Orla Fahey
Designing to improve the safety of the vulnerable road user in London?

A practice based research study, the motivation for this PhD is to understand where as a designer I could identify gaps and intervention points for improving safety.

A qualitative research approach using Grounded Theory methodology, Systems Thinking and visualisation tools have been used in a novel way to explore this area of research. Triangulation of methods: observations, interviews and documentation were used to provide rigour to the process of investigation and data analysis.

My research has found that the focus on reducing numbers of serious accident and fatality numbers is driving current design of road safety practice in London. Safety interventions using a 'Safe System' approach such as Vision Zero lack the context of the particular space, culture of the area and the variety of people using the space; specifically factors such as the individual's age, gender and mobility when considering their ability for moving through the space.

The motivation for the study was to look at qualitative data that describe aspects that are currently not included in safety statistics - such as near-miss incidents and the reasons why they may be occurring - not just bald statistics.

A case study was carried out in London to observe the impact of an infrastructure safety intervention designed by TfL (Transport for London) for pedestrians and cyclists. I monitored the impact of this system on "vulnerable road users". This field study observed that while the space was legislatively correct in its design - it had some negative consequences for users of the space, especially pedestrians who were at more risk of conflict with vehicles and cyclists.

This research proposes a new way of using visualisation techniques, that include 360 degree photographs and videos and the creation of a Virtual Reality Environment - as part of a new methodology which can provide users with a platform to feedback to safety professionals. The aim is to build this methodology which may be then implemented by a variety of user groups. This will enable them to propose design interventions or comment back to designers on ways to improve safety, to open up these conversations and provide a user guided collaborative approach.

In this way, safety can be improved from the ground up and utilise design methods to do so.