Interventions for Increasing Pedestrian Visibility to Prevent Injury and Death: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Pedestrian visibility is a critical factor in reducing the number of pedestrian accidents on roads. A review of pedestrian visibility literature may reveal different types of interventions that are feasible for promoting pedestrian visibility. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the interventions to increase pedestrian visibility.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted on electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for full-text articles published from 2003 to December 17, 2023. All interventions used for pedestrians to increase their visibility were considered for the review.

Results: Our systematic search identified 13,472 records, of which 5749 duplicated articles were removed. The remaining 7723 records were initially screened on the basis of title and abstract. After full reading of 804 articles, finally, 14 articles were eligible to be included in the review. The strategies for the visibility of pedestrians were categorized based on the nature of strategies intervened on pedestrians, components, and benefits. The categorizations highlight a diverse range of strategies employed to enhance pedestrian visibility, including technological solutions, wearable, nonverbal communication, detection-based warnings, and educational interventions.

Conclusion: The diverse range of strategies explored in the reviewed studies underscores the multidimensional approach required to enhance pedestrian visibility and safety. It highlights the need for effective interventions to improve detection and recognition of pedestrians by drivers, which is crucial for reducing accidents. The findings suggest that a combination of technological advancements, wearables, nonverbal communication, detection-based warnings, and educational interventions can contribute to a safer pedestrian environment. However, further research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness and real-world applicability of these strategies.