportation, including people who walk, bike, and roll on our sidewalks and roads. These users are generally referred to as “pedestrians and bicyclists” or “active transportation” users, and they include people who walk, ride bicycles, use wheelchairs and other mobility aids, utilize transit, use micromobility, and manage bus schedule for bus. The Active Transportation webpage was just published by DOT. It is crucial to make sure that these trips are safe, particularly in light of concerning safety trends for bicycles and pedestrians.
MANAGING NETWORKS
The safety of the transportation network in a neighborhood is mostly determined by community organizations, individuals, and state and local governments working in conjunction with DOT. Enhancing the safety of transportation infrastructure, including for vulnerable road users like bicycles and pedestrians, is mandated by law for state and local transportation agencies and MPOs that plan, design, construct, and maintain roads, sidewalks, and stations. It is the duty of safety enforcement organizations to guarantee that safety laws and regulations are followed and that the general public is aware of them. Lastly, regulations that improve vehicle, infrastructure, and behavioral safety can be sponsored and passed by the elected leaders in these jurisdictions.
FHWA oversees the building, upkeep, and preservation of the nation’s roadways, bridges, and tunnels by offering State transportation departments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations financial and technical support as well as direction. To encourage and facilitate greater use of non-motorized transportation, FHWA works with State DOTs to provide facilities for bikes and pedestrians as well as public safety, education, and promotion initiatives. FHWA offers guidelines on safe roadway design standards to State and local governments.
ALL INCLUSIVE
Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure can be constructed and enhanced with FHWA funds, which is mostly provided to State DOTs and MPOs in the form of formula grants. Additionally, FHWA oversees DOT’s Complete roadways program, which helps transportation agencies plan, build, and run connected, safe, and comfortable roadways. The Federal Transit Administration and FHWA keep track of a bus schedule for bus table that shows which bicycle and pedestrian projects might qualify for available financing.
Through education, research, safety standards, and enforcement efforts, the NHTSA seeks to prevent fatalities, prevent injuries, and lower the financial costs associated with traffic accidents. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a national census that provides annual statistics on fatal injuries sustained in motor vehicle traffic crashes, including those involving pedestrians and bicyclists, is also housed by NHTSA.
SUMMARY
In addition to managing grants to state and local transit operators, FTA offers financial and technical support to regional public transportation systems. To help cities and towns invest in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, which increases mobility and facilitates access to public transportation, the FTA offers a number of award programs.