Supported by the Task Force on Vulnerable Road User Safety

Despite evolving technologies and infrastructure changes, heavy vehicles continue to pose a safety risk to cyclists and pedestrians.

Consequently, in fall 2016, Canada’s Ministers of Transportation mandated the creation of a task force to enable a collaborative process with provinces, territories, and stakeholders to consider measures that could improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians around heavy vehicles. In October 2018, the Council of Ministers published the Safety Measures for Cyclists and Pedestrians Around Heavy Vehicles – Summary Report.

The report captures findings from a series of 57 safety measures to better protect cyclists and pedestrians, defined as vulnerable road users (VRU). Based on extensive consultation with the road safety community, the report is intended to create a springboard for action to support all jurisdictions as they address safety challenges within their communities. 

Building on the publication of the Summary Report, in January 2019, the Council of Ministers agreed to further advance efforts to protect VRUs around heavy vehicles by:

  • Undertaking pilot projects across jurisdictions that support VRU safety
  • Strengthening the evidence base by examining collision reports/investigations
  • Developing new safety standards for heavy vehicles based on pilot projects and data-sharing

Transport Canada continues to move forward on these objectives, compiling lessons learned from pilot projects, analyzing real-world collisions involving heavy/light vehicles and VRUs, and conducting further research to inform the development of regulatory packages for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).

In addition, the Council of Ministers approved the development of a central repository to provide data, lessons learned and potential solutions for jurisdictions and safety stakeholders when considering their unique safety challenges.

As a result, Transport Canada has partnered with Parachute to produce this series of web pages providing information on recent and/or innovative urban road safety initiatives designed to protect VRUs in Canada. These will be living pages, updated regularly with new initiatives and findings as they become available. We encourage you to consult this resource frequently and invite you to engage with us by suggesting information and features you would like to see in the future. Please submit your suggestions to RoadSafetyUsers-Usagerssecuriteroutiere@tc.gc.ca.

Do you have an initiative in Canada you would like listed in the VRU Repository?

Use the search function below to filter through vulnerable road user safety initiatives by road user type, jurisdiction, location, and/or safety measure.

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Road user type

Jurisdiction

Location

Safety Measure

Initiative Road user Jurisdiction Location Safety Measure
Accessible Signals for Pedestrians with Visibility and Mobility Challenges
Pedestrians
Municipal Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Intersection Design and Traffic Control
Automated Speed Enforcement
PedestriansCyclistsHeavy Vehicles
Municipal Ontario
  • Automated Enforcement
Centreline Hardening Strategies at Signalized Intersections
Pedestrians
Municipal Alberta
  • Intersection Design and Traffic Control
Cycling Safety Strategy – Vehicle Safety and Driver Education
PedestriansCyclistsHeavy Vehicles
Industry National
  • Communications, Awareness, and Education
  • Visibility and Conspicuity
Dutch-inspired Roundabout
PedestriansCyclists
Municipal Ontario
  • Intersection Design and Traffic Control
  • Roadway and Cycling Infrastructure
Exit Warning Technology
Cyclists
Federal Quebec
  • Visibility and Conspicuity
High-visibility Safety Flags for Pedestrian Crossings
Pedestrians
Municipal Quebec
  • Visibility and Conspicuity
Multi-city Field Operational Test of a Vulnerable Road User Detection System for Heavy Vehicles
PedestriansCyclistsHeavy Vehicles
Federal Alberta, Ontario, Quebec
  • Visibility and Conspicuity
Pedestrian Scramble Operations
Pedestrians
Municipal Alberta
  • Intersection Design and Traffic Control
Truck Side Guards
PedestriansCyclistsHeavy Vehicles
Municipal Ontario
  • Side Guards and Side Skirts
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