roaduser

A road user is a generic term used in transport planning and road safety to describe any person or entity that uses the road network. The category covers a wide range of participants who may be exposed to traffic, including pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicle drivers and passengers, motorcyclists, and users of public transit. In some contexts, it also encompasses operators of horse-drawn vehicles or mobility devices.

Vulnerable road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and users of mobility aids. They are more exposed to injury in crashes and often benefit from targeted safety measures and infrastructure design that reduces conflict with heavier or faster-moving traffic.

Design and policy considerations: Roads are designed to accommodate multiple users, prompting measures such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, bus lanes, traffic calming, and protected intersections. Traffic control devices define priority, signals, speed limits, and right-of-way rules to minimize conflicts and improve predictability for all users.

Safety and behavior: Road users have duties to follow laws and act with reasonable care. Drivers must yield to pedestrians at marked crossings in many jurisdictions; cyclists and pedestrians should use signals and stay predictable; visibility and impairment affect safety for everyone on the road.

Policy frameworks and trends: The Safe System approach, Vision Zero, and similar programs aim to reduce fatalities by designing for safe travel for all users. These programs typically integrate engineering, enforcement, and education to address high-risk situations and populations.

Impact and data: Road user statistics identify high-risk groups and locations and inform interventions. Urban design increasingly emphasizes multimodal mobility and inclusive infrastructure to accommodate diverse forms of travel and to improve overall road safety.