By Kyle Eltherington and Barbara Spyropoulos – CPTED Canada Board Members
In Parts 1 and 2 of our discussion on road design from a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) perspective, we focused on identifying legitimate users of public roadways—pedestrians, cyclists, private vehicles, commercial vehicles, and public transit—who all share an equal right to these spaces. In this third installment, we delve deeper into the alignment (or misalignment) between intended roadway purposes and public understanding, illustrated by a practical example.
What Do You See?
Looking at this scenario, it’s evident that roadway design impacts user behavior and safety. Without intentional CPTED principles in place, even small design features, like an unmarked median, can lead to confusion and conflict. By prioritizing clarity, predictability, and alignment with intended use, we can create environments that genuinely serve all legitimate users while minimizing risks.
The Case: A Divided Residential Roadway Connecting a Trail
Figure 1 depicts a residential street divided by a small median, connecting a widely-used community trail. Adjacent to this setup lies a public school with over 800 children. It is estimated that about 25% of these students use the trail, while 50% need to cross the road daily.
This design raises questions about how users—particularly children—perceive and interact with the roadway and whether the infrastructure supports safe behavior or inadvertently creates hazards.
Misinterpreted Crosswalks: The Role of Design and Understanding
The Ontario Highway Traffic Act defines a crosswalk as:
“A designated portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere, distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other surface markings or by signs.”
In this case, the small median and connecting pathway lack the markings or signage required to qualify as a crosswalk. Yet, to many children crossing, this area feels like a “safe haven”—a place they perceive as secure for crossing. This misunderstanding stems from the absence of clear visual cues, leading to confusion and potentially dangerous interactions between pedestrians and drivers.
The Conflict: Safety Behaviors Gone Wrong?
The informal nature of this crossing point has consequences:
- Drivers Stopping Abruptly
Many well-meaning drivers halt to allow children to cross, reinforcing the notion that vehicles will always yield. While this behavior appears considerate, it introduces unpredictability for other road users, including cyclists and vehicles behind them, potentially increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. - Unintended Lessons for Children
Children may learn that unmarked road crossings are safe because vehicles will stop—a behavior that won’t always hold true. It will also lessen the onus on the child to look all ways before entering an intersection/roadway. This miseducation could lead to dangerous habits when encountering other, less forgiving roadways. - Legitimacy vs. Confusion
The median itself is a structural feature designed to break up the road, but without its proper use as a pedestrian crossing, it creates ambiguity. Legitimate users of the road—whether pedestrians or drivers—interpret its purpose differently, leading to inconsistent behavior that undermines safety.
Excessive Speed and Roadway Design
Excessive speed is another critical concern. Near the school, the road widens significantly, lacking any design elements to visually or physically narrow lanes. Given this is a walking-only school with no bus routes and restricted road parking, this wide road design signals to drivers that it’s a “safe” place to travel quickly. The result is a frequent breach of the 24/7 school zone speed limit of 30 km/h.
CPTED Solutions: Designing for Safety and Clarity
- Install Marked Crosswalks
Markings and signs are essential to communicate to all users where pedestrian crossings are intended. Without these, both pedestrians and drivers operate on assumptions, increasing the risk of accidents. - Implement Traffic-Calming Measures
Narrowing the road in front of the school through curb extensions, road paint, or speed humps could reduce vehicle speeds. These measures signal to drivers that they are entering a shared space requiring caution. - Enhance Median Design
If the median remains, consider redesigning it as a pedestrian refuge island, complete with clear markings and signage that denotes its purpose. This eliminates ambiguity for both pedestrians and drivers. - Educate the Community
Schools and local authorities should work together to educate children and parents about safe crossing behaviors and reinforce the importance of using proper crossings.
Let’s continue this conversation about design and safety in our public spaces—because every small detail matters when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable road users.