HomeMy WebLinkAbout22 Safe and Walkable CommunitesPREPARED FOR THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION FEBRUARY 2008
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE
· FOR CREATING SAFE AND
WALKABLE COMMUNITIES ·
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Highway
Administration FHWA-SA-07-016
NOTICE
This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of T r ansportation in the
interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the u se of the informa-
tion contained in this document. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.
The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers'
names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the obj ective of this document.
1. R e port No. 2. G overnment Accession No.
FI-I\N'A.-SA.-07-016
4. Title and Subtitle
A. R esident 's Guide for Creating Safe a nd \N'alkable Communities
7. Author(s)
Laura Sandt, Robert Schneider, D a n Nabors, Libby Thomas, C ollee n Mitchell,
and RJ Eldridge.
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Van asse I-Iangen Brustlin, Inc.
8300 Boone Blvd., Suite 700
Vienna, VA. 22182
12. Sponsoring Agen cy ame and Add ress
3 . Recipi ent's Catalog No.
5. Report D ate
February 2008
6. Performing Organization Code
8. Performing Organization R eport No.
10 . W ork Unit o. (TRAIS)
11. Contract or Grant No.
DTFI-I61-05-00024
13 . Typ e of Report and Period Covered
Final Guide; 2006 t o 2008 Federal I-lighway A.dministration Office of Safety
1200 ew J er sey A.ve., SE
\N'a shing t on, D.C. 20590
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
15 . Supplementa ry otes
The contract manager for this report was T amara Red mon (FI-I\N'A. Office of Safety). T oole D es ign Group, University
of North Carolina's I-li ghway Safety Researc h Center (U NC-I-ISRC), and P erform Tech were sub co ntractors. R obert
Schneider (Toole Desig n Group) was the Princip a l Inves tigator. John Fegan (FI-I\N'A.), Gabe Rousseau (FI-I\N'A.), P aula
Bawer ( I-ITSA.), and other FI-I\N'A. a nd NI-ITSA. st aff reviewed the guide and provided valu ab le feedback. Michael
Daul (UNC-I-ISRC) performed the document de sign and layout.
The proj ec t team gratefully acknowledges the input prov ided by the t ec hnical working group ove r the co urse of this
project. These individu als include:
T ony A.sion, El P ueblo Public Safety Progra m, R aleigh, North Carolina
Matthew A.roster-Burton, Se at tle Pedes trian A.dvi so ry Board , Seattle, W as hing ton
Erin Bree n , L as Vegas Safety A.ction, L a Vegas, eva d a
L ois Chaplin, Cornell Univer si ty, Ithaca, New Yor k
P eter Flucke, WE BIKE , etc ., Green Bay, Wisco nsin
Nancy-A.nne P otts, Fairfield Neighborhood A.ssociation, Durham, North C aro lina
Dr. Sheila Sarkar, University of California at San Diego, La J oll a, California
Linda Woodbury, City of San Diego Disa bility Services, San Diego, California
Images were provided by T oole Design, UNC-I-ISRC, Michael Ronkin, D an Burden, A.merican Public \N'orks A.ssociation,
The Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Device s (MUTCD), Berkeley-Charleston-D orche ster Council of Governments,
Kevin Klu zak, Portland Transport, A.ctive Living By D esig n, Jeff Parenti, and D an Nabors.
16. Abstract
This guide is intended to ass ist re si d ents, parents, community association members, and others in getting involved in
making communities sa fer for pedes trians. The g uide include s fac t s, ideas, and resources t o help residents le arn abo ut
traffic problems that affec t p ede stria n s and find ways to help address these problems and promote pedestrian safe t y. The
g uide includes informati on on id entify ing problem s, t aking action to addre ss pedestrian concerns, finding so lutions to
improve p ede strian safe t y, and re so urce s to get additional information.
17. Key W ords:
Pedestrian, safe ty, education, enforcement, enginee ring,
co mmunity ac tion, lo ca l p ar tnership s, walkable
18. D istribu tion Statement
No res trictions. This document is available to the public
through the National Technica l Information Service,
Springfield, Virginia 22161.
19. Security Classif. (o f this report)
Unclassified
20. Security Classif. (of this pa ge)
Unclass ified
21. o. of Pages 22. Pri ce
76
/
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
People need walkable communities where sid ewalks, trail s, and street
cro ss ings are safe, access ible, and comfor t able for people of all abi lity
levels. Pedestria n-friend ly communities have many benefits, including :
• Safer environments for walking and bicycling, which means you
are less likely to be in a traffic collision or get injured.
• Better access to more places, providing more choice s in how yo u can
get to your de stinations so you don't have to rely on having a car.
• More opportunities to be physically active, which can improve
your health and overall quality of life .
• Opportunities for everyone , which includ es a walking environ-
ment that accommodate s people with disabilities.
It take s the commitment and involvement of many people to bu ild
and maintain places that are safe and friendly for walking . This
guide i s designed to be used by anyone looking for ways to im-
prove the walkability of their neighborhood, whe ther they are just
beginning to learn about pedestrian safe t y or are a lready part of an
established community safety group . R esidents can make a differ-
ence by raising awareness of pedest rian safety issues and pushing
for change.
This guide provides examples from other communities working t o
improve pedestrian safe t y. It includes information, ideas, and re-
so u rce s to help resident s learn abo ut issues that affect walking con-
ditions; fin d ways to addre ss or prevent these problems; and promote
pedestrian safety. The Resource Sheets at the end of the g uide con-
tain fact shee t s, workshee t s, and sample materials -these materials
can be adap t ed to meet the needs of your communit y, or distributed
to others working to improve pedestrian safe t y. The guide provides a
thorough introduction t o pedestrian safety and include s many refer-
en ces to other re sources and materials for those interested in more
in-depth information.
Keep in mind that pedestrian safe t y improvements often happen in
stages. Even minor changes take time and may require effort from
various individuals or agencie s. This guide is a starting point and
will help yo u b e more effic ient and effec tive, but patience and fo llow-
through are crucial to your success.
DEFINITION:
A wa lkable community is
one where it is easy a nd
safe to walk to goods an d
services (i.e., grocery stores,
post offices, health cli nics,
etc .). Wa l kab le comm uniti es
encourage pedestrian activ-
ity, expand tran sportati on
option s, and ha ve sa fe and
inviting streets that serve
people with different ra nges
of mobi l ity.
Walkable communities are safe
and accessible for everyone .
Resource Sheet 1:
Pedestrian Safety Improve-
ment Activities provides a
checklist of activities to guide
you through your role as an
active participant in efforts to
improve pedestrian safety in
your community.
The guide is organized into five key sections to lead you through your efforts to improve pedestrian safety in
your community. Depending on the needs of your community, you can start with any of the sections below.
HOW CAN I IDENTIFY PROBLEMS WITH WALKING CONDITIONS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD?
This section will help you figure out where there are walkability issues in your community.
WHO CAN HELP ME MAKE MY NEIGHBORHOOD A SAFER PLACE TO WALK?
This section discusses the different groups and individuals that can help you improve
walkability in your neighborhood.
/
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: How can I identify problems with walking conditions in my neighborhood? 1
Types of Pedestrian Problems ...
Poor walking accommodations .....
Unsafe driver behaviors or traffic characteristics ...
Unsafe pedestrian behaviors ...
Poor conditions at schools ...
Poor conditions at bus stops ...
Ways to Assess Pedestrian Problems ...
Use a walkability checklist ...
Talk with other community members .....
Find out what is already being done ...
Examine pedestrian collision and injury data ...
Use bus stop checklists ....
...................................... 1
. ...................................... 2
. ................................... 2
····················-·······················-·········3
. ................................. 3
. .............................. 3
. ................... 4
. ................................................ 4
. .... 4
. ... 4
·················································-····5
5
Linking Problems to Solutions ... . ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER 2: Who can help me make my neighborhood a safer place to walk? 7
Step 1: Determine the Scale of the Issue .................................................................................................................................................... 7
Step 2 : Build Awareness and Community Support ........................................................................................................................ 7
Community Succ ess Story 1: Community Involvement . . ............. .. . . .................... . ................. 8
Community Succes s Story 2: Networking and Building P artnerships .............................................................. 9
Step 3: Identify the Department or Agency Responsible for Making Improv ements ......................... 10
Step 4: Contact Agency Representativ e s and Present Your Case .11
Step 5: Build Support for Long-Term Change . .11
Build suppor t wit h local government staff ........................................................................................................................... 11
Community Success Story 3: Agencies and Community Create Action Plan ........................................ 12
Community Success Story 4: Commu nity Action and F u nd raising ................................................................. 13
Build support with loca l residen t s and community groups .14
Build support with elec t ed officials .............................................................................................................................................. 15
Community Success Story 5: Comprehensive Ped estrian Safe ty Campaign ............................................ 16
CHAPTER 3: How can the safety of my neighborhood be improved? 17
Engineering
Typical engineering improvements
Maintenance of pedestrian accommodations .. .. ....... ......... . ... .. .. .. .. .. .
Community Success Story 6: Solutions for Pedestrian Safety .. .
Improving access to transit stops (including school bus stops)
............... 18
................... 19
················· .20
.... ....... 20
...... 21
Community Success Story 7: Walking School Bus Program
E ducation
E nforcement
Pedestrian safety laws
Community Success Story 8: Pedestrian Safety Education
Strategies for local law enforcement .
Strategies for community members
Community Success Story 9: Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project
E ncouragement
Community Success Story 10: Get Active Orlando Encouragement Program
21
22
24
24
24
25
26
27
27
28
CHAPTER 4: I need more information! 29
Definition of Key Terms ..... . ....... 29
Frequently Asked Qyestions ................................................................................................................. ............................... .. . ......... 30
Links and References ..
RESOURCE MATERIALS 39
Resource Sheet 1: Pedestrian Safety Improvement Activities .............................................................................. 41
Resource Sheet 2 : Ten Reasons to Support Walking ...................................................................................................... 43
Resource Sheet 3: Identifying Pedestrian Safety Concerns Using a Walkability Audit ...... 45
Resource Sheet 4: Local Sources oflnformation and Materials .. . ................ 47
Resource Sheet 5: Anticipating Concerns ... . ................. 49
Resource Sheet 6: Ten Things Your Pedestrian Group Can Do ... . ............. 51
Resource Sheet 7: Engineering Solutions to Improve Pedestrian Safety .. . ...... 53
Resource Sheet 8: Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Drivers . . ....................... 63
Resource Sheet 9: Strategies for Pedestrian Safety Education and Public Awareness .. . .. 65
Resource Sheet 10: Enforcement Contact Worksheet
Resource Sheet 11: Sample "Warning" Letter to Drivers
.......... 67
....... 69
1
CHAPTER 1: HOW CAN I IDENTIFY PROBLEMS
WITH WALKING CONDITIONS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD?
You m ay be afr ai d t o cross a stree t t o walk t o a n ear by stor e , nervo u s
for yo ur children t o ride thei r bikes in yo ur n eighb orh ood , or fa ce
ob st acles when traveling usi ng a w h ee lchair or st ro ller. If yo u have
co nce rns but are unsure w h at the pro blem s are, the informa tion in
this sec tion can h el p yo u identify and d escri b e them.
T o b e able t o walk safely in their community, p ed es tri an s n ee d :
• A safe space to walk-This includes 1) a sm ooth, unob structed
walking su r face at leas t w ide enough fo r t wo wh ee lchairs t o p ass
eac h other, 2) a sid ewalk or p ath that is separated from traffi c,
a nd 3) safe st ree t cro ssi ngs w ith appropr ia t e crosswalks, sig n s, and
sig n als . In places w ith slow sp ee d s or ve ry little t raffic, a p ave d
sh oulder or the roadway itself m ay b e safe en ough for walking.
R egardless of w h ere the wa lkway is, it m u st b e safe fo r all p ed es-
t r ian s, including children and those with disa bilities .
• The ability to see or detect traffic -P ed es trian s sh ould also b e
abl e to b e see n by o n co ming ve hicles, b oth d ay and night.
Access to sidewalks and crossings -This may inclu de h av ing
well-des igned curb ra mp s t o ease ch a nges in el eva t io n /grad e .
• Enough time to cross streets -P ed es t r ian s should h ave time to
cross at i nt er sec tion s a nd cro ss ings w ith or without p ed es trian sig-
n als . If ther e ar e n o sig n als at the cro ss ing, ther e mu st b e ad equat e
gap s in t raffic to sa fel y cross .
• Signs and markings designating the pedestrian route-This
include s crosswa lk markings, p ed es tri an way-find ing sig n s, a nd
ped es trian d etour sig n s in co n struction areas . These sig n s sh ould
b e under st and able to those with limited Engli sh l angu age skills.
Continuous facilities-The p ed es trian n etwork sh ould be fr ee
fro m gap s, ob struct ions , and abrupt cha nges in direc ti on or width.
TYPES OF PEDESTRIAN PROBLEMS
Under st anding and pro p erly identify ing iss ues that can ca u se pedes-
trian sa fet y p ro blem s is an important p art of findin g a so lution. If
the pro blem is n ot ac cu rately identified , the wro ng so lution may b e
applie d and the p ro blem co uld continue . Som e t ypical pro blem s that
affec t pedes trian sa fet y include:
SECTION TOPICS:
•Types of Pedestrian
Problems
•Ways to Assess Pedestrian
Problems
•Linking Problems to
Solutions
Resource Sheet 2 : Ten
Reasons to Support Walking
des cribes wh y it is imp ortant
to improve p ed estria n safety
and encourage walking in
you r comm unity .
Some comm u nities lack side-
walks, cur b ramps, and other
p e d e stria n fac ilities, ma king
it difficult for people to t ravel
safe ly and easi ly on fo ot.
2 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
DEFINITION:
Pedestrian desire lines are
preferred walking p aths, and
are often t he shortes t or most
convenient path between
two points . They can typically
be found by the presence of
worn paths (or "goa t trails")
through grass, and may indi-
cate the need for a sidewalk.
For More Information:
See the Frequently Asked
Questions in Chapt er 4 to
learn how high mot or vehicle
speeds put pedestria ns at risk.
Poor walking accommodations
1. No place to walk-There are not enough sidewalks, paths, or
trails . Existing sidewalks and trails do not connect to schools,
transit stations, parks, churches, etc. Dirt paths or desire lines
show that more sidewalks or paths are needed.
2 . Narrow sidewalks-Sidewalks are not wide enough for people to
walk comfortably or pass each other.
3. Poor walking surfaces -Sidewalk surfaces are uneven, broken,
or covered with debris.
4. Blocked pathways -Sidewalks and paths are blocked by barriers
such as vehicles, trash cans, vegetation, snow, utility poles, mail
boxes, benches, etc .
5. No buffer-There is not eno ugh space between the sidewa lk
and the roadway, or this space lacks trees or landscaping t o make
pedestrians feel comfortable.
6. Difficult street crossings -There are long crossing distances
and wide intersections that allow cars to turn at higher speeds .
There are intersections with no pedestrian signals, curb ramps, or
median crossing islands.
7. Poor connectivity-There are many dead-end streets, few avai l-
able roadway crossings, and indirect pedestrian paths.
