U1-L7 Collision Safety in Urban Environments

Globally, 1.24 million people are killed in traffic crashes every year. This number is expected to keep rising as vehicle fleets grow, to become the 5th largest cause of death by 2030. The majority of these deaths happen in and around urban areas, disproportionately affecting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. The percentage of the world’s residents living in cities is also on the rise, from 50 percent in 2007 to 70 percent in 2030, making it vital for cities to address the need for safer streets. Traffic crashes also exact an economic toll. In some countries, such as India, the economic cost of traffic crashes equals 3 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. 

To address this alarming issue, the United Nations has declared a Decade of Action to address the challenges of traffic safety across the world, including through safer urban mobility and street design. As global cities look to reduce the threat of traffic deaths and injuries, there is a need for evidence-based solutions proven to improve safety and make cities livable, efficient and productive.