Pedestrian Safety in Delhi
Roads have evolved significantly since ancient times, yet modern urban planning often overlooks pedestrian safety. Despite advancements such as traffic signals, CCTV monitoring, and designated footpaths, pedestrians remain highly vulnerable due to encroachments, inadequate enforcement of regulations, and unsafe road behaviors.
Research
Ethnography
Delhi
Research
Ethnography
Delhi
Duration: 1 month, 2024
Area of Focus: Research
Team: Individual
PROJECT GOAL
The brief of this project was to conduct detailed research on a selected area of focus.
01. Introduction & Background
02. Research
03. Analysis
04.Learnings & Takeaways
Process Overview
01
Background & Objectives
My research explores how infrastructure and behavioral patterns contribute to pedestrian risks in Tier-I cities, with a focus on Delhi. A key finding from studies across India is that both drivers and pedestrians frequently prioritize convenience over safety, increasing accident risks.
Through this case study, I analyze the critical factors affecting pedestrian safety and identify interventions that can create safer walking environments in urban spaces.
My research explores how infrastructure and behavioral patterns contribute to pedestrian risks in Tier-I cities, with a focus on Delhi. A key finding from studies across India is that both drivers and pedestrians frequently prioritize convenience over safety, increasing accident risks.
Through this case study, I analyze the critical factors affecting pedestrian safety and identify interventions that can create safer walking environments in urban spaces.
what?
SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS
why?
LOT OF ACCIDENTS AND MISHAPS ON THE ROAD
how?
ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH
what?
SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS
why?
LOT OF ACCIDENTS AND MISHAPS ON THE ROAD
how?
ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH
02
02
Research
Visited 3 big crossings and started out by mapping the infrastructure around
*Statistics according to Delhi Road Crash Report 2022
*Statistics according to Delhi Road Crash Report 2022
The majority of the areas I researched were in the northwest region of Delhi. I selected Punjabi Bagh Chowk, Mayapuri Chowk, and Mukarba Chowk as key sites for study. Additionally, to provide a comparative perspective, I also examined Connaught Place, focusing on infrastructure, traffic police management, vehicle behavior, and pedestrian behavior.
Punjabi Bagh Chowk
Circular chowk with a flyover above
traffic lights
CCTV cameras
zebra crossings
subway signboards traffic signs
Well - lit subway during the day
However, unused!
Dimly lit during night
Dirty atmosphere
Lack of lifts
Mukarba Chowk
Proper functioning signals
traffic signs
overhead bridge with multiple pillars
raised footpaths
CCTV cameras
zebra crossings
subway signboards
The majority of the areas I researched were in the northwest region of Delhi. I selected Punjabi Bagh Chowk, Mayapuri Chowk, and Mukarba Chowk as key sites for study. Additionally, to provide a comparative perspective, I also examined Connaught Place, focusing on infrastructure, traffic police management, vehicle behavior, and pedestrian behavior.
Mayapuri Chowk
The chowk has obstructed visibility due to multiple man-made structures blocking clear vision of the intersecting roads.
traffic signals - untimed
CCTV cameras
subway
subway signboards traffic signs
The zebra crossings have worn off
Vehicles are parked in un-designated areas, hindering traffic flow.
Separate lanes for turnings
Traffic Police stationed
The majority of the areas I researched were in the northwest region of Delhi. I selected Punjabi Bagh Chowk, Mayapuri Chowk, and Mukarba Chowk as key sites for study. Additionally, to provide a comparative perspective, I also examined Connaught Place, focusing on infrastructure, traffic police management, vehicle behavior, and pedestrian behavior.
Mayapuri Chowk
The chowk has obstructed visibility due to multiple man-made structures blocking clear vision of the intersecting roads.
traffic signals - untimed
CCTV cameras
subway
subway signboards traffic signs
The zebra crossings have worn off
Vehicles are parked in un-designated areas, hindering traffic flow.
Separate lanes for turnings
Traffic Police stationed
Observational study of pedestrian behaviour and vehicles
Adherence to Rules
Lack of adherence to rules by both pedestrians and vehicles
Two-wheelers are driven on raised footpaths
Not scared of enforcement bof rules by traffic police
Older adults are slower to react and tend to follow traffic signals
Pedestrians tend to wait mostly for 30 seconds before growing impatient
If one breaks the rule, other people follow
By law, pedestrians are not supposed to be in contact with high speed facilities like National Highways (Ruchika et. al., 2020) but one can always spot numerous heads walking on them.