8. Insufficient pedestrian lighting-There are not enough street-
lights to help pedestrians and drivers see eac h other at night.
9. Poor guidance-There are not enough signs to help pedes trians
find important destinations or know where to walk or cross safely
in construction areas .
10. Conflicts with bicyclists -Bicyclists riding on the sidewalk
(possibly because they do not feel safe in the street) may cause
conflicts with people walking.
Unsafe driver behaviors or traffic characterist ics
1. Drivers do not yield to pedestrians-Drivers do not stop or
yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway.
2. Speed-Drivers drive too fas t through neighborhoods, around
schools, or near other places w h ere people are walking.
3. Too much cut-though traffic-Drivers take short cuts through
neighborhoods to avoid traffic on major streets .
I
Chapter 1: How can I identify problems with walking conditions in my neighborhood? 3
4. Drivers run red lights-Red light or stop sign runners endanger
pedestri ans and bicyclists.
5 . Illegal passing -Drivers pass other vehicles stopped at cross-
walks for pedestrians or pass stopped school buse s.
6 . Drunk or distracted drivers -Drivers are more distracted than
ever by cell phones, passe ngers, and other activities.
Unsafe pede stri an behav iors
1. Pedestrians cross the road without looking-P edestrians do not
look in all directions before crossing the st reet .
2 . Pedestrians dart into the road -Pedestrians attempt to cross the
street wh en traffic is approaching.
3. Pedestrians cross the road at unsafe locations -Pede strians t ry
to cross b etween cars at traffic lights and b etween intersections
with traffic signals.
4. Pedestrians do not obey traffic signals-Pedestrians cross
against pedestrian signals.
5 . Distracted pedestrians -As with driver s, pedestrians can be
distracted by cell phones, iPods, etc.
Poor conditions at schools
The issues listed above apply to sc hools as well; just be sure that yo u
also consider the limitations of children walking n ear and at the
sc h ool (e.g ., height and abi lity to see cars, mental development, and
skills in judging traffic and making decisions). Additionally, you may
want to co nsider the sc hool pick-up and drop-off zones-these are
pla ces with a lot of potential conflict between children wa lking and
buses and cars.
Poor conditions at bus stops
Many bu s stops are located in place s that are difficult to reach by foot.
Some pedestrian concerns that might be found at bus stops include :
1. Street crossings near the stop are dangerous -Crossings may b e
inconvenient or there are no obvious places to cross.
2 . The sidewalk is blocked-The bus shelter, sea ting, or other bar-
riers block the si dewalk.
Driver not looking for an d
yielding to pedestrians at a
driveway.
For More Information:
See the Frequently Asked
Question s in Chapter 4 to
learn about the safety needs
of pedestrians of different
ages and abilities .
For More Information:
To learn more about pedestri-
an safety around schools, visit
http ://www.saferoutesinfo .org /
guide/dropoff _pickup/index.dm.
4 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities ,:
Walkability Checklist
How walkable is your community?
T•b • w•lk with • child
•nd dttld• for )'OW1elves. -----....--_....,.. ____ _
·--.-.-·--· ::-:::=:..-:':!".:.:'.:' __ ,,_...,,.._.,....._"'"' __ ..,.._,,,_..,,....._.. __ ----..... -
Gtttlng started: _,....._ .. ,... ............. ... ----·---,,,.-~-~ ..... _., ____ ....,._ .. --,_ ....... ,..-.---...... ,..-.... --....... .,,._ ... .,.. __ ,
-~~ .... -..... -,.. ----_,.... _____ ..,
,......._ .. _., .... ~-,.._ ... __ _.. _ _ ,.,. ____ .,.._. --........ -~ --·----
Download a wa l kability
checklist at
http://www.walk i nginfo .org /
library/details .cfm?id = 12 .
Resource Sheet 3 :
Identifying Pedestr ia n
Safet y Concerns U sing a
Walkability Audit lists ad-
d itional reso urces you can use
to eva l ua t e ped estrian cond i -
tions arou nd co mmunities,
schools, an d t ransit stops .
3 . Seating/waiting area is too close to vehicle lanes -There is not
enough room for pedestrians to safely wait.
4. There are no sidewalks-No sidewalks or curb ramps lead to the
bus stop.
5. People walking near the stop take risks -These may include
crossing the street in front of the bus or running across the street
to catch a bus.
6. There is insufficient lighting-The bus stop and nearby street
crossings are too dark.
WAYS TO ASSESS PEDESTRIAN PROBLEMS
You might begin by taking photographs, video t aping, or simply writ-
ing down the problems you observe-this ca n be useful when trying
to describe your concerns to decision makers, loc al government staff,
community members, and other interested people. Below are some
other ways that you can assess and document pedestrian safety prob-
lems in your community:
Use a walkability checklist
Tour your neighborhood and assess its safety for pedestrians. Com-
munity members often partner with specialist s to develop more pe-
destrian friendly environments. R esidents, public works and planning
staff, advocates, and elected officials can collaborate to identify the
problems and develop a plan to address them.
Talk with other community membe rs
This may be one of the best ways to help identify safety problems in
your community and at the same time build a network of involved citi-
zens who are willing to help you address your concerns. You can speak
with neighborhood residents and community group s, your local pedes-
trian advisory board (PAB), loc al public health and injury prevention
leaders, emergency services professionals, and law enforcement officers.
Find out what is already being done
Your t own/city/county may already have a pedestrian plan or other
transportation plan to ad dress problems in your neighborhood. If not,
they need to hear from yo u! Talk to your local planning, transporta-
tion, or public works department or pedestrian advocacy group to see
if there is a li st of pedestrian projects or resident concerns .
Chapter 1: How can I identify problems with walking conditions in my neighborhood? 5
Examine pedestrian collision and injury data
These data are sometimes available through your state or local depart-
ment of transportation (DOT) and can be a way to determine if an area
has a history of pedestrian safety problems. You can reque st that the
local transportation agency review collision data .
Use bus stop checklists to assess pedestr ian safe ty concerns
rela ted to bu s stops
A checklist was developed by Easter Seals Project ACTION as part
of the Toolkit far the Assessm ent of Bus Stop Accessibility and Saftty. More
information can be found at http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site /
PageS erver?pagename=ESPA_BusStopToolkit or by calling 800-659-
6428 (voice) or 202-347-7385 (telecommunications device for the deaf).
For More Information:
PEDSAFE : Pede strian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection
System (http://www.walkinginfo .org /pedsafe) describes many as-
pects of pedestrian crashes and how to prevent them .
Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) is a database of statistics
on injuries and deaths from vehicle accidents
(http ://www-fars .nhtsa .dot.gov).
Refer to the Pedestrian Safety Guide for Transit Agencie s
(http://safety.fhwa .dot.gov/ped _ bike /ped /ped _transguide/) for
details about how to address concerns related to transit stops .
LINKING PROBLEMS TO SOLUTIONS
Once you've identified and documented the pedestrian problems in
your community, yo u can start to discus s potential so lutions and next
steps to take to address your concerns. The nex t few sections will
help you identify who to contact and will give yo u ideas for potential
pedestrian sa fety improvements.
Remember that the best solutions u sually u se a combination of
approaches -engineering, education, enforcement, and other
ways -to be effective and long lasting.
Community membe rs can use
checklists to assess the sa fety
of their walking environment.
7
CHAPTER 2: WHO CAN HELP ME MAKE MY
NEIGHBORHOOD A SAFER PLACE TO WALK?
Once yo u have identified and assessed a problem, it is time to take
action. This section provides a step-by-step plan of action for ad-
dressing pedestrian problems in your community. The steps should
be followed from beginning to end, but you may have already com-
pleted so me of these in identifying the pedestrian safety iss ues you
want to address.
STEP 1: DETERMINE THE SCALE OF THE ISSUE
The sca le of the problem you have identified can help you determine
which gro up s or individu als need to be involved. If it is a relatively
simple problem (e.g., a mi ss ing stop sign), then yo u may be ab le to re-
solve the issue by alerting yo ur department of transportation (DOT),
engineering department, or other local agency. Larger issue s that re-
quire more complicated and/or expensive solutions may require more
community and political support.
STEP 2: BUILD AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
D epending on the types of problems you've identified and how they
affect other residents, you will likely want to talk with others in your
community before taking st eps to contact local agencies or other
authorities. Find people with common concerns and build support for
your projects . This can help you:
• Exchange ideas with other co n cerned residents and identify ad-
ditional pedestrian safety iss ue s . Discuss ways the community can
help improve conditions for pedestrians.
• Build the support, energy, and power needed to addre ss the
problems.
• Make other re sidents aware of pedestrian safety issues and how
they can help make the community more walkable.
• Learn from others who have undertaken similar projects and gain
knowledge from past experience . Some of the skill se t s yo u need
to bring ab out improvements may already exist within yo ur neigh-
borhood or community.
R each out to the broader community quickly and efficiently by net-
working with other establi sh ed community groups . These could include:
SECTION TOPICS:
•Step l : Determine the Scale
of the Issue
•Step 2 : Build Awareness and
Community Support
•Step 3: Identify the Depart-
ment o r Agency Responsible
for Making Improvements
•Step 4 : Contact Agency
Representatives and Present
Your Case
•Step 5 : Build Support for
Long-Term Change
Commun ity members can
meet and talk about pedestri -
an issues with other residents
to bui ld support for change.
8 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
• Health/fitness o r walking groups, bicycling g roup s, and
adv ocates, such as the American H eart Association (http://www.
americanheart.org), "Walking for Fitness" program at the Mayo
Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic .com/health/walking/SMOO l Ol),
Safe Kid s national safety group (http://www.usa.safekids.org/
wtw/), America Walks (http://www.americawalks.org/)-a na -
tional coalition of loca l walking advocacy groups with links to local
orga nization s around the country-or the Leag ue of American
Bicyclist s (http://www.bikeleague.org/).
• Service-orie nted groups , such as the Boys and Girls Club, se nior
centers, and YMCA, or providers of service s for people with dis-
abi lities, including loca l chap t ers of the Center for Independent
Living (http://www.cilberkeley.org).
• Business and civ ic g roup s , such as the ch amber of commerce or
civic organizations such as the R otary C lub, Lions Club, etc.
Community Success Story l: Community Involvement During The Planning Process
Norfolk, Virginia
In the Five Points area of Norfolk, Virginia, the Civic League of Presidents (a community advocacy
group) formed a partnership to improve a busy street as part of the city's "Commercial Corridors
Program." A high school, middle school, elementary school, and community center are located
along this corridor. The partnership undertook a planning study to look at the design of the street
and revitalize the area for commercial development.
Rather than impose a plan on the residents, the group conduct-
ed in-depth community meetings and surveys to find out what
the residents wanted their community to look like. In order to
develop an identity for the area, more than 10 community meet-
ings and focus groups were conducted throughout the process,
including a "pancake dinner" to draw participants . Each meet-
ing routinely drew between 40 and 50 residents .
Residents identified top priorities for the project. The community
voted a "pilot star" to be the recurring community symbol for
bus shelters, light poles, etc. Residents were most concerned
about having a safe outdoor space to exercise and teach their children to ride bikes, a continuous
and accessible sidewalk system, and improved lighting . In response to these concerns, Norfolk is
in the process of developing a local trail system that loops around the high school and community
center, providing a safe and useful space for jogging, biking, and other recreation.
For more information, contact Kevin Kluzak at 757-664-4698 or kevin .kl uzak@norfolk.gov.
•
•
Chapter 2: Who can help me make my neighborhood a safer place to walk? 9
• School, neighborhood, and cultural group s, such as parent/
teacher groups or safety committees, neighborhood and/or h ome-
owner associations, local colleges and universities with commu-
nity health programs, or cultural community organizations such
as Latino or Native American organizations.
The Links and References section in Chapter 4 contains descriptions
and contact information for many different organizations that may
be able to help you address safety concerns in your community. You
may want to research other groups and organizations to identify ones
that share similar interests, and may provide resources and support for
your efforts . Someone in your community may already have helpful
knowledge and contact s. After you have fig u red out which groups to
contact, try sending an email or a letter to provide background infor-
mation and request an opportunity to make a presentation or join the
group's mee t ing.
Communi ty Success Story 2: Networking and Building Partnerships
Portland, Oregon
At the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) in Port-
land, Oregon, a forward-thinking manager brought together
a diverse coalition of community groups to form a Communit y
and School Traffic Safety Partnership . Included in the partner-
ship are members representing school boards, neighborhood
associations, businesses, nonprofits, advocacy groups, insur-
ance providers, enforcement agencies, and bike and pedes-
trian advocacy groups.
10U HAVE THE POWER 10U HAVE THE POWER
The coa lition implements a wide variety of programs, such as an interactive 30-minute sidewalk
pedestrian presentation . Another innovative program is the crosswalk enforcement action pro-
gram, where ODOT partners with law enforcement officers to monitor intersections, enforce driver
yielding, and provide informational pamphlets to drivers and pedestrians.
All of the partner organizations play an active role in improving pedestrian safety. For example,
various senior centers work closely with representatives from ODOT to address problem areas
and to develop localized pedestrian maps for use by members and residents. The maps show
points of interest such as transit stops, benches, water foun t ains, curb cuts, etc., and designate
a prioritized route to frequent destinations. Suggestions for revision are solicited from residents,
a bilingua l explanation of signals is included, and the maps are distributed at the senior center
and to local Meals on Wheels partners .
For more information, contact Sharon White at 503-823-71 0 0 or sharon.white @ pdxtrans .org.
10 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Resource Sheet 4 :
Loca l Sources of Info rm a -
tion Worksheet wi ll help you
identify and organize sources
of information within your
community.
Possible Questions to Ask
Public Agencie s:
•Who is responsib le for the
road I'm concerned about?
•Are other authorities in-
volved (for example, transit,
utility, law enforcement, or
emergency medical service
providers)?
•Who are the responsible
staff within the agency that
can address my concern?
• Does the agency have a
pedestrian coordinator?
•What is the agency's public
involvement process (for
example, is it during the
project planning phase,
through pedestrian/bicycle
coordinators or advisory
boards, at public meetings,
through email/phone)?
•Does the agency have a
pedestrian plan in place?
•Are there any po licies re-
lated to pedestrian facilities
and safety?
STEP 3: IDENTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY
RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING IMPROVEMENTS
It is important to figure out which department or agency is responsi-
ble for maintaining the roads in your community. In the U.S., some
roads are controlled and maintained by the state (roads with state
route numbers), while others are under the jurisdiction of counties,
cities, or towns . Still others are privately owned and maintained.
Your local planning or transportation department should be able to
tell you who owns and maintains the road in q u estion .
Decis ions about roadway improvements and programs on public
streets are made by the agencies that have jurisdiction over them.
Below are descriptions of the typical roles of agencies to help you
determine who may be responsible for addressing the pedestrian
safety concerns you've identified on your roadways.
• L o cal t ra n sportation agencies-Your local t ransportation
agency (could be called public works, transpor tation, traffic, or
street department or a p u blic utility district [PUD]) is usually
responsible for maintaining and operating local public streets and
trails and developing plans for improvements .
