The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released a comprehensive report entitled “Sharing the Road: Optimizing Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Vehicle Mobility,” which reviews roadway improvements designed to enhance bicyclist, pedestrian, and motorist safety and mobility.  The report includes an analysis of bicycle and pedestrian crashes in the state of Michigan; a review of national design guidelines on methods to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety; a case study analysis of recently completed improvements in the state of Michigan; an analysis of existing guides and manuals that influence the design of roadways in the Michigan and other states; and finally, a set of recommended best design practices for walking and bicycling  The report was prepared by T.Y. Lin International and Western Michigan University (WMU).

The report finds the following countermeasures were associated with the greatest reductions in crashes:

• Sidewalksreduce pedestrian crashes by 88%, while adding shoulders reduce pedestrian crashes by 70%
• Roundaboutsshow an overall decrease in all types of crashes by 35%, injury crashes by 76% and fatal crashes by 89%
• Road dietsreduce all crashes anywhere from 14% to 49%.
• Raised mediansreduce all crashes by 40%, and by as much as 69% at unsignalized intersections
• Pedestrian hybrid beaconswere shown to have a 69% reduction in all crashes and a compliance rate of motorists yielding to pedestrians between 94-99%
• Bike lanescan reduce bicycle crashes by 50%