Development of a Novel Pedestrian and Bicyclist Injury Prevention Tool: A Pilot Study

Every year in the United States, thousands of children are injured or killed while walking or bicycling, highlighting the need for effective pedestrian and bicycle safety education programs. This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of the 3D RoadPlay Set, a novel, small-scale, magnetic model composed of roads, signage, crosswalks, and vehicles, designed to promote safety knowledge through tactile, play-based learning. A total of 148 first- and second-grade students from the same public elementary school participated. All students received a standardized safety lesson; students were then randomly assigned to either a control group (coloring activity) or an experimental group (tactile learning with 3D RoadPlay Set). Results showed a significant increase in safety knowledge from pre- to post-test among students in the experimental group compared to controls (p < .001). The greatest improvement was observed in first-grade students in the intervention group, with an average score gain of +16.67 points versus +6.67 in controls. In addition, 91% of students in the intervention group reported the highest level of lesson satisfaction, compared to 86% in the control group. This low-cost, accessible tool shows strong potential for enhancing early childhood road safety education, particularly in underserved or diverse learning communities. Its universal, tactile design accommodates a range of learning needs and styles. Implications extend beyond the classroom: the 3D RoadPlay Set could be integrated into health department injury prevention programs or combined with built-environment education strategies to reinforce safety concepts. Future research should assess long-term behavioral outcomes and scalability across broader populations and delivery channels.