• R egional tran sportation agencies/m e tropolitan planning
agencies (M PO s)-Regional transportation agencies and
MPOs represent one or more communities in a geographical
region. These groups are typically responsible for developing and
implementing long-term transportation p lans, programs, and
projects for the region.
• Stat e departme nts of transport at ion -State departments of
transportation (or highway departments) are often responsible for
planning/designing, constructing, and monitoring improvements
on st ate roadways (including sidewalks, crosswalks, and signals).
Often these state roadways pass through local communities.
• Tran sit a gencies-Transit agencies are responsible for providing
bus service to the local community. The agency plans bus routes,
operates service, selects preferred locations for bus stops, and
maintains the stops. The agency must work with the owner of the
roadway (often a state or local agency or private entity) to install
the bus stops and any associated amenities.
/
Chapter 2: Who can help me make my neighborhood a safer place to walk? 11
STEP 4: CONTACT AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES AND
PRESENT YOUR CASE
Developing a relationship with transportation professionals will help
ensure they understand the issues and have the information needed
to make informed decisions. All public agencies in charge of roadway
improvements have a public process that will allow you to participate
in the decision-making at some level. Here are a few tips to ensure that
your efforts are effective:
• Make contact in person or via phone, even if you send a letter or email.
• Be brief, rational, reasonable, and to the point. Offer to provide the
documentation or evidence you have collected related to the problem .
• Ask for specific actions or state a specific problem -what is the
concern, and how do you think it could be handled?
• Consider scheduling a brief walking tour to illustrate your
points . Try to schedule your walk during a time when the
problems are evident.
• Listen carefully to their concerns and issues and try to find
common ground .
• Follow up . Be persistent.
STEP 5: BUILD SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM CHANGE
Obtaining long-term commitments from key players to make a com-
munity safer for walking requires that pedestrian safety be a prior-
ity within the transportation planning and decision-making system.
There are three parties that can influence community change: local
government staff, residents or community groups, and elected offi-
cials. To have a good chance of improving safety, two or three of the
parties need to support and work for change.
Build support with local government staff
You and other community members can help prioritize pedestrian
safety in transportation planning by asking your transportation pro-
fessionals and community leaders to:
• Establish a pedestrian advisory committee or board (PAC or
PAB) if there isn't one already.
• Create a position for a dedicated pedestrian coordinator.
• Include pedestrians in the master transportation planning process.
If your neighborhood associa-
tion wants to make pedestrian
crossings safer on a roadway,
you could work closely with
local transportation plan-
ning and engineering staff to
get approval for appropriate
engineering, education, and
enforcement treatments . You
can then work with staff to
help educate elected officials
on the benefits of these types
of improvements and show
your support for them. Your
neighborhood association
could also convince elected
officia ls of the need to improve
the safety of pedestrian cross-
ings on the roadway; elected
officials would then ask staff to
come up with specific so lutions
to make the crossing safer.
Residents can talk with elected
officials and pedestrian advisory
board members about safety
concerns .
12 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
• Conduct periodic walking tours with town staff, community
members, elected officials, etc.
• Collect data on pedestrian accommodations (e.g., sidewalk, crossing, or
lighting inventories) and usage (e.g., pedestrian and bicyclist counts).
• Develop a pedestrian plan, complete with a vis ion, measurable
goals and objectives (for pedestrian safety, access, etc.), strategies
for meeting those goals, and dedicated funding and staff
• Establi sh performance measures for safety, u sage, pedestrian ac-
commodations, and other programs-these act li ke a report card
for how well the agency is meeting its goals and objectives .
Community Success Story 3: Agencies Work with Community Members to Create Action Plan
Charleston, South Carolina
In 2003, in response to community pressure to improve conditions for bicyclists and pedestri-
ans, the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG)-the region's
MPO -submitted a successful proposal for funding to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's
Active Living by Design Program. The $200,000 grant funded the creation of a regional bicycle
and pedestrian action plan as well as a partnership to promote health and active living.
CHATS Transportation Questionaire
Question : If you had $100 to spend on tran sportation
improvements, how would you spend it?
Maintain Adequate
Bus Service
Repave Roads,
Add Signs
Build/Repair
Sidewalks
Improve Traffic Flow
1aen/Build
•Y·
$11
en!Bu1ld
or Roads
Improve Neighborhood Safety
The partnership included a bicycle and pedestrian
advocacy group, the South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control, the South Caro-
lina Department of Transportation, the Medical
University of South Carolina, and several health-
care organizations. The action plan contained
three main goals: 1) to implement a Safe Routes
to School program, 2) to implement "complete
streets" policies to make roads accessible for all
users, and 3) to begin community in tervention pro-
grams to improve bicycling and walking conditions .
These goals were accomplished through a n orga-
nized framework that outlined specific actions and
performance measures for each of these goals .
The community was involved during the planning process. During the creation of the long-range
transportation plan, the BCDCOG distributed a survey asking local residents how much they would
spend on different transportation infrastructure elements if given just $100. On average, respon-
dents allocated $24 for pedestrian and bicycle improvements, in contrast to the existing allocation of
$0.05 for every $100 spent currently. The agency took steps towards narrowing this d iscrepancy by
allocating $30 million for pedestrian and bicycle improvements over the next 21 years.
For more information, visit the BCDCOG Web site at http ://www.bcdcog.com/.
/
Chapter 2: Who can help me make my neighborhood a safer place to walk? 13
• Assess ex isting ordina n ces and p olicies related to p ed es t r ians and
en sure they support w alking .
• Es t ablish procedure s fo r p erforming ro adway maintenance , inst all-
ing side walks, and identify ing and address ing p edes trian problem s.
• T ra in age n cy transportati on planner s and t ra ffi c eng inee r s in
p ed es trian planning and des ig n.
• D eve lop p artner ship s and improve d co mmunication bet wee n
age n cies r es p on sible for p ed es trian infras tructure , including ro ad-
way m ainte n a n ce cr ews, t ra ffi c sig n al op erat or s, ro adway des ig n -
er s and pla nner s, and t ra n sit pl anner s and op erator s.
• Encourage proj ec t s and prog rams that ca n support and promote
safe wa lking and sa fe walking environments .
Community Success Story 4: Community Action and Fundraising
Portland, Oregon
A determined community member in Portland, Oregon,
took the lead to support pedestrian safety after a local
resident was killed crossing a street at night in the rain .
As the new co-chair of the transportation committee for
her all-vo lun teer neighborhood association, she had the
idea to create bright fluorescent yellow umbrellas marked
with pedestrian crossing symbols and transparent sections
to look through . With this innovative design, pedestrians
could stay dry in the rainy climate and act as their own
moving pedestrian crossing sign at the same time.
She contacted the owner of a local umbrella company
who was eager to work with her and agreed to put the new
product in their catalog. To get funding for the project, she
Resource Sheet 5:
Anticipating Concerns will
help you prepare for potential
concerns expressed by local
transportation agency staff
members .
submitted grants to two main sources: the City's Office of Neighborhood Involvement, and a local
grant program set up to offset the inconvenience caused by a nearby waste transfer station.
In addition, she contacted the city council with specific requests : the installation of painted cross-
walks at every intersection in the neighborhood, an in-street pedestrian crossing sign, and traffic
calming. The Portland Depa rtment of Transportation (POOT) granted the requests . The City also
conducted active crosswalk enforcement to deter crosswalk violations .
POOT continues to work with community members and neighborhood organizations to hold safety
fairs, where the umbrel las are sold at a reduced cost. POOT also purchased umbrellas to distrib-
ute to older pedestrians at senior centers and food distribution centers.
For more information, visit http ://portlandtransport.com/archives/2007/02/proactive _pedes.html.
14 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Resource Sheet 6:
Ten Things Your Pedestrian
Group Can Do can help you
organize and advocate for
pedestrians.
Speak with other residents and
organizations to share interests
and build partnerships .
For More Information:
There are several examples of successful pedestrian coalitions that
have brought together a wide range of peop le to improve condi-
tions for wa lking:
•Feet First Seattle
(http://www.feetfirst.info/aboutus)
•Walk Boston
(http://www.walkboston .org/)
•Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition
(http://www.vtbikeped.org/)
Tips for starting or joining an advocacy organization can be found
at http://www.walkinginfo .org and http://www.americawa lks .org.
Build support with local residents and community groups
• Join or form a pedestrian coalition -Joini ng or forming a
coalition of groups with similar interes t s can strengthen yo u r
likelihood of success in working with city st aff and el ec t ed of-
ficia l s t o make pedestrian i mprovements. P a rtners in the coali-
tion may include:
• Law enfor cement offi cials, including officers and mem-
b ers of the judiciary.
• H ea lth industry, including doctors, nurses, dieticians, and
h ea lth ed u ca t ors.
People in t ransport ation and development, including engi-
neers, planners, and developers.
• Parents, senior citizens, school s , parks, and recreation
d epartment s .
• Area r esi d ent s and n eighborhoo d associations .
• Local business lea ders.
• Look for state or national organizations -These can provide
yo u or your community with support. For national advocacy
group contact materials, see the Links and R eftrences sec t ion in
Chapter 4.
• Look for existing coalitions in y our area -Visit the Links and
Reftrences sec tion in Chapter 4 to find coalitions and alliances
related to walking.
• Join or speak with your local pedestrian advisory board -Most
medium to large communities will have a pedestrian adviso ry b oard
/
Chapter 2: Who can help me make my neighborhood a safer place to walk? 15
or committee (PAB or PAC). Members of co mmunity boards/
committees ca n be :
• Partners for advocacy efforts.
• Li aisons to loc al pla nning and engineering offic ial s.
• A goo d re so urce for finding out what i s going on in yo ur
local community.
Many co mmunities also have se parate disa bility advisory boards, or
sub -groups within the PAB concerned with iss ues related to young
pedes trians, older pedestria n s, and people with disabilities . You can
usu ally find the contacts for yo ur local PAB through your cit y, town,
or county Web si te or phone directory. If yo ur are a doe s not have a
PAB , then you ca n work with yo ur local elected officials to create a
PAB through an official action or resolution.
Bu ild support with elected officia ls
Elec t ed leaders (s uch as city council members, co unty commissions,
bo ard of supervisors, or sc hool board trustees) ca n be t argets for advo-
cating safe r p ed es trian facilities . You can:
• Write or call a member or the chairperso n and discu ss the issues
one-on-one.
• Request time at the nex t meeting of elected official s to speak
about pedes trian sa fet y.
• Prepare a brief presentation or handout that includes image s
that demonstrate your key points. For example, if yo u are explain-
ing to the sc hool board that the sc hool pick up and drop off area is
chaotic, provide photos that support your assertion .
Invite officials on a walking tour to experience the conditions
that you are trying to improve. This is often a ve ry effective
method of ge tting elected official s to recognize pedes trian con-
cerns and participate in the improvement proces s.
For More Information:
See an example pedestrian safety initiative by a public officia l in
Montgomery County, Maryland: http ://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/
cittmpl.asp?url=/Content/PIO/news/pedestriansafety/index.asp.
For More Information:
The Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA)
guide, How to De velop a
Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
(http://www.wa lkinginfo .org /
library/d etails .cfm ?id =229)
has information on the bene-
fits and responsibilities of PABs
and guidance on how to cre-
ate and run an effective PAB .
For More Information:
See the Frequently Asked
Questions in Chapter 4 to
learn more about how you
can advocate for chan ge and
influence pedestrian safety
decisions .
Invite officials on a walking tour
to experience the conditions you
seek to improve.
16 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Community Success Story 5: Comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Campaign
Burlington, Vermont
The Burlington Department of Public Works is one partner in a long-term effort to institutionalize
pedestrian safety in Burlington's community. In 2006, they launched an annual pedestrian safety
campaign, based on materials in the Federal Highway Administration's Pedestrian Safety Cam-
paign Planner (http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/local _program/pedcampaign/index.htm). The campaign
included engineering, education, and enforcement components.
For the engineering component, the town worked to:
• Develop a multi-modal transportation improve-
ment plan.
• Plan, develop, and construct an inter-modal
transit facility in downtown Burlington to improve
pedestrian access to transit.
• Improve circulat ion and access around the water-
front for all modes, with particular emphasis on
enhancing the safety and convenience of pedes-
trian travel.
• Facilitate the development of pedestrian improvements in key locations .
On the enforcement side, the Department worked with the mayor and police department to dis-
tribute educational materials to violators, with specific information targeted at motorists, cyclists,
and pedestrians. Extra enforcement in the downtown area focused on bicycle-and pedestrian-
related violations.
For the education component, public service announcements were broadcast over radio and tele-
vision and displayed on safety slides at the downtown cinema. The Department of Public Works
collaborated with the mayor, police department, and local advocacy organizations to develop
press releases and hold press conferences highlighting safety initiatives, using the media to spread
the message . Additionally, safety coupons were designed and distributed for discounts on reflec-
tive clothing and other safety products. For more information, visit:
http://www.dpw.ci.burlington.vt.us/transportation/bikewalk/safety/.
CHAPTER 3: HOW CAN THE SAFETY OF MY
NEIGHBORHOOD BE IMPROVED?
It is not always necessary for community members to come up with a
solution to the problems they've identified; typically, local agency profes-
sionals will be aware of several possible options . However, the following
information will help build your vocabulary and understanding of the
type of so lutions that may be available to help improve pedestrian condi-
tions in your neighborhood. This information will also help you more
effectively communicate and collaborate with agencies and other group s.
Pedestrian transportation improvements are often described in t erms
of the Four Es:
1. Engineering-Physical changes to infrastructure (i .e., streets,
sidewalks, traffic signals, signs, etc .) that affect the operation and
movement of traffic and pedestrians.
2. Education -Includes strategies that aim to educate pedestrians,
drivers, or other groups in order to motivate a change in behavior.
3. Enforcement-Community-based or law-agency-based mea-
sures to enforce laws and regulations related to pedestrians.
4. Encouragement-Efforts to promote walking and increase the
level of walking in a community.
A combination of transportation improvements (e.g., making engi-
neering changes as well as implementing education and enforcement
campaigns) applied in the same area will likely be more successfu l at
resolving pedestrian problems than only using one approach .
Not every solution described in this section will be appropriate for your
particular situation; you should discuss these with your local transpor-
tation agency and other partners (pedestrian advocates, h ealth profes-
sionals, law enforcement officia ls, elected officials, etc .) to determine
which solution-or set of solutions-will best meet the needs of your
community. Use these questions to guide your discussion:
• Can you change policies affecting the safety of pedestrians? How?
• What is the range of improvement options that might be consid-
ered in this situation? (Even if you've already developed a list of
solutions, there might be others you haven't considered .)
• What is our community's policy or guideline about installing or
implementing these measures?
SECTION TOPICS:
•Engineering
•Education
•Enforcement
•Encouragement
Well-designed streets and
crossings can help make
walking safe and enjoyable .
18 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Resource Sheet 7:
Engineering Solutions to
Improve Pedestrian Safety
describes several poten tial
engineering solutions and lists
common concerns that your
local agency or other resi -
dents may have .
Buffers can help separate
pedestrians from motor
vehicles and improve safety.
• Do we have an ongoing procedure for installing and maintaining
this improvement?
