Arlington, VA Ped Road Show
Kicks-Off Campaign
The Campaign to Make America
Walkable (CMAW) took a first step toward reaching its goal of organizing pedestrians in
each of the 50 states in 1997 -- delivering a Pedestrian Safety Road Show in
Arlington, VA in March.
Dedicated pedestrians advocates and County staff came together to discuss how conditions
for pedestrians can be improved throughout the County
Charlie Gandy of the BFA facilitated the worksession and provided insights into
pedestrian safety issues and problems confronting pedestrians across the country.
Rich Viola, Arlington Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, highlighted good and bad
pedestrian environments around the County, and outlined the recently adopted Pedestrian
Transportation Plan. The plan reviews existing conditions for pedestrians in the
County, reviews crash statistics and makes recommendations for pedestrian and streetscape
improvements in the County, especially along the critical Metro Rail Corridor. Based on
current and past funding levels, the plan's recommendations could be completed within 20
years.
Participants discussed ways to speed up implementation of the plan, and increase its
effectiveness -- by increasing funding, producing maps of pedestrian facilities, and
developing education programs for both pedestrians and motorists. The group plans to
invite a range of stakeholders, such as school officials, merchants and business alliances
to the table to help implement a comprehensive and coordinated set of pedestrian
improvements.
The group agreed to send a letter to the Chairman of the County Board requesting that the
Board convene a special meeting in May bringing public officials, agencies and citizens
into the process of making Arlington an even more walkable community.
Arlington, a suburb of Washington, DC, located on the west bank of the Potomac River,
is only 24 square miles in area. With a population of more than 175,000, Arlington is one
of the smallest and most densely populated counties in the country -- with great potential
for pedestrian travel. Arlington is concerned about its pedestrians and is taking steps to
improve conditions. The Pedestrian Safety Road Show is a first step in helping to gain
greater community acceptance of the adopted pedestrian plan, and is a catalyst for getting
more groups involved in putting the plan into action.
For more information on how your community can take its next steps toward walkability,
contact the Campaign to Make America Walkable at (202) 463-6622.
-- from Pro Bike News, Volume 17, Number 4, April 1997
U.S. Department of Transportation