A new report by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP, Synthesis Report 436), “Local Policies and Practices That Support Safe Pedestrian Environments,” documents various tools and strategies used by municipalities to improve the safety, convenience, and accessibility of the pedestrian experience.

The research approach involved a review of literature and telephone as well as in-person interviews with key staff in local agencies that have implemented policies and practices to support pedestrian-friendly environments. The report includes an overview of recent and current practices undertaken throughout the country in various settings, along with four detailed case studies (New York City, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Olympia, Washington).

The practices are categorized by:

1. Public right-of-way engineering and design guidelines.
2. Architectural and urban design guidelines.
3. Planning and land development regulations.
4. Financing mechanisms.
5. Operations, maintenance, and enforcement measures.