Pedestrian Safety Planning in America's Heartland explores how data-driven analysis can help communities identify high-risk locations, prioritize safety improvements, and develop effective pedestrian plans focused on reducing fatal and severe injury crashes.

Pedestrian fatalities have recently reached a concerning 30-year high. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a recent high-profile pedestrian fatality prompted City staff to embark upon a safety-focused update to the community’s Pedestrian Plan. Based on a 10-year analysis of crashes (including 9 fatalities and 36 severe injuries), the data showed crashes were occurring on the city’s fastest, widest, and busiest roads. Most severe injury crashes also took place on streets where pedestrian demand was high.

The previous Pedestrian Plan focused primarily on filling sidewalk gaps in neighborhoods where staff received public requests. The updated Pedestrian Plan focuses on sidewalks and other safety countermeasures (i.e., lower speed limits, visible crosswalks, and refuge islands) on the highest risk roads.

Presented by the Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals (ABPB), this webinar showcases how a data analysis team completed their work while keeping a focus on reducing fatal and severe injury crashes. City staff will also share how their updated Pedestrian Plan is being implemented.

Presenters:

• Shaun Murphy-Lopez, Principal Planner, Toole Design
• Keith Abkes, PE, Project Engineer II, City of Cedar Rapids
• Dane Atkins, Geospatial Analyst, City of Cedar Rapids
  
  

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