Here's a breakdown of the specific elements of the setting:
* Time: 2053, a future where technology has advanced to the point of controlling most aspects of life.
* Location: An unnamed city, likely in the suburbs or outskirts of a major metropolitan area. It is dark and empty, with most people staying inside.
* Atmosphere: The story is set at night, creating a lonely and eerie atmosphere. There are no other people outside, just the constant hum of traffic. The lack of people outside, the cold, and the feeling of surveillance contribute to a sense of isolation and fear.
* Technology: Cars are the primary mode of transportation, and people are glued to their television screens inside their homes. This suggests a society heavily reliant on technology and possibly lacking in social interaction.
The setting of "The Pedestrian" is significant because it creates a backdrop of societal control and conformity, where individuality is discouraged and even punished. The lack of interaction with other people, the surveillance, and the oppressive atmosphere highlight the story's themes of alienation and the dangers of technology.