[ Home Page ] [ Safety Tools ] [ Pedestrian Update ] [ Roadshow Schedule ] [ Talk ] [ Links ]
|
Select
another issue:
|
Vol. 1, Summer '97
[ Partnership ] [ NEXTEA ] [ Training ] [ Completed Activities ] [ MUTCD ] [ Technology ] [ Input ]
Partnership For A Walkable America
The Partnership for a Walkable America is a coalition of private, State, and Federal organizations that have joined forces to promote the health benefits of walking, encourage walking as a transportation means, and make America safer and more accessible for pedestrians. Former Secretary of Transportation, Federico Peņa, announced the Partnership during his opening remarks at the Moving Kids Safely Conference on June 10, 1996, in Vienna, Virginia.
Partnership members have met several times -- most recently in Washington, DC, on July 1. At this meeting, Partnership members discussed plans for its roll out event, which may take place the week of September 22 in Chicago -- the Partnership's model city.
For more information, please contact Harold Thompson of the National Safety Council at 1-800-621-7615 ext. 2383.
The newest proposed transportation legislation -- The National Economic Crossroads Transportation Efficiency Act -- would build upon ISTEA's many successes as far as funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities go. NEXTEA, as proposed, would increase Transportation Enhancement funds by more than 25 percent to support bicycle facilities, pedestrian walkways, and other community oriented projects. NEXTEA also provides greater opportunites for State and local investment in these modes of transportation. In addition, funding for Scenic Byways would continue to provide funding for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways.
Question
Under what conditions may it be appropriate to increase the recommended time of 4 to 7 seconds for the WALK interval of a Pedestrian Control Signal timing?
a) large number of elderly persons crossing
b) street has 4 or more lanes with no median refuge island
c) close proximity to a school
d) all of the aboveSee answer below.
Update On Pedestrian Safety Road Show:
Facilitator Training Session A SuccessFacilitator Training sessions for the community-based safety pedestrian program, the Pedestrian Safety Road Show, were held in Region 9 (South Lake Tahoe, California) April 30 through May 2 and Region 8 (Steamboat Springs, CO) June 25-27. In attendance were FHWA representatives from the Region and Division offices and representatives from NHTSA, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, MPO's, State DOT's, and local public sector personnel.
The Road Show encourages the formation of a local group of pedestrian advocates, whether in a public agency or an organized external group, to focus on identifying and solving potential 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 the local communities. Partnerships are also being sought with private organizations to deliver this technology. To accelerate training, sessions for facilitators are being set up in Region 3 (July 21-23, New York), Region 10 (August 5-7, Washington), Region 4 (November 3-5, Florida), and in Regions 5 and 7, (locations to be determined). Contact Leverson Boodlal at 202-366-8044 for information and check out the homepage at www.ota.fhwa.dot.gov/walk/.
Our Challenge is to Create an Environment of Change in which all communities "buy into" the concept of Pedestrian safety and walkability
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. Colorado Bicycle/Pedestrian Summit, Snowmass Village, CO, August 20-23, 1997.
(Contact:CDOT, 303-757-9982).2. 1997 Pedestrian Conference "Making America Walkable," Washington, DC, September 2-6, 1997.
(Contact: Campaign to Make America Walkable, 202-463-6622, Fax: 202-463-6625).3. Moving Kids Safely Conference, Tyson's Corner, VA, November 16-19
(Contact: Kay Choppard 202-366-2723).4. International Trails and Greenways Conference, San Diego, CA,
(Contact: Andy Clarke 202-331-9696).These studies have been completed and reports are available from the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Clearinghouse, 1506 21 St., NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20036, (Phone: 1-800-760-6272).
- Older Pedestrian Characteristics for use in Highway Design, Publication No. FHWA-RD-93-177. The objective of this study was to develop design guidelines to be used by traffic planners and engineers in creating pedestrian facilities for older persons. It was determined that older pedestrians often do not have sufficient time to cross signalized intersections. Observations of older pedestrians' walking speed and start-up times suggested a number of changes that could be made to highway design and operational practices.
- Investigations of the Impacts of Medians and Refuge Islands on Road Users, Publication No. FHWA-RD-93-130. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety impact of raised curb medians, two-way left turn lane (TWLT) medians and undivided cross sections on vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
- National Bicycling and Walking Study (Final Report), Publication No. FHWA-PD-94-023.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash types of the Early 1990's, Publication No. FHWA-RD-95-163. The goal of this study was to apply accident typing methodology to a broad base sample of pedestrian and bicyclist motor vehicle crash reports. Among the major pedestrian crash types, the most common were intersection dash and mid-block dart-out.
Intersection Dash
The pedestrian was struck while running through an intersection, and/or the motorist's view of the pedestrian was blocked until an instant before impact.
Severity: 34% resulted in serious or fatal injury.Midblock Dart Out
At a midblock location, the motorist's view of the pedestrian was blocked until an instant before impact.
Severity: 32% resulted in serious or fatal injury.The FHWA is in the process of revising the 1988 Manual. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 4 (which includes pedestrian signals) was issued in the January 6 Federal Register. Comments will be taken until August or longer -- to date, none have been received. The NPRM for Part 7 (School Areas) will be issued in October. Comments can be made via our Rulemaking Home Page: www.ohs.fhwa.dot.gov/devices/mutcd.html
The following locations are looking into the use of innovative pedestrian devices; San Francisco, Talking Signs, contact -- Bond Lee at 415-554-2307; Los Angeles, Infrared and Microwave Detection, contact -- Brian Gallagher at 203-580-5398; Phoenix, Video Detection, contact -- Mike Cynecki at 602-262-7217. If you are using innovative technologies, please tell us about them.
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.
[ Home Page ] [ Safety Tools ] [ Pedestrian Update ] [ Roadshow Schedule ] [ Talk ] [ Links ]
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