• Are there alternatives that should be considered?
• How much of the budge t is se t aside for pedestrian programs and
improvements in m y community? Can it be increased?
• I s there a neighborhood advisory group that advises the d e-
partment about traffic and pede strian issue s? If not, can yo u
form one?
• Who el se might share my concern?
Collaborating with neighbors, groups, agencies, and elected officials;
sharing re sea rch and information; respecting other's perspective s; and
seeking creative so lution s can help you find reasonable solutions to
pedestrian sa fet y issue s.
ENGINEERING
This section provides yo u with a li st and definition of basic engineer-
ing so lutions that may be used to improve pedestrian safe ty and acces-
sibility in your co mmunity. These tre atments range from constructing
a si dewalk (to improve safety along the street), to adding median
islands and installing pede strian countdown signals (to improve
safe ty while crossing the street). Any challenges related to design or
implementation of each potential solution, in addition to the associ-
ate d costs, should be considered. You should try to t alk to people with
transportation engineering expertise (for example, professionals with
yo ur local transportation department) so you can de velop a better
understanding of these approaches.
For More Information:
•The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guide PEDSAFE: Pedes-
trian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System
(http://www.walkinginfo.org/pedsafe) provides detailed descriptions
of a range of treatments that may be used to improve pedestrian
safety, in addition to cost information and other considerations .
•The Institute of Transportation Engineers' (ITE) Web site and CD-ROM
contain a public information video, It's Yo ur Street: Making Traffic
Improvements in your Neighborhood (http:/!216.12.138.8 1/default.asp),
illustrating how a community worked togethe r to reclaim their neigh-
borhood from speeding cars and comm uter cut-throughs .
•Chapter 5 of the FHWA guide, How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety
Action Plan (http://www.walkinginfo.org/library/details.cfm?id =229)
describes improvements and provides information on costs.
Chapter 3: How can the safety of my neighborhood be improved? 19
Photos and more information about each of the improvements listed
below can be found in the resources sheets, and comprehensive lists
of engineering solutions can be found online (see sidebar for more
information).
Typical engineering improvements
• Sidewalk -A paved walkway that allows pedestrians to walk
along the roadway without interference from traffic.
• Buffer or planting strip-A zone separating pedestrians on side-
walks from moving vehicles on the road.
• Marked crosswalk-Areas on the street (delineated by paint,
brick, etc.) indicating to pedestrians where they should cross
the road.
• Curb ramp or curb cut-A ramp providing a smooth transition
between sidewalk and street.
• Raised medians and crossing islands -The median is the area
between opposing lanes of traffic. These provide pedestrians with
a safe place to wait while crossing a street.
• Curb extension -An extension of the sidewalk into the street
that reduces the distance pedestrians must cross .
• Traffic sign -An officia l device that gives a specific message,
either by words or symbols, to the public. Examples are "s top,"
" . ld" y1e , etc.
• Traffic signal-A visual signal to control the flow of traffic. Pe-
destrian signals let pedestrians know when they h ave priority and
warn drivers to stop/yield for pedestrians.
• Traffic calming -Physical changes to a street to encourage driv-
ers to drive slowly or to discourage cut-through traffic.
• Road diet-Narrowing or eliminating travel lanes on a roadway
to make more room for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Overpasses/underpasses-A street crossing separating pedestri-
ans from motor ve hicle traffi c (i .e., bridge or tunnel).
• Street lighting-This illuminates the roadway and intersections
to help motorists see other motor vehicles and pedestrians cross-
ing the roadway.
• Temporary walkways-These provide pedestrians with d esig-
nated routes along a construction site when sidewalks and other
pedestrian t ravel ways have b een closed.
For More Information:
Most states have adopted
a traffic calming guide, so
look for one on your state
department of transportation
(DOT) Web site. Two re-
sources about traffic ca lming
for communities include :
• TransAlt's Streets for People
(http ://www.tra nsa lt.org/
resou rces /streets4 peop le):
a how-to manual for people
to bring traffic calming to
their neighborhood.
• ITE Traffic Calming for
Communities Web site
(http ://www.ite .org /traffic/
index .html): a clearinghouse
of traffic calming information .
Raised medians can make it
safer and easier for pedestri-
ans to cross wide streets .
20 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
For More Information:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that states and
local governments have a plan (often called a transition plan) for
upgrading existing facilities that do not meet the minimum require-
ments detailed by the U.S . Access Board. For more information,
contact the U.S. A ccess Board : (http ://www.access-board.gov), 800-
872-2253 (voice), or 800-993-2822 (telecommunications device
fo r th e deaf).
Maintenance of pedestrian accommodations
P ed es tria n acco mmod ation s, such as si d ew alks, bus st op s, light-
ing, a nd sig n al s, n ee d t o b e maintained . N eighbors ca n ass ist w ith
l andsc aping m ainten an ce on private p ro p erty n e ar sid ewalks, as we ll
as with sn ow and d ebris r emoval. Some co mmunities h ave p artnered
w ith local bu sinesses t o d evel op an "A d opt a Bus Shelter " prog ram ,
w h ere bu sinesses ass ist w ith m aintaining the bus stop s and cle aring
snow alon g the n ea rb y p ed es trian p aths . The loc al transp ortation
agency may h ave (o r co uld es tabli sh ) a sid ewalk m ainten an ce a nd
Community Success Story 6: Planning and Engineering Solutions for Pedestrian Safety
Cambridge, Massachusetts
In 2000, Cambridge unveiled its pedes t rian plan, an
effort toward removing the city from the list of metropoli-
tan areas not meeting the federal Clean Air Act require-
ments. Recognizing that the automobile is the greatest
single source of air, water, and land pol l ution and that
the majority of trips in Cambridge are short trips most
easily replaced by walking, the City undertook a plan to
improve the walking environment. In addition to many in-
novative education campaigns, the City performed roadway redesign, sidewalk improvements and
repairs, signal improvements, traffic calming projects, and installed crosswalks, lighting, and street
furniture in priority spots across town.
Additionally, Cambridge developed a questionnaire to elicit residents' opinions of traffic-calming
projects after their completion. Responses were used to improve future projects. Sidewalk mainte-
nance has improved i n the city, largely due to greater enf~xcement of local ordinances. The City
requires property owners, for instance, to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice and to trim vegeta-
tion; such early prevention reduces repair costs in the long run.
For more information, visit http://www.ci.cambridge.ma.us/cdd/et/ped/index.html.
j
Chapter 3: How can the safety of my neighborhood be improved? 21
improvement program. The program could include a periodic inven-
tory of si dewalk conditions and responsibility for maintenance. Con-
tact your local agency to determine if such a program exists, or where
residents can go to request maintenance of pedestrian infrastructure.
Improving access to transit stops (including school bus stops)
An important destination for many pedestrians is the transi t stop.
Transi t stop s need to be safe and accessible for people of all abi litie s.
Common transit concerns are :
• There is no sa fe crossing to get to the bus stop.
• There is no curb ramp or wheelchair access to the bu s stop.
• There is no si dewalk or path to easily get to the stop.
Community Success Story 7: Safe Route to School Walking School Bus Program
Sacramento, California
At Natomas Park Elementary School in Sacramento,
California, parents organize the "walking school bus,"
which includes five routes based on where children live,
and a schedule for each stop. In order to participate,
parents register their children ahead of time.
Walk leaders include parents and employees from a
local business. Each volunteer must have a background
check prior to participation. Training for volunteers is
provided by the parent leader and includes first aid,
CPR, and pedestrian safety. While walking, volunteers
wear safety vests and carry first aid kits.
To recognize the walkers' achievements, parent volunteers track the total number of miles walked
during the school year and announce it at a year-end assembly.
About 50 children participate, and many more children are now seen walking to school. Organiz-
ers have recently expanded the activity to include remote sites where parents can drop off their
children, and adult volunteers walk with the children the rest of the way to school.
Walking school buses are one of many ways in which parents and community members can par-
ticipate in local Safe Routes to School Programs (SRTS). Most programs involve a variety of activi-
ties, including engineering improvements, education, enforcement, and encouragement. For other
examples and models of SRTS activities, visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School Online
Guide at http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide/case _ studies/index.cfm.
22 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Resource Sheet 8:
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
and Drivers provides a list of
useful personal safety tips .
Slowdown
Watch for kids 0 AMERICAN FAMILV
Example yard sign campaign .
Stop for
Pedestrians
Thin k of th e Impact You Could Make
1.11m1> ;lllol ITK-tlJ• ;•h' 1mpV1:u11 io .1 11 oi u;.. umc
.,.tl(·h 1:il.cW11m.:,0 SlO l 'll"lff~n.111' \1111
··~mW ~1\c u hf~-or •h;u1~c \our. fon:H r
Graphic from FHWA's
Pedestrian Safety Campaign
Planner.
The location of a bus stop (e.g., if it comes before or after an in-
tersection or is in the middle of the block) plays an important
part in how safe and convenient it will be for bus r iders to access.
Transit agencies and school districts often choose bus stop loca-
tions based on where it is safe for the bus to stop, but they may not
consider where pedestrians can walk safely and easily. To further
complicate matters, road agencies-not transit agencies or school
districts -usually have the responsibility of providing pedestrian
accommodations near and at bus stops.
Many transit access problems can be addressed by the methods de-
scribed in the previous section. In some cases, the transit agency or
school district may need to review and modify their policies related to
bus stop locations to ensure that pedestrian safety is adequately incor-
porated into the decision process. In either case, partnerships between
community members, road agencies, and transit authorities or school
districts are crucial in identifying concerns and working to improve
conditions. If you have concerns about the bus stops in your commu-
nity, contact your local road agency to find out who has jurisdiction over
the roadway and pedestrian infrastructure in that area. You could also
call the local transit agency or school district and encourage them to
work more closely with the responsible road agency to make the needed
improvements. School buses are often operated by school districts, indi-
vidual schools, or contractors providing school bus service. Contact the
school to find out who is providing service and who to call.
EDUCATION
Education and public awareness strategies can be used to:
• Provide information to help motivate a change in specific behavior.
• Teach safety skills that can reduce the risk of injury.
• Raise awareness about particular pedestrian issues.
• Encourage people to think about attitudes and behaviors and
make informed choices.
Education and public awareness initiatives must be sustained, con-
centrated efforts that target a specific community problem. A short
or one-time effort will probably not have lasting results. To be more
effective, education efforts should be combined with engineering
changes as well as law enforcement.
Education begins at home-start by learning how you can be a safer
pedestrian and driver, and how you can better enable your children,
Chapter 3: How can the safety of my neighborhood be improved? 23
family, and friends to be safe on the road. To expand education and
public awareness efforts to the broader community, here are some
activities to improve pedestrian safety that you can join or start:
• Yard sign campaigns-Slow down yard sign campaigns (such as
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 ®) allow residents with concerns about
speeding in their community to help remind drivers to slow down
and stop for pedestrians. Neighborhood leaders, safety advocates,
and law enforcement officials work in partnership to identify
problem areas, recruit residents to post yard signs, organize dis-
tribution of yard signs, garner media attention, and evaluate the
effectiveness of the campaign.
• Pace car campaigns -Neighborhood pace car programs aim to
make neighborhoods safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.
Resident pace car drivers agree to drive courteously, at or below
the speed limit, and follow other traffic laws. Programs usually
require interested residents to register as a pace car driver, sign a
pledge to abide by the rules, and display a sticker on their vehicle.
• School-based education programs-There are many people
who can support your efforts to implement pedestrian safety
training in schools. They can provide a history of what has been
done, a description of current policies and practices, and help
identify improvements to be made.
For More Information:
Visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School Web site
(http://www.saferoutesinfo .org/) or call 866-610-SRTS for more
information about educating children, parents, and teachers
about pedestrian issues and starting a Safe Routes to Schoo l
program 1n your area.
For developing education programs within your schools, consider
contacting the superintendent of public instruction, the state or school
PTA president, the school nurse, the governor's traffic safety repre-
sentative, or the district superintendent. Other venues, such as parks
and recreation programs, after-school programs, and churches may
also provide opportunities for both pedestrian and bicycle safety edu-
cation. Some questions to ask include:
1. Is pedestrian education a routine part of health and safety objec-
tives for children in schools?
2. If not, what steps can be taken to ensure that schools implement
school-based training on a continuing basis?
Resource Sheet 9:
Strategies for Pedestrian
Safety Education and
Public Awareness describes
what types of education ac-
tivities may be taking place in
your community and how you
can get involved .
--.............. -.....,. ___ _
"coutd-,_, liM.-
or di...-h foN-.
...... _ .................. --·----
Sample educational brochures
in English and Spanish for
pedestrians .
24 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities l
For More Information:
•Visit http ://www.walkinginfo.org or call 877-925-5245 for tips on
i mplementing an education program .
• FHWA's Planning a Pedestrian Safety Campaign Web site
(http ://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/local _program /pedcampaign/index.ht m)
contains downloadable posters, brochures, public service an-
nouncements, press releases, and other materials for English and
Spanish-speaking audiences.
ENFORCEMENT
Pedestrian safety laws
An important first step in enforcement is to find out your state's laws
related to pedestrian safety and where they apply (e.g., city, county, or
specific roadway).
Community Success Story 8: Pedestrian Safety Education
San Diego County, California
Developers of a child pedestrian safety training program in San Diego County targeted a bilingual,
low-income school where the majority of the children walked to school. Studies have shown that first-
generation low income school children are at a much higher risk of pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
The presentations were done bilingually, using still images
and video footage from their own neighborhood to make the
lessons more relevant and concrete. Students were asked to
identify the unsafe behaviors depicted and to suggest safer
alternatives. For example, they were shown an image (at right)
of children in dark clothing walking across an intersection
where a car had already begun to turn into and were asked
questions such as : were the children very visible to the car,
and should the children have walked into the street?
Other topics covered included stopping distances of vehicles in the rain, at different speeds and
for large trucks; mid-block crossings; facing t raffic while walking; running; turning vehicles and
more. In a survey conducted two weeks later, it was found that the children were largely able to
retain the information presented earlier. However, many students responded that they felt their
parents, the Safety Patrol, or their siblings were responsible for their safety, and also that "cars will
always stop for kids." Thus, it was determined that there was a greater need to emphasize to the
children that they were the ones responsible for their own safety in future training materials .
For more information, contact Sheila Sarker at shsarkar@ucsd.edu.
Chapter 3: How can the safety of my neighborhood be improved? 25
All states have a W eb site where they post their laws pertaining to pe-
de strians and bi cycli st s. The N ational Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration (NHTSA) produce d a compilation of state p ed es tria n laws,
avai lab le at http://www.nhtsa .d ot.gov/p eo ple /injury/pedbimo t/bike/
reso urceg uide/index .html. You can also contact yo ur st at e's depart-
ment of transp ortation or read yo ur state's Motor Vehicle Code for a
li st of statewide pedestrian st atute s.
There are federal l aws that regulate what pedestrian accommo da-
tions m u st be provided and h ow accommo dations ar e d esigned. The
Americans with Disa bilities Act mandates that di sa bled persons h ave
full access to public infrastructure in the United States. This means that
newly co nstructed public stree t s must h ave prop er curb ramps, si dewalks,
driveways, and tactile warning strip s at stree t crossings.
