Celebrating Pedestrian Safety Month

Pedestrian Safety Month reminds us to stop, look, and listen whether in a car, on a bike, or using your own two feet. Walkers, riders, and drivers are responsible for their own safety as well as others. But before anyone hits the road, there are people like us working to develop safe and efficient community infrastructure like sidewalks, trails, roadways, and bridges. We help communities enhance safety through development like that all the time.

Scroll down for some quick tips for individuals. But first, here are a couple of great examples of projects where we’ve helped enhance pedestrian safety.

Logan Pedestrian Bridge

The City of Logan, West Virginia retained ELR to design a 30-year-old bridge replacement, updating it to the alignment of 234-feet-long and 6-feet-wide to meet accessible design standards. The bridge connects Logan High School with a nearby residential neighborhood that is separated from the school due to a predominately dry channel of the Guyandotte River. Our role included survey, design, bidding, and construction administration.

Bridgeport Route 58 Multi-Use Pedestrian Trail

The City of Bridgeport in Harrison County, West Virginia (WV) engaged E.L. Robinson to support the extension of an existing mile-long multi-use walking trail for safe pedestrian passage between and alongside two lakes. The project leveraged substantial funding received via the WV Division of Highways (WVDOH) Transportation Alternatives grant program to design and construct storm drainage elements, retaining walls, railing, fencing, curb ramp upgrades, pavement replacement and traffic signage upgrades for this nearly 2000-foot walkway/trail construction project. Our team provided the site analysis, preliminary design, detailed design, cost estimating, utilities, right of way, property ownership review needed for the plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) submission required by the WVDOH, as well as construction observation and administration for the construction phase of the project.

Pedestrian Safety Best Practices for Responsible Walkers, Drivers, and Riders

Drivers and Riders Be Aware: Look out for pedestrians, especially near schools, parks, and shopping areas.

Yield: Yield to pedestrians and give extra time to those who need it, such as older adults and people using assistive devices.

Drive Carefully: Buckle up, obey speed limits and other rules of the road, and focus on driving.

Avoid Distractions: Don't use your cell phone, eat, or talk to passengers while driving.

Slow Down: Slow down on busy streets and intersections, especially at night.

Be Extra Careful at Crosswalks: Stop before the crosswalk and be prepared to stop for pedestrians.

Walkers Use Crosswalks, Sidewalks, and Designated Paths: Walking or crossing at designated spots means you legally have the right of way but be sure to look both ways first!

Be Cautious: Don’t assume the drivers and riders see you until they show signs of acknowledgement, slowing down, and yielding.

Be Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing or carry a flashlight when walking at night.

Play Well with Others: On mixed-use trails or bridges, be sure to stay to your right (in the U.S.) so that bicyclists and joggers can pass on your left.

To learn more about our Construction Services: https://www.elrobinsonengineering.com/services/construction-services-and-alternative-delivery

There are plenty of statistics about pedestrian safety, and you can find several on this page about National Pedestrian Safety Month: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/pedestrian-safety.

Suffice to say it’s a real concern and we are proud to be part of the solution!