Adherence to Rules
Lack of adherence to rules by both pedestrians and vehicles
Two-wheelers are driven on raised footpaths
Not scared of enforcement bof rules by traffic police
Older adults are slower to react and tend to follow traffic signals
Pedestrians tend to wait mostly for 30 seconds before growing impatient
If one breaks the rule, other people follow
By law, pedestrians are not supposed to be in contact with high speed facilities like National Highways (Ruchika et. al., 2020) but one can always spot numerous heads walking on them.
Observational study of pedestrian behaviour and vehicles
Awareness & Judgement
Young - middle aged adults noticed to be using mobile phones , talking on mobile phones and talking to each other while crossing
When traffic is moving, people make their own judgement calls on when to cross and inch forward every time the number of vehicles passing by decreases.
People are largely unaware of traffic rules. Something as simple as walking on the right side margin of the road in absence of a footpath.
factor of familiarity with the place also becomes a strong factor in decision-making while walking and crossing roads - more likely to break signals
Preferences
The breaking of signals was found to be more profound in timed crossings than in untimed crossings
The breaking of signals was found to be more profound in timed crossings than in untimed crossings
Reluctant to use subways to walk; feel unsafe and uncomfortable
Reluctant to use subways to walk; feel unsafe and uncomfortable
Would wait for signals rather than using subways to cross roads to save time.
Would wait for signals rather than using subways to cross roads to save time.
Longer waiting time at crossings make pedestrians impatient and more likely to break signals
Longer waiting time at crossings make pedestrians impatient and more likely to break signals
Interacted with people to gain understanding
Traffic Police
The traffic police personnel pointed out that two-wheelers cause most of the accidents as they are more prone to break traffic rules
People are not scared to break the rules even in presence of traffic police
They cannot stop every person breaking traffic rules because they are simply too many of them
According to him, rules are already in place, people just need to follow them better`
Vendor on Road
“Accidents happen because pedestrians are in a rush.”
“Vehicles do not follow traffic signals because of which crashes happen.”
Random pedestrians
They are not comfortable using subways, mostly females
As a pedestrian, there is also an added risk of unknown people approaching to harass them which demotivates them to walk to their destination(s).
Always in a hurry
Unaware of subways even after subway signs are installed on crossings and roads.
People find the entry and exit of subways hard to identify
The subway entries look uninviting
Questionnaire survey
On which side of the road do you walk, when there is no footpath? Left or Right?
Reasons for feeling unsafe while walking on the road -
Do you always cross from zebra crossings?
Do you always wait for the red light to cross on signaled crossings?
How long are you okay to wait before crossing a road on signaled crosswalks?
Visited 3 big crossings and started out by mapping the infrastructure around
Mayapuri Chowk
The chowk has obstructed visibility due to multiple man-made structures blocking clear vision of the intersecting roads.
traffic signals - untimed
CCTV cameras
subway
subway signboards traffic signs
The zebra crossings have worn off
Vehicles are parked in un-designated areas, hindering traffic flow.
Vehicles are parked in un-designated areas, hindering traffic flow.
Separate lanes for turnings
Traffic Police stationed
Punjabi Bagh Chowk
Circular chowk with a flyover above
traffic lights
CCTV cameras
zebra crossings
subway signboards traffic signs
Well - lit subway during the day
However, unused!
Dimly lit during night
Dirty atmosphere
Lack of lifts
Mukarba Chowk
Proper functioning signals
traffic signs
overhead bridge with multiple pillars
raised footpaths
CCTV cameras
zebra crossings
subway signboards
Awareness & Judgement
Young - middle aged adults noticed to be using mobile phones , talking on mobile phones and talking to each other while crossing
When traffic is moving, people make their own judgement calls on when to cross and inch forward every time the number of vehicles passing by decreases.
factor of familiarity with the place also becomes a strong factor in decision-making while walking and crossing roads - more likely to break signals
People are largely unaware of traffic rules. Something as simple as walking on the right side margin of the road in absence of a footpath.
Traffic Police
The traffic police personnel pointed out that two-wheelers cause most of the accidents as they are more prone to break traffic rules
People are not scared to break the rules even in presence of traffic police
They cannot stop every person breaking traffic rules because they are simply too many of them
According to him, rules are already in place, people just need to follow them better`
Vendor on Road
“Accidents happen because pedestrians are in a rush.”
