Pedestrian Safety - Report to Congress

August 2008

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Glossary of Terms

Concept validation - Following the identification of an idea for a new technology, this is the first phase in the actual development of a new technology. In this phase, the developer determines on paper that the concept does indeed have the potential to resolve the problem. The developer then develops and tests a prototype to demonstrate that implementing the technology is feasible and that the concept works.

Deployment phase - This is the final phase of a technology's development process. A technology is in the deployment phase when it has been validated, prototyped, tested successfully, has had all major implementation issues resolved, and is ready to be deployed in a real-world setting to solve the problem for which it was designed.

Developmental phase - This is the second stage in the technology development cycle. Once the concept validation phase has been completed, a critical assessment of the technology is performed on a prototype or experimental system and a demonstration of the technology is performed to identify and resolve problems.

Global technical regulation (GTR) - A global technical regulation is an international agreement on automobile safety standards that is used by vehicle manufacturers throughout the world. The agreement is founded on a 1988 legal framework to facilitate the adoption of uniform conditions for the manufacturing and approval of motor vehicles, their equipment, and parts. Twenty-one countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many European countries, as well as the European Community, have ratified the 1988 Agreement, and vehicle manufacturers in these countries are required to meet the automobile safety standards set forth under the regulation.

Intersection-related pedestrian fatality - A death that occurs on an approach to an intersection and results from an activity, behavior, or a traffic control device - such as a signal or a stop sign - related to movements of traffic through the intersection.

Mid-block crossing - A pedestrian crosswalk that is located between signalized or stop-controlled intersections.

Multilane crossings - A pedestrian crosswalk that spans two or more lanes of traffic.

Pedestrian-vehicle conflict - This occurs when a vehicle is attempting to cross a roadway when pedestrians are present. The conflict may be as minor as the vehicle stopping short to avoid a pedestrian or as significant as a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle while walking in the crosswalk.

Pre-deployment phase - This stage of the technology development cycle follows the developmental phase and involves evaluating and validating the effectiveness of the technology for its intended application. During this phase, issues and barriers associated with reliability, costs, competitiveness, liability, specifications, and maintenance requirements are identified and addressed.

Signalized intersections - An intersection that depends on traffic signals, usually electric, to indicate which traffic has the right-of-way at any particular time.

Stop-controlled intersection - An intersection with one or more stop signs. Two-way and four-way stops are common.

Traffic control device - Signs, signals, pavement markings and other devices placed along highways and streets to control the movement of vehicles and pedestrians safely and efficiently. These devices are placed in key locations to guide traffic movement, control vehicle speeds and warn of potentially hazardous conditions.

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