For More Information:
Many state departments of transportation have a bureau or division
of bicycle and pedestrian transportation Web site that lists all of the
pedestrian-related laws for the state. For some examples, visit :
•North Carolina DOT Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
(http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/laws /laws _pedlaws .html).
•Florida DOT Pedestr ian and Bicycle Safety Program
(http ://www.dot.state.fl .us/Safety/ped _ bike/laws/ped _bike _pedlaws.htm).
•Washington DOT Walking in Washington
(http ://www .wsdot.wa .gov/walk /Laws.htm).
Stra tegies fo r local law enforcement
Th ere are a number of strateg ies that yo ur local law enforcement agen-
cy can undert ake to enforc e laws that will improve pedestrian safety.
You sh ould d iscuss these with law enforce m ent professionals to see
which are feasib le in yo ur community :
• Traffic complaint hotline -An agency establi sh es a central hot-
line phone number or Web si t e to receive t ra ffi c complaints.
• Pedestrian safety enforcement operations -A lso called p edes-
trian dec oys, these are well-prepared and coordin at ed ope rations
designed to warn m otoris t s that the yield -to-p ed estrian laws will
be enforced at t arge t ed locati ons .
• Photo enforcement -In states w h ere au t omat ed photo speed
enforce m ent is permissible, it ca n be used to concentrate sp eed
enfo rcem ent in specific areas with high volumes of pedestrian
cross ings, su ch as school zo n es .
Resource Sheet 10:
Enforcement Contact
Worksheet can be used to
help guide your discussion
when contacting your local
law enforcement agency.
Law enforcement off icers can
help ensure that pedestrians,
bicyclists , and motorists abide
by traffic laws.
26 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Resource Sheet 11:
Sample "Warning" Letter
to Drivers is a sample letter
for drivers that can be distrib-
uted by law enforcement of-
ficers as part of an education
or enforcement campaign .
Progressive ticketing can be
an effective way to alert road
users to pedestrian -related
laws and safety concerns.
Radar speed trailers can
supplement motor officer
enforcement of safe speeds .
• High visibility enforcement-Local agencies can help to
improve driver and pedestrian safety by publicizing enforce-
ment efforts and conducting the enforcement where people will
see it. Local news outlets often carry stories on these type s
of efforts. Highly publicized enforcement (of even low-level
enforcement) targeted toward s a speci fic behavior is likely to be
most effective.
• Progressive ticketing -Progressive ticketing is a method for
introducing ticke ting through a three-stage process, to first
educate, t hen warn, the n ticket offenders. I ss uing warnings
allows police to contact up to 20 times as many noncompli-
a nt motori st s or pedestrians than the writing of citations does.
In addition, the high frequency of stops ensures not only that
many people directly make contact with l aw enforceme nt, but
al so that many others witness these stops and are prompted to
o bey the rules.
• Double fines in school zones and other special interest
areas-Strict enforcement of speed laws in school zo ne s and
other special interest districts or areas is one law enforcement
tool that can improve sa fety for pedestrians as well as motor-
ists. A zero tolerance policy for speeders in these zones and an
increase in fines for drivers who violate the posted spee d limit
are potential approaches.
Strategies for community members
You and other community members can also help improve driver and
pedestrian behaviors to improve safety in seve ral ways.
• Neighborhood speed watch-R adar spee d u nit s are loaned to
residents who are trained by police to co llect speed data and vehi-
cle descriptions. The local agency follows up and sends the vehicle
owner s a letter asking for voluntary compliance. This measure can
educate ne ighbors about the is sue (e .g., spee ders often live in the
neighborhood) and h elp boost support for long-term solution s,
such as traffi c calming.
• Radar speed trailers and active speed monitors -R adar speed
trailers can be used and supplemented with motor officer en-
force ment t o educate people and help boost support for long-
term so lution s.
• Adult school crossing guards-Adult cross ing g uard s ca n play a
key role in promoting safe driver and pedestrian behavior at cross-
walks near sc hools. Adult sc hool cros sing guards can be parent
Chapter 3: How can the safety of my neighborhood be improved? 27
Commu nity Success Story 9: Enforcement Component of the Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project
Oakland, California
During the late 1990s, Oakland had the second highest rate of pedestrian fatalities among
California cities . The Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project was formed to prevent pedestrian deaths
and injuries. Along with several education initiatives, the City committed to greater enforcement
efforts. Community members and city staff worked side by side with the police department to send
the message that pedestrians have the right-of-way at intersections . Television coverage of the ef-
forts helped spread this message to a larger audience. Today, aggressive pedestrian right-of-way
enforcement occurs at a minimum of 20 locations annually, with an average of 30 citations issued
per location to motorists violating the right-of-way of a pedestrian .
For more information, visit http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/opsp .html.
volunteers, school staff, or paid personnel. Annual classroom and
field training, as well as special uniforms or equipment to increase
visibility, are recommended (and in some locations required).
ENCOURAGEMENT
When it comes to walking, there is safety in numbers. More people
walking makes it safer for all pedestrians because drivers are more likely
to expect pedestrians. By encouraging more walking in your communi-
ty, you can gather support to make additional pedestrian improvements
as well as foster a safer and close-knit walking community.
Two ideas for promoting walking in your community:
1. Get involved in Safe Routes to School Programs-Get children,
parents, school officials, and teachers to participate in Safe Routes
to School programs and other school-based walking events.
2. Start a Walk to Work or "Car Free" Day-This can start with
the people you live and work with or can include the broader
community.
Safe Routes to School pro-
grams can help encourage
children and others to walk
more often.
28 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Community Success Story 10: Get Active Orlando Encouragement Program
Orlando, Florida
The Get Active Orlando program-funded by Active Living By
Design-aims to encourage and facilitate walking and biking in
the downtown area. The program's vision is to establish down-get
town Orlando and it s adjacent neighborhoods as an "Active
Living District," with residents, employees, and visitors routinely
making active choices in an environment that encourages safe
physical activity. The program is supported by a broad coalition
of local agencies, health services, and advocacy groups which maintains a strong partnership with
local neighborhood association leaders, sending a representative to every association meeting.
Through this personal contact and regular newsletters of current events, residents voice concerns
and have questions answered.
Funding efforts have led to $25,000 of gas tax revenue reserved for installing bikeways around the
city, and a state grant with matching local funds provides for trails, sidewalk improvements, bike
parking, urban gardens, senior walking groups, and more. Community programs such as hip hop
and golf classes have also been implemented in response to resident interest. Regular communica-
tion between all the partners maintains the strong, long-term partnership that drives the initiatives.
The Get Active Orlando partnership plans to develop and implement a campaign that focuses on
the importance of daily active living and is developing a "Point of Choice" campaign that edu-
cates people on their options for active traveling. For more information, visit
http://www.activeliving .org/node/291 .
This sec tion of the g uide is d esig n ed to p rov id e yo u with esse ntial
informa tio n on pe d es tria n iss u es as w ell as r efere n ces fo r fi nding ad-
ditional d et ails. You w ill find d efin itio n s to commonly u se d terms and
an swers to fr eq uent ques tion s, as well as a summar y of other u se ful
so u rces fo r p ed es t r ian sa fet y info rmation .
DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
The follow ing is some impor t ant, b asic ter m inology that yo u may h ea r
t ra n spor t ation profess ionals a nd p ed es trian advocat es u se in relation
to p ed es t r ian s and p ed es trian acco mmod ation s:
Public right-of-way (ROW)
The strip of land on w hich in fr as tructure su ch as highways, ra ilro ad s,
or p ower lines are bu ilt . The right-of-way includes the area where
sidewalks are built and traffic signs are posted. Obtaining the ROW
to bu ild a sidewalk is often a sig nifica nt ch allenge .
Shared-use path or trail
A sh ared-u se p ath (so m etimes ca lled multi-u se or off-s t reet paths or
t ra il s) can b e u sed by p ed es t r ia n s, bi cycli st s, inline sk ater s, a nd other s .
It t ypically is phys ica lly sep arated (u su ally on a separate right-of-way)
fr om mo tor ve hicle traffi c by an op en sp ace or b arrier .
Sidewalk easement
A sid ewalk easement is a limited r ight to u se an ot he r 's land fo r the
purpose of co n st ruc ti ng, altering, rel ocating, ex t ending, m aint aining,
or u sing a public si d ewalk. Sid ewa lk ease m ents are often es t ablish ed
in contrac t s b et ween town agenc ies and private property owner s in a
coop erative effort t o provid e space fo r p ed es trians.
Unmarked crosswalk
A n unmarke d cro sswalk is the p ortion of a roadway included within
the ex t ensio n or connection of imag inar y boundary lines of sidewalks
at intersection s. It is legal t o cross at unmarked crosswalks at int ersec-
tion s (u nless a r es t ric tion is p os ted), but many drivers , p ed es t r ian s,
and even l aw en forceme nt offi ce r s m ay n ot know this .
29
SECTION TOPICS:
•Definition of Key Terms
•Frequently Asked Quest ions
•Links and References
30 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
High connectivity for cars and
pedestrians .
Low connectivity for cars and
pedestrians .
Low connectivity fo r cars; high
con nectivity for pedestrians .
Street connectivity
Streets that are not well connected can limit people's abilities to travel in the
most direct path, increase distances to destinations, require larger intersec-
tions to move vehicular traffic, increase a pedestrian's exposure to vehicles
(which increases the risk of being hit), and can discourage walking.
When a town or developer proposes a new plan or development project,
you can attend public hearings, ask questions about street design and con-
nectivity, and provide inputs that can influence the developer or town of-
ficials to improve connectivity for pedestrians. Find out about new propos-
als by regularly monitoring your community's schedule for public hearings.
For existing communities with poor connectivity, you can request that
the town build sidewalks/paths or purchase sidewalk easements between
cul-de-sacs to better connect the pedestrian network (see image), or work
with neighbors to allow and ultimately develop informal paths/trails.
Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires that all
facilities covered by the law be "accessible" to people with all abilities.
"Accessible" designs are covered by the ADA Accessibility Guidelines
(ADAAG). The term "accessible" is often used to describe environ-
ments that meet these st andards .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are a number of questions that frequently arise when discussing
pedestrian transportation and safety issues . This section is intended to
help you become more knowledgeable about these issues.
What are the functions of street s?
People have a right to safe streets that are able to serve multiple pur-
poses, including:
• Connecting places within cities and providing access to destinations.
Providing the surface and structure to support a variety of travel modes,
including walking, bicycling, transit, driving, emergency services, etc.
• Providing space for utilities and other underground infrastructure.
• Creating a sense of place and opportunities for community inter-
action by being a venue for parties, fairs, parades, and community
celebrations, or by simply being a place where neighbors stop to chat.
Chapter 4: I need more information! 31
How does driver speed relate to pedestrian-motorist collisions ?
Nationally, there are around 5,000 pedestrian fatalities and about
64,000 injuries every year. These fatalities occur in urban, suburban,
and rural areas and affect people of all age, race/ethnicity, and physical
ability. There are a number of contributing factors to each pedestrian
collision, but one of the most important issues related to pedestrian
injuries and deaths is driver speed. The faster a driver is traveling, the
more difficult it is to stop, and the greater the chance of a pedestrian's
death if he or she is hit by the vehicle (see images below).
Minimum Stopping Distance vs. Speed
350 .----------------,
300
Total Stopping 250
Distance (ft)
D Stopping
Distance
D Thinking
Dis tance
200
150
100
50
100
90
BO
70
Pedestrian's Chance so
of Death if Hit by
Motor Vehicle(%) so
40
30
20
10
245
180
122
80
46
63 ., 70
20 30 40 50 60 70
Motor Vehicle Speed (mph)
Shortest Stopping Distances
I I
20 30 40
Motor Vehicle Speed (mph)
Source:
Traffic Safety Facts: Pedes-
trians, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration,
National Center for Statistics
and Analysis, Washington,
D.C., 2006 .
Source:
Killing Speed and Saving
Lives, U nited Ki ngdom
D epart ment o f Transporta -
t ion, London, 1987.
32 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Meeting the needs of more
vulnerable people, such as
children and pedestrians with
disabilities , can make the
walking environment safer
for everyone .
For More Information :
The Building Support sect ion
in Chapter 2 provides more
detailed information on suc-
cessfully influencing decisions
to make roadways safer for
pedestrians .
Do different people have different safety needs?
Yes, pedestrians have vario u s levels of physical and mental abi lities that
affect their ability to walk sa fely in certain co nditions. For example:
• Children may h ave more difficulty seeing (and being seen by)
drivers of all ty p es of ve hicle s, and oft en have t rouble d ecid-
ing when and where it is sa fe to cross the street. They also h ave
trouble with peripheral vis ion and gaugi ng sp ee d .
• Older pedestrians may h ave reduced motor skills that limit their
abi lity to wa lk at cer t ain spee d s or turn their heads, so they may
need more time to cross a stree t . They also may h ave trouble get-
ting oriented and understanding traffic sig n s, so they may need
more information on h ow to get around sa fel y.
Recent immigrants (often with little understanding of English,
traffic laws, or roadway culture) may not underst and the traf-
fic and p ede strian sig nals that indicate when to walk or have the
experience as to how t o sa fely interac t w ith drivers.
• People with disabilities (e.g., people u si ng wheelchairs, crutches,
canes, or those with vis u al or mental impairments) may b e more
affec ted by surface irregularities in the pavement, changes in slope
or elevation/grade, and width r estrictio n s .
How can I influence decisions to make the roadways in my
community safer for pedestrians?
You can influence your transportation providers and decision-mak-
ers by advocating for change. Advocating for change is no small t ask
for one p erson t o do alone; yo u will be more su ccessful if yo u work
with others and have a strong network of support. Advocates promote
bicycling a nd walking in a wide variety of ways, includ ing:
• Influencing policy-Speaking and working with local elected
official s and transportation agencies ca n help you to inform others
of policy ne ed s and work to ch ange or develop new policies.
• Reviewing plans -This take s some expertise. If no one in your orga-
nization is qualified, seek the help of a professional engineer, transpor-
tation planner, or local pedestrian advisory bo ard (PAB) member.
• Holding events-Events (such as co mmunity walks or bike rides,
neighborhood walk audits, health d ays or fairs) bring attention to
bicycling and walking. In many cases, the event also raises funds
that can be u se d for advocacy effor t s or educat ion campaig n s. You
ca n partner with n ational organizations or create your own event .
Chapter 4: I need more information! 33
• Educating others-You can u se campaigns and work with the
media to convey pedestrian-related messages and information.
This can be done to target a specific group or people (such as local
elected leaders) or a broad audience (such as all driver s and pedes-
trians in a community). See the sec tion on Education and Public
Awareness in Chapter 3 for more details.
• Identifying problems and weaknesses-Document issues in
the pedestrian transportation environment and the de velo pment
process. Se e the sec tion on Identifying Problems in Chapter 2 for
more information .
Who is my state highway traffic safety representative and
what do they do?
The Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is an associa-
tion of state-level highway traffic safety representatives that work
to change the behavior of drivers and other road users (including
pedestrians and bicyclists) to reduce motor vehicle-related deaths
and injuries. You can find your state highway safe ty office online at
http://www.nagh sr.org /html/links/highwaysafe tyweb si te s.html or
call the GHSA at 202-789-0942.
Who is my state bicycle and pedestrian coordinator and what
do they do?
Your state bicycle and pedestrian coordinator is a good perso n to con-
tact for local information about pedestrian safety statistic s and ongoing
state and local pedestrian programs (or links to others with this infor-
mation). Your representative should be able to answer que stions related
to pedestrian issues and direct you to appropriate contacts in your state
or community. Find your state pedestrian and bicycle coordinator by
visiting the American Association of State Highway and Transporta-
tion Officials (AASHTO) Web site (http://cms.transportation.org/
?siteid=59&pageid=852) or by calling the Pede strian and Bicycle Infor-
mation Center assistance line at 877-925-5245. Some cities and counties
al so have a local pedestrian and bicycle coordinator. Find out by contacting
your local dep artment of transportation (DOT) or public works.
For More Information :
For other frequently asked questions, visit the Iowa State University
Center fo r Transportation Research and Education Web site at
http ://www.ctre.iastate .edu/pubs /tsinfo/i ndex .htm (or call 515-294-
8103). The Center has a Traffic and Safety Informational Series that
provides clear, concise, and consistent answers to 25 common traf-
fic and safety quest io ns.
Residents can influence road-
way d ec isi o ns by working w ith
loca l agencies to review p lans,
identif y concerns, and ed ucate
others on pedest r ian needs .
34 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
LINKS AND REFERENCES
National pedestrian and bicycle clearinghouses
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (init iated and funded
by the U.S. D epartment of Transportation's Federal Highway Admin-
istration) hosts several Web sites (http://www.pedbikeinfo.org,
http://www.walkinginfo.org, http://www.bicyclinginfo.org, and
http://www.pedbikeimages.org) that contain comprehensive informa-
tion on wa lking and bicycling issues, and reso urces for community
members and professionals to i_mprove conditions for walking and biking.
http://www.pedbikeinfo .org or 877-925-5245
Active Living by Design (ALBD)
The Robert Wood J ohnson Foundation's Active Living by Design
(ALBD) program has become a model for es t ab lishing community
partnerships for active living. The ALBD Resource Center
(http://www. activelivingresources .org/index . php) provides technical
assistance to create active communities .
http://www.activelivingbydesign .org/index. php ?id= 4
or 919-843-ALBD (2523)
National Center for Bicycling and Walking (NCBW)
The Nati onal Center for Bicycling and Walking provides bicycle
and pedest rian advocates and professiona l s, transportation engi-
neers and planners, public health specialists, and others with easy
access to the information, training, tools, and experts they need to
foste r ac tive living through community design.
http://www.bikewalk.org or 30 1-656-4220
National Center for Safe Routes to School (NCSRTS)
The National Center for Safe R out es to School aims t o assist com-
munities in developing successfu l Safe R outes programs and strate-
gies . The Center offers information on how to st art and sus tain a Safe
Route s to School program, case studies of successfu l programs, as well
as many other reso urces .
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org or 866-610-S RTS
Chapter 4: I need more information! 35
National transportation agencies
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Pedestrian and
Bicycle Program
The Federal Highway Administration is charged with administering
federal funds for transportation improvements, and providing tech-
nical assistance to localitie s implementing pedestrian and bicycle
projects and programs. Three Offices in FHWA address pedestrian
and bicyclist safety. The Office of Safety and the Office of Safety
Research work together to develop tools and technologies to reduce
the number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed and injured on our
nation's roadways. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Program of FHWA's
Office of Human a nd Natural Environment promotes bicycle and
pedestrian transportation accessibility, use, and sa fety. The FHWA
Pedestrian and Bicycle Program issue s guidance and is responsible
for overseeing that requirements in legislation are understood and
met by the states and other implementing agencies .
http://sa fety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/ped/index .htm
or 202-366-4077
http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pedbike/index.htm
or 202-493-3319
http://www.fhwa .dot.gov/environment/bikeped /
or 202-366-8044
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's mission is to
save live s, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road
traffic cras hes through education, research, safety standards, and
enforcement activity. The agency collects and publishes state and na-
tional crash data, including data on pedestrian and bicycle crash es.
NHTSA administers funding to support programs developed and
implemented by state traffic safety offices. They also distribute to the
general public free educational information and publications focused
on many areas of traffic safety, including bicycling, walking, and
driving. NHTSA usually communicates through the traffic safety
offices rather than directly with neighborhood re sidents.
http://www.nhtsa .d ot.gov or 888-327-4236
36 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
National coalitions and alliances
America Walks
America Walks is a national coalition of local advocacy groups dedi-
cated to promoting walkable communities and helping communities
form advocacy groups. America Walks provides a support network for
local pedestrian advocacy groups. The group offers advice about how
to get started and how to be effective with public officials and engi-
neering and design professionals .
http://www.americawalks.org or 617-367-1170
Thunderh ead A lliance
Thunderhead Alliance is a national coalition of state and local bi-
cycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations . The group's mission is
to create, strengthen and unite state and local bicycle and pedestrian
advocacy organizations.
http://www.thunderheadalliance.org or 928-541-9841
S afe C ommunities
Safe Communities, a project of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, is a national organization dedicated to creating local
community coalitions to prevent motor vehicle injuries, the leading
cause of death for each age group from five through 27. As Safe Com-
munities emphasizes, expanded partnerships with representatives of
the business community, health community, and government agencies
are an important step in creating community involvement to seek so-
lutions. To find out if there is a Safe Communities Coalition in your
community, contact your State Office of Traffic Safety.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/
menuitem .404f848a3e46fc67ba8e5f8dcba046a0
or 888-327-4236
Safe Kid s
By working at a national level through grassroots community coali-
tions, Safe Kids, a campaign that aims to prevent the number one
killer of children-unintentional injury-educates adults and chil-
dren alike, provides safety devices to families in need, works to pass
and strengthen laws to empower families and communities, and to
protect children ages 14 and under.
http://www.usa .safekids .org or 202-662-0600
Chapter 4: I need more information! 37
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 ®
A nonprofit organization founded in the summer of 1998 , the Keep
Kid s Alive Drive 25 ® is a safe ty campaign targe ting observance of
the residential speed limit. In most towns and cities throughout the
US, the residential speed limit is 25 mph. Thus the slogan, Keep
Kids Alive Drive 25 ®. The campaign goal is t o unite neighborhoods
and communities throughout the US with a cons istent message
about sa fe driving.
http://www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org or 402-334-1391
Partnership for a Walkable America (PWA)
The goals of the Partnership for a Walkable America are to improve
the conditions for walking in America and to increase the number of
Americans who walk regularly. Members include national gove rn-
mental agencies and nonprofit organizations concerned about three
main areas: health, safety, and the environment.
http://www.walkableamerica.org or 877-925-5245
Other safety organizations
National Safety Council (NSC)
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, in-
t ernational public service organization dedicated to protecting life
and promoting health. NSC is a membership organization; members
include more than 48,000 businesses , labor organizations, sc hools,
public agencies, private groups, and individuals.
http://www.nsc .org or 630-285-1121
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
This nonprofit association represents the highway safety offices of states
and territorie s. These offices work to change the behavior of drivers and
other road users in order to reduce motor vehicle-related deaths and
injurie s, including those related to pedestrians and bicyclist s. GHSA
provide s a collective voice for the states in working with Congress and
federal age ncie s to address the nation's highway safety challenges.
http://www.gh sa .org or 202-789-0942
38 A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Pedestrian-related documents and research
Citizen's Quick Reference Guide to Transportation Decision-Making
This guide provides information on how transportation decisions are
made at the local, state, and national levels.
http://www.fbwa.dot.gov/planning/citizen/
FHWA Hispanic Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
This Web site includes links to research, materials to convey safety
messages to Hispanics, and a marketing plan for communicating is-
sues related to Hispanic pedestrian safety.
http://safety.fbwa.dot.gov/PED _BIKE/ped_bike _hsp.htm
PEDSAFE: Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure
Selection System
PEDSAFE provides practitioners with a list of possible engineering,
education, or enforcement treatments to improve pedestrian safety
and/or mobility based on user input about a specific location.
http://www.walkinginfo.org/pedsafe/
BIKESAFE: Bicycle Countermeasure Selection System
BIKESAFE is intended to provide practitioners with the latest
information available for improving the safe t y and mobility of those
who bicycle.
http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/bikesafe/
How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
This is a comprehensive guide to provide a framework for stat e and lo-
cal agencies to develop and implement a pedestrian safety action plan
tailored to their specific problems and needs.
http://www.walkinginfo.org/library/details.cfm?id=229
This sec tion includes more detailed fact sheets , specific ways to take action , and sample
materials that can be used to generate ideas and improve the walkab ility of your community .
RESOURCE MATERIALS TABLE OF CONTENTS
Resource Sheet 1: Pedestrian Safety Improvement Activities ... . ................................................................................................ 41
Resource Sheet 2: Ten Reasons to Support Walking .......................................................................................................................................... 43
Resource Sheet 3 : Identifying Pedestrian Safety Concerns Using a Walkability Audit ................................................. 45
Resource Sheet 4: Local Sources of Information and Materials ........................................................................................................... 47
Resource Sheet 5: Anticipating Concerns ....................................................................................................................................................................... 49
Resou rce Sheet 6: Ten Things Your Pedestrian Group Can Do .............................................................................................................. 51
Resource Sheet 7: Engineering Solutions to Improve Pedestrian Safety ................................................................................... 53
Resource Sheet 8: Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Drivers ................................................................................................................. 63
Resource Sheet 9: Strategies for Pedestrian Safety Education and Public Awareness ................................................... 65
Resource Sheet 10: Enforcement Contact Worksheet .................................. ...... ...... ... ... .. ..... .. ... .. . . . ....................... 67
Resource Sheet 11: Sample "Warning" Letter to Drivers ... . ............................................................ 69
39
RESOURCE SHEET 1:
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES
This checklist shows the proce sses and activities that can b e followed to improve pedestrian safe ty in yo ur
community. Use this checklist to g uide you through your role as an active participant in efforts to improve
pedestrian sa fety.
Identify problems with walking conditions in your neighborhood
D D ocument common problems with photos, video, or written descriptions.
Communicate pedestrian safety problems to other residents and identify shared interests
D Speak one-on-one with the people in yo ur n eighborhood t o identify shared intere st s and address pedes-
trian sa fety concerns.
D Collaborate with other established community gro up s.
Identify organizations responsible for making improvements
D Determine the age ncy/orga nization(s) mo st responsible for making improvements to ad dres s specific
problems in your community.
D Identify staff contacts for pedestrian sa fety issues at these orga nizations.
D Anticipate agency co nc erns and prepare re sponses.
Contact agency representatives and present your case
D Contact the agency to express yo ur concerns, provide evide nce, and discuss h ow problems could b e ad-
dre sse d.
D Follow up at a later date and record your progress.
Build support for change
D Join or speak with yo ur lo ca l pedestrian advisory board (PAB).
D Join or form a pedestrian coalition.
D Contact local elected leaders.
Consider various engineering solutions
D Learn about engineering treatments and prepare que stions related to problems in yo ur community.
D Talk with transportation st aff ab out po ss ible measures to improve pedestrian safe ty.
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 41
Educate yourself and your community
D Participat e in a pedestrian safety campaign.
D Distribut e fliers with pedest rian safe t y tips to community residents .
D Develop educa t ion programs within your schools, parks and recreation programs, after-school programs,
and churches .
D Get involve d in Safe Ro utes to Schools program activities.
Consider enforcement opportunities
D Understand your state laws that apply to pedestrian safety; creat e a summary an d distribute it to commu-
nity memb ers.
0 Cont act your local law enforcement agencies, public health/inj ury prevention professionals, or traffic
safety organ izations to fi nd out what is being done and what co uld be done in t erms of enforcement.
0 Start or part icipate in a community-based enforcement program.
Encourage more walking
D Start or part icipate in a Walk to Work or "Car Free" day or week event.
D Organize walking groups in your community.
D Walk whenever you can: to work, to run errands, to go to the p ark or to transit.
42 Resource Sheet l: Pedestrian Safety Improvement Activities
RESOURCE SHEET 2:
TEN REASONS TO SUPPORT WALKING
Why is it important to accommodate pedestrians and encourage walking in the community?
1. We're all pedestrians -Whether for recreation or practical purposes, most people make several trips
a day on foot, even if it's only a block or so from a parked car to the entrance of a building.
2. It will make the road safer-Making streets safer for pedestrians, the most vulnerable road user,
usually makes the roads safer for everyone, including bicyclists and drivers.
3. Many cannot or choose not to drive -Non-drivers include people who choose not to drive; children;
adolesce nts; people with physical, vis u al, and mental disabilities; people with financial co n straints;
people who are temporarily disa bled; and many older adults.
4. It's cheaper to walk -There are many cos t s associated with driving (e .g., cost of vehicle, gas, insur-
ance, annu al inspection and registration, maintenance, parking fees, traffic violation fees, etc.), but
virtually none with walking. Additionally, walking can save money by improving health and reducing
health care costs .
5. It's good for business-Providing pedestrian access to retailers and commercial centers provides
economic b enefi t s and can promote tourism and further eco nomic development.
6. Other modes depend on walking-To get from places to their cars, bicycles, buses, or trains, people
need t o be able to walk.
7. Walking is good for the environment-Unlike driving, wa lking does not contribute t o air, noise, or
water pollution.
8. Walking can reduce the demand for existing and new roadways-Many stree t s carry more traffic
than they were designed to handle, resulting in gridlock, wasted time and energy, and pollution.
Providing opportunities t o walk can h elp get more people out of frustrating traffic congestion.
9. Walking can improve people's health -R egular wa lking can aid in we ight loss; lower blood pres-
sure; improve choles t erol, blood sugar, immune sys t em func tion, and insulin dynamics; prevent bone-
loss; reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases; and improve mood
and mental performance.
10. Walking improves the quality of our live s-Walking provides intangible personal benefits (such as
a sense of independence and freedom of choice), as we ll as soc ial b enefi t s (such as opportunities to in-
t eract with others and build community clo seness and trust) that enrich the lives of children, families,
and neighbors.
Source: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, http://www.walkinginfo.org.
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 43
RESOURCE SHEET 3:
IDENTIFYING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY CONCERNS USING A
WALKABILITY AUDIT
A walkability audit is an evaluation of the walking environment, used to identify concerns for pedestrians
related to safety, access, comfort, and convenience.
Informal audits can be performed by any individual or community group. More formal audits (i.e., those that
follow a standardized set of audit procedures) can also be conducted; these are usually performed by a multi-
disciplinary team of trained professionals, including engineers, planners, transportation researchers, pedes-
trian and bicycle specialists, and others.
The audit tools listed below can help you identify and document concerns, and better advocate for change in
your neighborhood .
EXAMPLE COMMUNITY AUDITS:
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) Walkability Checklist
• Evaluate a neighborhood's walkability and identify both immediate answers and long-term solutions to a
neighborhood's problems.
