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Vol. 2, Fall '97

[ Partnership ]  [ MUTCD ]  [ Pedestrian Conference ]  [ Training ]  [ Completed Activities ]
[ Resources ]  [ Technology ]  [ Input ]

Partnership For A Walkable America

The roll-out event for the Partnership for a Walkable America took place on September 22 in Chicago. Chicago's Mayor Daly kicked off "Walk a Child to School Day" by joining a group of children as they journeyed to school on foot. A media event followed at Goudy Elementary School. A similar event was held in Los Angeles with Mayor Richard Riordan taking part.

The Checklist was developed for people to use as they walk with their children to school. The Checklist asks a series of questions about the walk and the pedestrian facilities encountered and lets people know how "pedestrian friendly" their communities are. It then gives suggestions on what can be done immediately to make walking safer in the short term and what can be done in the longer term. The Checklist can be found on the National Safety Council's (NSC) Homepage.

The Partnership is a coalition of private, public, State, and Federal organizations that have joined forces to encourage walking for transportation by promoting the health benefits of walking and by making America safer and more accessible for pedestrians.
(Contact H. Thompson of the NSC at 1-800-621-7615 ext. 2383)

MUTCD Update

The FHWA is in the process of revising the 1988 MUTCD. The Notification of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 4 (which includes pedestrian signals) was issued in the January 6 Federal Register. The comment period will be extended for two months. This will be the final opportunity to comment. The NPRM for Part 7 (School Areas) will be issued in November and the NPRM for Part 9 (Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities) is scheduled to be issued in March 1998. Comments can be made via our Rulemaking Home Page.

National Pedestrian Conference

The National Pedestrian Conference took place in Washington, DC. from September 2 through September 6. Over 300 professionals and advocates were in attendance to exchange ideas on managing and designing the use of public space to better serve walking. The Conference consisted of a series of concurrent workshops, mobile sessions, and interactive seminars to discuss the full gamut of issues surrounding walkable communities. The keynote speaker was Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, who expressed his support and interest in efforts to make America more "pedestrian friendly." (For proceedings call the Bicycle Federation of America at 202-463-6622)

Question: Where can I find warrants and guidelines for pedestrian facilities, such as crosswalks and sidewalks?
Answer: See section on "Useful Resources."

NHI Courses

The following are recommended to increase awareness of Pedestrian/Bicycle safety and accomodation:

1. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Accommodation Course, NHI 38061

2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning under ISTEA Course, NHI 15135

(Contact for both NHI Courses, Lynn Cadaar 703-235-0528.)

 Upcoming Conferences

1. Moving Kids Safely Conference
Tysons Corner, VA
November 16-19, 1997
(Contact: Kay Choppard 202-366-2723).

2. TRB 77th Annual Meeting
Washington, DC
January 11-15, 1998
(Contact: 202-334-2934).

3. International Trails and Greenways Conference
San Diego, CA
January 28-31, 1998
(Contact: Andy Clarke 202-797-5400).

4. ITE Annual Meeting
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
August 9-12, 1998
(Contact: 202-554-8050)

Update On Pedestrian Safety Road Show:
Facilitator Training Session A Success

Facilitator Training sessions for the community-based safety and accomodation pedestrian program, the Pedestrian Safety Road Show, were held in South Lake Tahoe, CA; Steamboat Springs, CO; Albany, NY; and Lakewood, WA. In attendance were representatives from State and local agencies, NHTSA, FHWA, and the Governor's Offices of Highway Safety. The final session for 1997 will be held in Tallahassee, FL November 12-14.

The Pedestrian Road Show encourages the formation of a local group of pedestrian advocates, local agency officials, and political decision-makings to identify and solve specific local problems that affect pedestrian safety and walkability. The Road Show also explains what tools are available to the local communities. A unique aspect of the Road Show is that it has been developed to allow the field offices to take a leadership role in delivering "pedestrian" technology to local communities by becoming a facilitator and presenting Pedestrian Road Shows in local communities. Training will be accelerated in 1998, and you are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to have someone trained or to host a session. Contact Leverson Boodlal at 202-366-8044 for information and check out the homepage at www.ota.fhwa.dot.gov/walk/.

Completed Activities

These studies are:
1. Bicycling and Pedestrian Planning Under ISTEA: A Synthesis of the State of the Practice (Publication # FHWA-PD-97-053): this report presents an overview of the state of planning for bicycling and walking in the United States in 1995. It includes a discussion of the impact of ISTEA (1991) on the development of bicycle and pedestrian plans at the State and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) levels of government. (Available from the National Bicycling and Pedestrian Clearinghouse, 1506 21st St., NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20036, Phone: 1-800-760-6272)

2. The Visibility and Comprehension of Pedestrian Traffic Signals (Publication # FHWA-RD-96-187): The objectives were to determine performance criteria for acceptable pedestrian signal visibility and to study the comprehension of innovative and standard pedestrian signals. (Available from the FHWA Report Center at 301-577-0818)

Useful Resources

Where can I find warrants and guidelines for pedestrian facilities, such as crosswalks and sidewalks? In the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD, 1988 ed.) and in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, a.k.a the Green Book (AASHTO, 1994 ed.). The MUTCD contains guidance for Crosswalks and Crosswalk Lines (Part 3B-18), Pedestrian Provisions (for traffic signals) and Pedestrian Detectors (Parts 4B-28 and 4B-29), Pedestrian Signals (Parts 4D-1 through 4D-7), and Guidelines for Traffic Controls for School Areas (Part VII). In addition, the warrants for School Crossings and Minimal Pedestrian Volume are located in Part 4C-5 and 4C-6. Pages 97-104, 349-351 and 389 to 393 of the AASHTO Green Book contains design guidelines for pedestrian overpasses, crossings, sidewalks, intersections, etc. Other related information is located throughout the AASHTO Green Book.

Technology Corner

Innovative pedestrian devices are being explored at the following locations:

If you are using innovative technologies, please tell us about them.

Tips for Low-Cost Improvements (Pedestrian Projects):

1. Combine Projects: Several small jobs of a similar nature can be combined into one larger project.

2. Combine with other similar projects: Most bid items for pedestrian projects (concrete, asphalt, curbs, etc) can be found in standard road construction; pedestrian and bicycle improvements can be added to many road projects.

3.Combine with maintenance activities: If a crew is working in an area, it may not take much more time, money and effort to make minor pedestrian improvements.

4. Bid in winter months: Most contractors are very busy during the summer, but are looking for work in the winter and may bid low to keep their crews busy.

Traffic Calming

Check our next issue for information on what it is and how it works.

We Need Your Input

WE need your input on the format and content of this newsletter and how WE can best meet your needs. Please e-mail Leverson Boodlal or Tamara Broberg, or contact us by fax (202-366-7909) with your comments, success stories, innovative traffic calming measures or any information you believe useful to share with others.

Editors:
Leverson Boodlal
(Office of Technology Applications, FHWA)

Tamara Broberg
(Office of Highway Safety, FHWA)

Address: USDOT, FHWA, HTA-30, 400 7 th St., SW, Washington, DC 20590.

Our Challenge is to Create an Environment of Change
in which all communities "buy into" the concept of
Pedestrian safety and walkability

 

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