What aspect of road safety can be addressed by urban planning?

Urban planning plays a crucial role in enhancing road safety, particularly through the design of road layouts and traffic flow. By strategically planning the layout of streets, intersections, and pathways, urban planners can create environments that reduce the likelihood of accidents. For instance, well-designed road layouts can include features such as dedicated bike lanes, safe pedestrian crossings, and traffic calming measures, which collectively contribute to safer roads for all users.

Effective traffic flow management is also essential; this includes optimizing signal timings and the arrangement of bike and vehicle lanes to minimize conflicts among different types of road users. Moreover, urban planning can dictate the location of schools, parks, and commercial areas, ensuring that they are easily accessible and properly integrated into the transportation network. All of these elements combined can significantly mitigate hazards and improve overall safety on the roads.

While public transport systems, private vehicle usage, and pedestrian behavior are indeed important factors in road safety, they are more dependent on specific policies, behaviors, or external influences rather than being directly shaped through the foundational elements of urban design. Road layouts and traffic flow are primary considerations that can be effectively controlled through urban planning techniques, making them central to enhancing road safety.