• http://www.walkinginfo .org/pdf/walkingchecklist. pdf
Active Community Environments (ACES) Community Assessment
• Assess the health of a community and identify ways to increase opportunities for physical activity in the
community.
• http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/programs_tools/community/aces.html
Active Independent Aging Walkability Checklist
• Determine the "walkability" of an area for older pedestrians.
• http://www.falls-chutes .com/gu ide/english/resources/handouts/pdf/WalkabilityChecklist.pdf
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Pedestrian Road Safety Audit Guidelines and Prompt Lists
• Evaluate the safety of various aspects of the walking environment.
• http://www.walkinginfo.org/library/details.cfm?id=3955
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 45
Keystone Healthy Routes Neighborhood Assessment
• Assess the safety and walkability of neighborhoods-urban, suburb an, or rural -and other locations
within a community.
• http://panaonline .org/programs/khz/actionkits/hrak/phase3/
A Checklist for Accessible Sidewalks and Street Crossings
• Highlight Americans with Disa bilities Act (ADA) provisions for new construction .
• http://www.access-board .gov/prowac/guide/PROWGuide.htm#apndxchklst
EXAMPLE SCHOOL AUDITS:
Florida School Site Assessment for Traffic Safety
• Examine the safe t y of biking and walking conditions at sc hools .
• http://www.dcp.ufl.edu/center s/trafficsafetye d /html_safe-ways.html
California Walk to School Day Walkability Checklist
• Identify barrier s to walking t o school and observe behav iors .
• http://www.cawalktoschool.com
Maryland Safe Routes to School Audit
• P erform a bro ad assessme nt of infras tructure, operations, and attitudes.
• http://drusilla .h src.unc.e du/cms/downloads/S R2S _ Guideb ook _l. pdf
EXAMPLE BUS STOP AUDITS:
Easter Seals Project ACTION Bus Stop Checklist
• Evaluate pedestrian access features and connections, assess p asse nger comfort amen ities, evaluate safe t y
and sec urity features, and document information features.
• http://projectaction.eas t erseals.com/sit e/PageSer ver?pagename=ESPA_BusS topToolkit
Arlington Bus Stop Assessment
• D escrib e location, surroundings, landing area, co nnec tions, amenities, seating, safe ty, and information
provided at bu s st ops .
• http://www.nctr.u sf.e du /pdf/473 -13 .pdf
46 Resource Sheet 3: Iden tifying Pedestrian Safety Concerns Using a Walkability Audit
RESOURCE SHEET 4:
LOCAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND MATERIALS
Use this sheet to organize contact information for people and agencies in your community who are involved
in pedestrian issues.
Local or state pedestrian and bicycle coordinator
Name/Contact info __________________________ _
Resource s
Local or state safe routes to school coordinator
Name/Contact info __________________________ _
Resource s ______________________________ _
Local or regional pedestrian advocacy group
Name/Contact info ---------------------------
Resource s ------------------------------
Local or state safety organization (e.g., Safe Kids , Safe Communities , etc.)
Name/Contact info ---------------------------
Resource s ------------------------------
Local or state patrol/police department
Name/Contact info ---------------------------
Resource s ------------------------------
Local or state health department
Name/Contact info ---------------------------
Resource s -------------------------------
Public works or engineering department
Name/Contact info ---------------------------
Resource s ------------------------------
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 47
State department of transportation (DOT)
Regional National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA} office
Local or state American Automobile Association (AAA}
Others
Adapted from Stree ts For People, Too !, Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Cente r, Seattle, Washingto n.
48 Resource Sheet 4: Local Sources of Information and Materials
RESOURCE SHEET 5:
ANTICIPATING CONCERNS
Your local transportation department or agency may face a variety of challenges when it comes to pedestrian
safety issues in your community. Anticipating these challenges and knowing how to respond may help you to
build a better dialog and be more successful in advocating for change.
Potential concern 1: We don 't have the money or budget to make pedestrian improvements .
One common concern of agencies is: "We don't have the money or budget to make pedestrian improve-
ments." Having an idea of how a pedestrian improvement project can be funded can help you overcome this
potential roadblock.
Generally, local governments have capital improvement plans (CIPs) that include the major roadway, side-
walk, and other infrastructure improvements the community plans to complete . Items included in the CIP
tend to be fairly expensive and/or large scale and are planned years in advance .
Smaller, less expensive construction and improvement projects may not be placed in a CIP, but could be
considered on an as-needed basis.
Listed below are common funding sources that can support pedestrian improvements:
• Federal transportation funds for surface transportation improvements.
• Federal non-transportation funds for projects such as trails or community based-projects.
• State transportation funds for pedestrian projects and programs.
• State non-transportation funds for limited pedestrian activities.
• Local funds such as local tax revenue, special bonds, or capital improvement budgets.
• Private sector funds from sources such as local nonprofit organizations, environmental land trust groups,
local bicycling and outdoor recreation stores.
• Corporate and business community funds from sources such as insurance companies, banks, and chain stores.
• Foundations.
An innovative approach to funding pedestrian safety improvements is to break a large project into small pieces
or phases that can be "purchased" by the public . Civic organizations (such as Lions Club), youth groups (such
as YMCA or Girl Scouts), health and safety organizations, or even church groups might be willing to partner
with you to help raise community funds . Also, contact your local chamber of commerce to identify ways in
which the corporate and business community might be able to participate in funding support. Be sure to publi-
cize the participation of any group that supports you.
Also, state offices of traffic (or highway) safety, sometimes referred to as governors' offices of traffic safety can
provide you with more information about funding opportunities for programs to improve traffic safety and
education (see the Frequently Asked Questions section in Chapter 4).
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 49
Potential concern 2: There's not a problem there.
Many agencies identify and prioritize pedestrian safety concerns (and locations where improvements will be
made) by analyzing the pedestrian-motorist collision (or crash) data. While crash es ar e one way to deter-
mine pedestrian problems, just because a co llision has not recently occurred does not mean that there is not
a problem. By providing evidence of your concern (e.g., photos, videos, witnesses) yo u will be more likely to
convince officials to i nvestigate the site and/or open up communica tion with the affected resident s. In some
cases, you may have t o recognize that there are other more pressing concerns that need to be addressed before
the age nc y ca n focus attention on your community's issue.
Potential concern 3: I'm worried about the effects of pedestrian improvements on other
transportation modes.
Sometimes, pedestrian improvements (such as changes in signal timing to allow more time for pedestrians to
cross roads) may increase the delay experienced by other road users, such as bicyclists, transit riders, and au-
tomobile drivers. Transportation agencies w ith a focus and priority on safety will usually tolerate increases in
delay to other road users, so long as there is a clear safety benefit. But, there are many transportation agencies
that still place a higher priority on driver efficiency. Effectively communicating pedestrian issues to agencies
and agency officials r egularly may encourage a more balanced approach to transportation engineering and
planning, thus ensuring all modes, including pedestrians, are adequ ately considered in the process .
Potential concern 4: If we make this improvement here, we will have to do it everywhere.
Transportation agencies may fear making an improvement in one loc ation if they think they would then be
required to make it everywh ere, which may incur excessive costs. One way to avoid this concern is to work
with agencies to help them es t ab li sh clear guidelines that describe when an improvement is appropriate, a
method for prioritizing projects, and/or how such improvements might be funded .
50 Resource Sheet 5: Anticipating Concerns
RESOURCE SHEET 6:
TEN THINGS YOUR PEDESTRIAN GROUP CAN DO
1. Each member should commit a certain percentage of your energies to pedestrian issues. Do not be
overwhelmed. An hour a week, every week, could make a great difference, especially multiplied by
each member of your group .
2. Organize educational seminars in your neighborhood for interest groups to discuss pedestrian issues.
Ask other organizations to provide you with programs and guidance.
3. Let your local planning and engineering staff and elected officials know that your organization exists
and get on their mailing list for transportation-related matters, including meeting announcements and
agendas .
4. Write letters to city, county, state and federal officials about your pedestrian concerns and offer sug-
gestions for ways to address them. Or try writing to the editor of your local newspaper.
5. Write to a television or radio station and request programs about pedestrian issues . Prepare a two-min-
ute statement about being a pedestrian and call it in to a local radio or television talk show.
6 . Arrange or attend demonstrations for pedestrian rights. Get a large group of people together to walk,
carry signs, or distribute materials with pedestrian slogans and information. At least a week before
you demonstrate, send a press release to the local media describing the event. Invite television news
teams to join you.
7. Attend government hearings to express opinions about pedest rian issues and legis lation.
8. Become campaign workers for a ballot measure or bill that affects pedestrians. Campaign for a politi-
cian who actively supports pedestrian goals.
9. Ask members to become experts on one aspect of being a pedestrian and become a resource for others .
Offer your members as speakers to groups .
10 . Walk whenever you can and get others to walk with you.
Adapted from an article by Na ncy Christie, Board Me mbe r, Willamette Pedestrian Coalition, published in Walk
Tall: A Citizen 's Gu ide to Walkable Communities, Rodale Press, Pedestrian Federation of America, 1995.
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 51
RESOURCE SHEET 7:
ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following provide s a sample of engineering so lutions that can b e used to improve conditions for pedest ri -
ans walking along the street and for pedestrians crossi n g the street.
SIDEWALK: A PAVED WALKWAY THAT ALLOWS PEDESTRIANS TO WALK ALONG THE ROAD-
WAY WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM TRAFFIC.
Purpose/Benefits
• Provide s safe places to walk, run, skate, and play.
Agency Considerations
• May be difficult or expensive to provide sidewalks b ecause of
topography, structures, limited right-of-way, etc.
• Some community groups may oppose the construction of si dewalks.
Common Resident Questions and Answers
~ Will sidewalks increase crime?
Sidewalk
A : More pedestrian activity u sually redu ces street crime by providing more "eyes on the street."
~ Will sidewalks decrease property values?
A: "Walkable" neighborh oods often have higher property values because h omes in locations where resi-
dents can safely walk to sc hools and other nearby de stinations are de si rable.
~ Do we have to cut down trees to create space for sidewalks?
A: Sidewalks can often be co n structed without damaging tree s by building around significant tree s or
narrowing/removing traffic lane s to provide space for sidewalks.
BUFFER OR PLANTING STRIP: A ZONE SEPARATING PEDESTRIANS ON SIDEWALKS FROM
MOVING VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.
Purpose/Benefits
• Makes walking along the roadway more comfortable .
• Provi d es space for utilities, tree s, grass, benche s, piled snow, or leaves.
• Bike lanes and on-street parking may also ac t as buffers.
Buffer
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 53
Agency Considerations
• May be difficult or expensive to provide buffer space because of topography, limited right-of-way space,
the need to move existing curbs, etc.
• Maintenance for la ndscaped buffers may be costly.
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q:, W ill a dding buffe r s p ace mean t h e sidewalk w ill b e located closer t o house s or b usinesses?
A: Buffer space can be added by removing or narrowing roadway travel lanes in established neighbor-
hoods, or by moving the sidewalk further from the roadway.
MARKED CROSSWALK: AREAS ON THE STREET (DELINEATED BY PAINT, BRICK, ETC.)
INDICATING TO PEDESTRIANS WHERE THEY SHOULD CROSS THE ROAD.
Purpose/Benefits
• Warns motorists of the potential presence of pedestrians or/ bicyclists.
Agency Considerations
• High-visibility pavement markings may help drivers anticipate pedes-
trians better than textured pavement, but they can be used togeth er.
• Marking a crosswalk alone may not create a safer crossing for pedestrians
due to motor vehicle speeds, visibility, or number of travel lanes.
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q:, W ill a dding a m a rked crosswalk to a n inter section make it safer?
Wide marked crosswalk
A: A marked crosswalk does not ensure a safe crossing. Signs, signals, lighting improvements, or
traffic calming devices may also be needed, in combination with marked crosswalks, to improve
pedestrian safety.
CURB RAMP OR CURB CUT: A RAMP PROVIDING A SMOOTH TRANSITION BETWEEN
SIDEWALK AND STREET.
Purpose/Benefits
• Makes facilities more accessible to all pedestrians, including people
using wheelchairs or other assistive devices, strollers, or bicycles.
Agency Considerations
• Agencies may want to fo llow a transition plan to bring facilities up to
current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Curb ramp s
54 Resource Sheet 7: Engineering Solutions to Improve Pedestrian Safety
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q. I see many types of curb ramps in my neighborhood. What type is the most effective?
A: The ADA Accessibility Guidelines describe required design elements for curb ramps such as landing
space, specific width and slope, and t ac tile warning strips (bumps). Consult your local transportation
or public works department for more information .
Q. Where are curb ramps required?
A: Curb ramps are required wherever there is a pedestrian crossing.
RAISED MEDIANS AND CROSSING ISLANDS : THESE PROVIDE PEDESTRIANS WITH A SAFE
PLACE TO WAIT WHILE CROSSING A STREET.
Purpose/Benefits ' ' I ,.. i !!: ,-~
'--_ _i1 L -.d.l • Simplifies street crossings by allowing pedestrians to cross one direc-
tion of traffic at a time.
Agency Considerations
• May be difficult or expensive due to construction costs, limited right-
of-way, etc . '·. \
' ' Raised median
• Landscaped medians may limit the ability of drivers to see pedestrians tryi ng to cross.
• Maintenance concerns, especially in areas with snowfall.
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q. Do raised medians make it more difficult for cars to use driveways or access buildings?
A: A raised median will not affect right turns in and out of driveways or side stree t s . Left turns would
be redirected to a major crossing, which reduces potential conflicts and increases safety for drivers
and pedestrians.
Q. What would warn motorists of a person wanting to cross?
A: Signs, pavement markings, and sometime s flashing beacons alert motorists of a pedestrian waiting to cross.
CURB EXTENSION: AN EXTENSION OF THE SIDEWALK INTO THE STREET THAT REDUCES
THE DISTANCE PEDESTRIANS MUST CROSS .
Purpose/Benefits
• Improves ability of pedestrians and motorists to see each other.
• Helps slow turning vehicles at intersection corners.
Curb extension
A Resident 's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities 55
Agency Considerations
• May reduce bike lane width .
• Can be designed with mountable curbs for emergency vehicle access.
• Appropriate for intersections or midblock crossings.
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q: Won't curb extensions eliminate on-street parking?
A: Curb extensions do not typically affect on-street parking, as parking is not permitted at corners.
Q: Why aren't these installed at every crossing?
A: Curb extensions are most effective on streets with on-street parking. They are not an alternative for
streets with high-speed traffic or without on-street parking b ecause drivers would not expect sudden
changes in the roadway width.
TRAFFIC SIGN: AN OFFICIAL DEVICE THAT GIVES A SPECIFIC MESSAGE, EITHER BY
WORDS OR SYMBOLS, TO THE PUBLIC. EXAMPLES ARE "STOP," "YIELD ," ETC .
Purpose/Benefits
The two types of signs affecting pedestrian safety are:
• Regulatory signs: direct motor vehicles and pedestrians; are typically
white. Examples include : stop, no turn on red, etc.
