Stat: Public art can alleviate traffic accidents

In addition to improving the appearance of urban spaces, new research from Bloomberg Philanthropies reveals that public art serves a functional purpose too. According to the report, public art can help reduce traffic accidents by 17%.

The US study, which was conducted over two years, examined urban spaces such as roads, pavements and underpasses that had been painted with ‘asphalt art’. The data showed a drop in the total number of traffic accidents as well as the severity of those that did occur. There were 37% fewer crashes that led to injuries, and 50% fewer collisions involving pedestrians, bicycles or other vulnerable road users.

The study cites increased driver awareness as one of the major benefits of public art. ‘The art itself is often also intended to improve safety by increasing visibility of pedestrian spaces and [pedestrian crossings], promoting a more walkable public realm, and encouraging drivers to slow down and be more alert for pedestrians and cyclists, the most vulnerable users of the road,’ reads the study.

Beyond aesthetics, the paper reveals that public art can improve road safety for bikes, pedestrians and vehicles, emphasising the importance of art in the development of successful Equilibrium Cities.