Friday, October 21, 2011

This Week on Foot

This week the Transportation Enhancements Program Beats Back Another Assault from the Senate, but we're still in the midst of The War On Kids, the Elderly, and Other People Who Walk--and their pets, like in TEMECULA: Pedestrian, 81, and dog killed Sunday.

And it's not just in California that folks are worried: 2011 pedestrian deaths causing concern in Arizona, and Pedestrian Deaths on the Rise in Reno. It kind of makes you want to avoid the well-intentioned advice of Transportationist, who suggests you Walk don't run across crosswalks to emphasize the point that roads aren't just for vehicles.

Fortunately in Jakarta they aren't as wimpy as me, where Pedestrians fight for their right to sidewalks. And congratulations are in order for our friends in India, where Model footpaths planned on five roads thanks to their advocacy efforts.

Back here in LA, the City considers making homeowners responsible for sidewalk repairs and legally liable for mishaps, which of course outrages Daily News readers here in the Valley. Fortunately in some places they're more enthusiastic about pedestrian improvements, like in Texas where according to a Dallas council member: Time to act on Complete Streets. Similarly, San Mateo plans to make city streets safer for pedestrians, but funding questions linger.

Funding is also a question for a small city in Canada, where a Pedestrian overpass over roundabout would be pricey. At least it wouldn't be a Bridge to nowhere: Pedestrian bridge linking students to classrooms in southwest Loveland closed. Maybe a better idea is just to add a pedestrian path, like in Pennsylvania where Fahy Bridge to get pedestrian lane next to unsafe sidewalks.

Perhaps New York should try the same thing for some of its neighborhoods, as this week we learned that Midtown is NY's most dangerous for pedestrians. And you thought it was just New Yorkers' bad attitudes that were scary...

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Tell Your Story

The National Complete Streets Coalition is looking for real-life stories about the importance of complete streets in your community, and successes you've had in implementing them. In particular, they're looking for examples that demonstrate how
  • Complete Streets policies are necessary to accommodate existing users
  • Complete Streets can be achieved within existing budgets.
  • Complete Streets can lead to new transportation funding opportunities.
  • Complete Streets add lasting value.
Follow the directions here to share a few sentences, a quote or photograph about your experiences with complete streets.

Friday, October 14, 2011

This Week on Foot

It's a mixed bag in the pedestrian world this week. Pedestrian, bicyclist deaths down in Minn. but it's not so sunny in the town of Hampton Roads, Virginia, where Pedestrian deaths rise to level not seen in 4 years. And then, we're plagued by stories like this one of a Pedestrian hit, injured near hospital, driver takes off, police say in Charlotte, NC.

At least Ann Arbor officials say they're listening to concerns about pedestrian safety ordinance, and in Ithaca, NY the City to expand roadways for pedestrian commute. Closer to home, we learn of Arceo Walk, Small Investment, Big Changes in El Monte --but at the same time, there was a Pedestrian struck, killed on Santa Monica Fwy, a Pedestrian injured in suspected hit-and-run in Ventura, and the 15 year-old pedestrian, killed in Santa Barbara, has been identified.

Meanwhile, rail safety organization Operation Lifesaver Launches "Bad Move" Pedestrian Safety PSA With Online Contest. While I'm sure it's well-intentioned, I can't entirely get on board (so to speak) with a PSA that tells the tale of "a young couple who choose a dangerous place to walk," when so often the problem is that a safe route isn't a choice--I'd rather see a PSA that explains why a Pedestrian-friendly city should be priority for all.

Elsewhere in the world, Inconsistent signals puzzle pedestrians in Montreal--which is perhaps a better state of affairs than in Kingspark where a Pedestrian Crossing Sign Vanishes Days After Installed. At least they've kept their signs in Philadelphia, although it's a little half-hearted to say that Pedestrian yield signs aimed at voluntary compliance.

Next, in a stating of the obvious, Drivers and pedestrians blamed for mishaps in Fredricton, Canada. Perhaps in response to half of that problem. TRW Demonstrates Advanced Pedestrian Detection System With Automatic Emergency Braking.

Finally, we learn of A pedestrians only road for Ahmedabad, and wonder about Suburban sprawl: A Ponzi scheme? Perhaps, but as naysayers point out, Walkability is great, but having a Walmart nearby is better. Good thing there are still folks around to remind us Why walkability is important.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Sidewalk Hall of Shame

Inspired by KECT's recent request to submit photos of broken sidewalks in LA, I took a stroll around my neighborhood to "show off" some of the most absurd examples of what passes for a sidewalk in Woodland Hills--AND, since I'm a transpo geek that way, I came up with a point system to rate just how bad they are. Think of it as a sort of anti-WalkScore.
If you squint, it almost looks like modern art on Medina Rd near Baza Ave.
Disconnectivity (0-10)
One of the most critical elements of walkability, this criteria rates whether or not a sidewalk actually takes you anywhere. Like the roller skate without its mate, the lone sidewalk won't get you anywhere if it's not part of network. Sure, it's well and good to have a beautiful smooth sidewalk in front of your house, but if your neighbors aren't on board how far are you really going to be able to walk?
 A dead end at Campo Rd near Celes St.

Friday, October 7, 2011

This Week on Foot

This week has been dangerous for pedestrians and trains, as we learn of a Pedestrian Killed By Amtrak Train In North Hollywood and there were No Safe Option for Jersey Teens Killed on Railroad Tracks. On the other hand, it hasn't been so safe for pedestrians and vehicles, like the Wheelchair-bound pedestrian hit Sunday dies. And it should come as no surprise, as In Crashes, Low Driving Speed Can Cause Serious Injury and Death to Pedestrians, Report Finds.

Fortunately, this week there have also been numerous efforts to thwart pedestrian safety problems. In Nevada, there were Grants to help NLV police target pedestrian safety, and closer to home El Monte Walks Towards a Healthier Future.    Across the country, the MLK corridor to have pedestrian-friendly restrictions on buildings in Winston-Salem, and a Bagley Pedestrian Bridge in Detroit Provides Safe Access to Canada

Speaking of Canada, one Canadian mayor insists that his City must become safer for pedestrians, while in Vancouver a Messy street patterns boost city's walkability. Further abroad they're Building a Joburg for walkers

Finding safe routes is key in successful walking programs, which LA's new Model Street Manual: A Generic Road Map to Sustainable Transportation Planning will surely help do. And LA isn't the only place thinking about good road design: 'Complete Streets' might come to city of Zeeland in Michigan.

Of course, there are always other ways to deal with pedestrian-vehicle conflicts...like this Texas Pedestrian tells driver to buy him a beer, he'd forget about being hit. Proof again that they do things a little differently in Texas, I guess.

And sometimes we do things a little differently here in LA too--don't forget CiLAvia this Sunday!