• Warning signs: warn drivers to yield for pedestrians; are typically
fluorescent yellow. Includes devices such as pedestrian warning signs,
yield here to pedestrian signs, in-street pedestrian crossing signs,
school advance warning signs, etc.
Agency Considerations
• Local laws and ordinances must be followed.
• Right-turn-on-red restric tions can help pedestrians avoid conflicts
with turning vehicles. Agencies must consider the impacts on
ve hicular t raffic.
• An engineering study must often be conducted before installing
signs. Posting too many signs can sometimes desensitize motorists to
the signs.
Regulatory sign
Warning sign
In-street pede strian cross in g sign
56 Resource Sheet 7: Engineering Solutions to Improve Pedestrian Safety
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q. M otorist s don't obey signs in m y neighbor hood. How a r e placing these sign s goi n g to help?
A: In some cases, simply installing a sign is not enough to change driver behavior or improve pedestrian
safety. Signs shou ld be used in conjunction with enforcement and other improvements that physically
change the roadway environment.
Q. I don't se e wh y a sign in m y neighborhood is n eed e d . W hat should I do?
A : Talk t o your local transportation agency or department of public works to find out if the sign is
needed. Sometimes a sign may no t have been moved as conditions change. Typical examples of
this are school warning signs and b u s stop warning signs. School zones and school bus stops are
determined by the school district and may change withou t immediate knowledge of the local
transport ation agency.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL: A VISUAL SIGNAL TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. PEDESTRIAN
SIGNALS LET PEDESTRIANS KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE PRIORITY AND WARN DRIVERS TO
STOP/YIELD FOR PEDESTRIANS.
Purpose/Benefits
• Includes devices such as traffic signals, pedestrian signals, and co u nt-
down signals.
Agency Considerations
• Effect on traffic operat ions of changing signal timing.
• Amount of t ime pedestrians need to cross the street (and what types of
pedestrians are crossing, such as children or older pedestrians).
• Necessity of push buttons and accessible location .
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q. How can a traffic signal improv e pedestria n s afety?
Pedestrian countdown signal
A : Having more time to cross a street, giving pedestrians a head -start, or timing a signal so vehicles
cannot turn while pedestrians are crossing the road can all improve pedestrian safety. Consult you
local transportation or public works department t o see if improvements at part icular intersections
are possible .
Q. W h y do I h ave to press the push button: w on't I get a walk signa l a nyway?
A : On some street s pedestrians may have to push the button to get a signal that gives them enough time
to cross t h e street. Talk with your traffic engineer about the pros and cons of having a push button to
activate t h e signal versus automatically including t h e walk signal.
A Resident 's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities 57
TRAFFIC CALMING: PHYSICAL CHANGES TO A STREET TO ENCOURAGE DRIVERS TO DRIVE
SLOWLY OR TO DISCOURAGE CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC .
Purpose/Benefits
• Improves safety for pedestrians as well as drivers.
Agency Considerations
• Street type-usually applied only to minor streets.
• Potential effect on nearby streets-installing traffic-calming on one
street may divert more traffic to other residential streets.
• Some traffic-calming devices may limit emergency vehicle access .
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q W h y c a n't we j u st i n st a ll stop sign s a t every i nter se ction to slow
t raffi c?
A: Residents often believe that stop signs are the best way to reduce
traffic speeds. Using too many stop signs can breed disrespect for
signs among drivers and lead to increased running of stop signs
and higher speeds between stops. Certain conditions must be
met before stop signs should be added as an effective solution for
controlling traffic . For a summary of traffic studies conducted on
this topic vi sit:
http://www.ci.troy.mi .us/TrafficEngineering/Multiway.ht m.
Q W on't inst alli ng speed humps slow dow n t raffi c?
A: You may fir st think of a speed hump when thinking about slow-
ing down traffic . Consideration must, however, be given to the
impact on:
• Noise level
• Emergency vehicle, school bus, and transit service access
• Bicycle access
Chicane
Speed hump
Traffic circle
Raised crosswa lk
58 Resource Sheet 7: Engineering Solutions to Improve Pedestrian Safety
ROAD DIET: NARROWING OR ELIMINATING TRAVE L LANES ON A ROADWAY TO MAKE
MORE ROOM FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS .
Purpose/Benefits
• Reduces motor vehicle speed.
• Provides more space for pedestrian and bic ycle facilities.
Agency Considerations
• The road mu st adequately accommodate traffic fl.ow.
• E x tra lanes can be converted to bike lanes, on-street parking, a raised
median, or buffers.
• A road diet may divert traffic to a nearby street or neighborhood.
Common Resident Questions and Answers
Q W on't this cause more t r affic congest ion?
A : A road diet can't be applied to every street. Road diets are most
effective where streets have been "overbuilt" to me et ex isting
traffic volume. When app lied appropriately, traffic will remain
relatively unchanged .
Street before road diet
Street after road diet
OVERPASSES/UNDERPASSES: A STREET CROSSING SEPARATING PEDESTRIANS FROM
MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC (I.E., BRIDGE OR TUNNEL).
Purpose/Benefits
• Provide s a safer street crossing for pedestrians and bicycli st s when an
on-street crossing is not poss ible.
Agency Considerations
• Both overpasses and underpa sses are typically very costly.
• Most effective in areas where topography enables more direct pedes-
trian paths .
Crossing level area may have right-of-way issues because of ADA
requirements for gradual ramp s .
• Must consider sec urity and lighting of se parate pedestrian route.
A Residen t's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
Pede strian overpass
Pedestrian unde rpass
59
Common Resident Questi on s and Answers
Q Why aren't overpasses or underpasses always used for dangerous street crossings?
A: Overpasses and underpasses are not the right solution for every dangerous cross i ng. Sometimes it is
better to make the pedestrian crossing safer at the roadway level. If overpasses/underpasses require
pedestrians to walk out of their way, the crossing is often not u sed. To ens ure pedestrians use an over-
pass or underp ass, it must provide an easy and direct path t o key de stinations.
Q Aren't underpasses unsafe?
A: Re sidents sometimes voice concerns about the securit y of an underpass . Design element s can be con-
si d ered to make them more secure: 1) underpasses sh ould be straight to eliminate hiding places and so
pedestrians can see the "light at the end of the tunnel"; 2) they should be as short as possible and open
so pedestrians don't feel t rapped; 3) they should be well-lit.
STREET LIGHTING: THIS ILLUMINATES THE ROADWAY AND INTERSECTIONS TO HELP
MOTORISTS SEE OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS CROSSING THE ROADWAY.
Purpose/Benefit s
• Makes stre et s more secure and inviting for pedestrians at night.
Agenc y Considera ti ons
• Challenges and co sts to install and maintain lighting. Potential right-
of-way constraints or environmental fac tors.
• Lighting should be consis t ent and free of dark spots.
Common Resident Questions and An sw ers
Q Will lighting increase pedestrian activity?
Overhead street ligh ting
A: Lighting may help pedestrians feel safer and more se cure, which may mean more people will walk.
More "eyes on the street" can help deter criminal activity.
Q Will new lighting destroy the character of our neighborh ood?
A: Some residents may be concerned about lighting and its impact on the nature of the neighborhood.
60
There are many options for lighting de sign including height, direction, and luminosity that can be
tailored to fit the co mmunity.
Resource Sheet 7: Engineering Solutions to Improve Pedestria n Safety
TEMPORARY WALKWAYS : THESE PROVIDE PEDESTRIANS WITH DESIGNATED ROUTES
ALONG A CONSTRUCTION SITE WHEN SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL
WAYS HAVE BEEN CLOSED.
Purpose/Benefits
• Provide appropriate signs and facilities (such as stable curb ramps or
sh eltered pathways) during construction to maintain pedestrian access.
Agency Considerations
• Agencies may favor a sh orter cons truction schedule over providing more
convenient p aths to minimize cos t s and impacts on the community.
• Available (or lack of) ri ght-of-way may affec t location of alternate paths .
• Paths may change frequently because of construction activities .
Common Resident Questions and Answers
A stable, temporary curb ramp
Q I have to walk through a construction zone every day and
it changes almost as frequently. How can I anticipate my
walking route? Temporary signage to direct pedestri an s
to proper crossings
A: Cons truction firms are required to submit traffic control p lans
that spe cify how they will maintain p edestrian and motor vehicle
access . These will b e on file with your local transportation agency or department of public works.
Q What do all these signs in construction zones mean?
A: Construction signs u sua lly warn motorists, bicyclists, and p edestrians of changes in the street envi-
ronment. All signs must b e prominently displayed in adva n ce of the hazard.
A Resident 's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities 61
RESOURCE SHEET 8:
SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS :
Make yourself visible to drivers
• Wear retroreflective materials and bright/light colored clothing.
Many p eo ple are unaware that they are virtually invi sible to driver s at
night. Clothing with retroreflective materials (such as vests for run-
ners/bikers) can make you visible from up to 500 feet away.
• Carry a flashlight when walking at night. Don't wear headphones.
Use extreme caution when crossing the street-assume that driver s
cannot see you.
Loo k for cars before stepping out near
par ked ve hic les.
• Stand clear of buses, hedge s, parked cars, or other obstacles so driver s can see yo u.
Avoid dangerous behaviors
• Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Be aware of the dangers of drinking and walking-walking while
impaired incre ases your chance of being struck.
• Watch for cars r eve r sing in parking lots and ne ar on-street parking
spaces.
Look before you step
• Cros s streets at m arked crosswalks or intersec tion s if po ssi ble.
• Obey traffic signals such as walk/don't walk signals .
• Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals; look left, right, behind you,
and left again before crossing a street or stepping into traffic .
• Watch for turning vehicles; make sure the driver sees you and will stop.
• Look across all lanes you must cross and make sure each lane is clear
before proceeding.
Look for cars at dr iveways and park ing lots .
Look in all directions before crossing stree ts.
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 63
SAFETY TIPS FOR DRIVERS :
Watch for pedestrians at all times
• Scan the road and the sides of the road ahead for potential pedestrians .
• Before making a turn, look in all directions for pedestrians crossing.
• Don't drive distracted or after consuming alcohol or other drugs.
• For maximum vis ibility, keep your windshield clean and headlights on.
Yield to pedestrians at crossings
• Stop or yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, whether marked or un-
marked.
• Stop or yield to pedestrians when making right or left turns at inter-
sections.
• Do not block or park in crosswalks.
Drive the speed lim it and avoid aggressive maneuvers
Never pass/overtake a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.
• Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at stop signs.
• Always be prepared to stop for pedestrians, especially in residential
areas and near schools.
Look fo r pedestrians at all times and don't
drive distracted .
I,-.-.. ---·-_ -.,,rl
.• ' . ' I ...-,... •'
I -~ ~-~ .~~:--: .
Yi eld to pedestrians at crosswalks
and intersections .
Be prepared to stop for pedest ria ns,
especially in neig hborhood s.
64 Resource Sheet 8: Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Drivers
RESOURCE SHEET 9:
STRATEGIES FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY EDUCATION AND
PUBLIC AWARENESS
There are major differences in the walking abilities, behavioral patterns, and learning capacities of differ-
ent road users. Because of this, educational measures need to be tailored to specific audiences and to the
behaviors they seek to modify. The following table provides a brief overview of audiences, key messages,
and educational strategies that many professionals and community groups use to educate the public about
pedestrian safety. Talk with your local injury prevention group, pedestrian/bicycle coordinator, public
health agency, or school administrator to see what activities are taking place in your community and how
you can be involved.
Audience Important Messages Potential Strategies
Child pedestrians Pedestrian safety skills tai-. Hold a school assembly, health fair, or have
lored to their level of devel-classroom or physical education lessons.
opment and personal safety . Get parents involved .
(e .g ., stranger danger) . Offer structured skills practice .
College age pedestrians Reasons to walk or bike, . Partner with campus offices, organizations,
tips for walking safely or student groups.
around campus and town . Take advantage of campus life and university
events to distribute information . . Give incentives .
Alcohol consumers Recognize that heavy . Initiate public awareness campaigns .
drinking increases the risk • Work with law enforcement officers, en-
of a crash, whether you are gineers, and public health professionals to
walking or driving. address alcohol-related issues.
Adult and older Threats associated with . Initiate campaigns to targeted settings/
pedestrians each age group and ways to situations.
improve personal safety and . Contact and work with established organi-
law abidance zations, such as AARP or a senior center,
which may already have a strong network
with the pedestrian community.
Drivers Safe driving practices near . Plug into local media -have driver safety
pedestrians awareness campaigns on TV and in newspa-
pers, host a commute-time radio talk series
on pedestrian safety issues, or develop an ad
campaign to be displayed on billboards, in
parking garages, or in other places most vis-
ible to drivers. . Couple education with enforcement .
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 65
RESOURCE SHEET 10:
ENFORCEMENT CONTACT WORKSHEET
Law enforcement contacts:
City Chief of Police ____________________________ _
Head of Traffic Section ----------------------------
Key P at rol Officer
When d evelop ing a relations h ip with yo ur local law enforcement agency, here are a few questions to ask:
1. Who are the contacts in the d epartment w h o are interes t ed in pedestrian safe t y or are workin g on
pedestrian issues?
2. What enforcement measures are currently in place t o protect p edestrians? What are needed?
3. I s the dep artmental budget and number of traffic patrols ad equate to allow for emphasis enforcement
of pedestrian safe t y iss u es?
Summary of key pedestrian-related laws and related penalties:
Speeding --------------------------------~
Jaywalking --------------------------------
Not yielding at crosswalks __________________________ _
Other
---------------------------------~
P olice d epartment policy and training process related t o enforcement of pedestrian laws:
Ways that pedestrian concerns cou ld be b etter addressed:
Adapted from Streets For People, Too!, Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, Washington.
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 67
RESOURCE SHEET 11:
SAMPLE "WARNING" LETTER TO DRIVERS
Dear (driver):
You have received the enclosed written materials because your vehicle was seen traveling through the
(insert name of community) neighborhood along (insert street location) on (insert date). The car was also
observed failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk [or speeding]. The purpose of this letter is to make
you aware that (insert name of community), along with several other neighborhoods, is participating in a
special program to help make streets safer for people who walk.
Ext ra traffic police have been assigned to (insert name of community) to ticket drivers who fai l to stop for
pedestrians or who speed through this community. The intent of this message is to help you avoid a hefty
(insert dollar amount) fine as well as to reduce the number of tragic pedestrian injuries and deaths that oc-
cur in (inser t name of community) each year. At best, about (insert percent of drivers who stop at cross-
walks for pedes_t rians, usually 20 percent or less) of (i n sert commu nity) drivers will stop for a pedestrian
att empting to u se a crosswalk. Please read the enclosed material s (insert information about the law) and
familiarize yo u rself with the crosswalk law and your obligation as a driver. Pass the word along to your
friends and family that (insert name of community) is not a good pl ace to pass up pedestrians trying to
cross the street. Thank you for your attention to this message and to people who are walking.
Drive safely!
(name of pedestrian safety coalition chair or law enforcement representative)
Remember ... Drivers are walkers tool
Adapted from Streets For People, Too!, Harborview Injury Prevention & Rese arch Cente r, Seattle, Washingto n.
A RESIDENT'S GUIDE FOR CREATING SAFE AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES 69