A  report from the World Resources Institute highlights how the 1.24 million global annual traffic fatalities are a critical issue that hampers economic development and that developing countries must take steps to protect all road users through better design.

The report outlines steps for cities to become safer, healthier places by changing the design of their streets through evidence-based solutions.  The authors maintain that "where public streets have been designed to serve primarily or even exclusively private motor vehicle traffic, they can be made immensely safer for all users if they are [re]designed to effectively serve pedestrians, public transport users, bicyclists, and other public activity."

The guide's chapters include key urban design elements, traffic calming, arterial corridors and intersections, pedestrian spaces and access, bicycle infrastructure, and safe access to transit. They provide an overview of how cities can design streets and the communities they serve in a way that maximizes safety and health while promoting a more sustainable form of urban development.  The guide provides support for a Complete Streets approach to roadway planning, design, construction, and operation.  For more information on Complete Streets, see CMAP's Complete Streets Toolkit.