“Vehicles do not follow traffic signals because of which crashes happen.”
Random pedestrians
They are not comfortable using subways, mostly females
As a pedestrian, there is also an added risk of unknown people approaching to harass them which demotivates them to walk to their destination(s).
Always in a hurry
Unaware of subways even after subway signs are installed on crossings and roads.
People find the entry and exit of subways hard to identify
The subway entries look uninviting
Questionnaire survey
On which side of the road do you walk, when there is no footpath? Left or Right?
Reasons for feeling unsafe while walking on the road -
Do you always cross from zebra crossings?
Do you always wait for the red light to cross on signaled crossings?
How long are you okay to wait before crossing a road on signaled crosswalks?
Interacted with people to gain understanding
03
03
Analysing Patterns
Analysing Patterns
Infrastructure
Developed infrasructure at the crossings broadly include -
CCTV camers
raised footpaths
zebra crossing
traffic signals
Footpaths are encroached upon by ltemporary, unregistered businesses and people building kachha houses
Dark and dingy subways remain unused
timed signals vs un-timed signals play a role in determining the patience level of pedestrians.
wider roads are difficult to cross as estimating incoming traffic speed is difficult
overhead flyovers and other constructions on crossings limit visibility to a large extent from a pedestrian’s POV
vehicle centric
Footpath distractions
People use mobile phones while walking on footpaths
Local business /kachha houses occupying space on footpaths force pedestrians to walk on roads
Vehicles driven on footpath add to the danger of distraction
Rules & Implementation
awareness of traffic rules is not sufficient amongst people
there is a lack in fear of breaking the rules
people value time over their safety
Behavioural cues
pedestrians exhibit impatient behaviour while crossing the road
risk-taking behaviour is exhibited more by younger adults
risk-taking behaviour is exhibited more in familiar places
old adults
old adults
rarely use mobile phones on the move
rarely use mobile phones on the move
slow to comprehend changes
slow to comprehend changes
follow signals better
follow signals better
proper visibility is important for them
proper visibility is important for them
young - middle age adults
young - middle age adults
ignore traffic rules as per convenience
ignore traffic rules as per convenience
use mobile phone while crossing or on footpath
use mobile phone while crossing or on footpath
risk taking behaviour is prominent
risk taking behaviour is prominent
have better cognitive presence on road than older adults
have better cognitive presence on road than older adults
04
Learnings & Takeaways
Traffic rules are vehicle centric
which leads to pedestrians feeling that they have no control over their waiting situation
HOW MIGHT WE induce a feeling of control in pedestrians such that they willingly follow traffic signals and rules?
People lack awareness about traffic rules and signals, dangers and repurcussions, etc.
which leads to breaking of rules on pedestrians’ part and vehicle drivers’ part as well
people knowingly break rules as they have no fear of repurcossions
HOW MIGHT WE raise awareness amongst people so that they take cognizance of road hazards seriously and hence act respinsibly?
HOW MIGHT WE emotionally attach to the idea of following safety rules to a fulfilling life for them and the public?
Use of mobile phones and other digital accessories create distractions and people do not realise the repercussions of it.
which leads to a risk taking attitude amongst pedestrians while crossing roads
HOW MIGHT WE inculcate a civic sense in the society to follow rules?
HOW MIGHT WE make people realise the dangers of breaking rules in an empathetic way to grab their attention?
Traffic rules are vehicle centric
which leads to pedestrians feeling that they have no control over their waiting situation
HOW MIGHT WE induce a feeling of control in pedestrians such that they willingly follow traffic signals and rules?
People lack awareness about traffic rules and signals, dangers and repurcussions, etc.
which leads to breaking of rules on pedestrians’ part and vehicle drivers’ part as well
people knowingly break rules as they have no fear of repurcossions
HOW MIGHT WE raise awareness amongst people so that they take cognizance of road hazards seriously and hence act respinsibly?
HOW MIGHT WE emotionally attach to the idea of following safety rules to a fulfilling life for them and the public?
Use of mobile phones and other digital accessories create distractions and people do not realise the repercussions of it.
which leads to a risk taking attitude amongst pedestrians while crossing roads
HOW MIGHT WE inculcate a civic sense in the society to follow rules?
HOW MIGHT WE make people realise the dangers of breaking rules in an empathetic way to grab their attention?
Learnings & Takeaways
04