Transportation Plan - Town of Garner

FREE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
POSTER AVAILABLE FROM
FHWA. OTHER AVAILABLE
ITEMS INCLUDE
BROCHURES, PSAS, MEDIA
MATERIALS AND A
CAMPAIGN PLANNING
GUIDE.
Source:
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/local_p
rogram/pedcampaign/index.htm
• Sidewalk Spot Improvement Program ‐ This is a capital improvement
program item that targets short, missing segments of sidewalk;
pedestrian crossing aids; signage; and other low‐cost improvements
costing less than a fixed amount. Maximum return of limited dollars is
the goal of the program.
• Pedestrian Safety Education Campaign ‐ A pedestrian safety campaign can
be a branded town‐wide effort involving multiple departments (e.g. Public
Works, Planning, Police Department), civic organizations and neighborhood
groups in an awareness building effort to address local pedestrian issues.
Pedestrian safety initiatives might focus on speeding, reckless driving,
unsafe pedestrian behavior, child safety or failure to yield issues. For
instance, speeding motorists might be targeted with a “Keep Kids Alive,
Drive 25” campaign, while common but unsafe pedestrian behavior is
addressed through educational materials and handouts distributed at local
events and public venues like the library and schools. TV and radio PSAs on
pedestrian safety might be utilized to create local awareness of issues such
as school zone safety. Finally, the Town might also consider posting bicycle
and pedestrian related laws and safety information permanently on the
New Bern Town website for reference. For a list of relevant state statutes,
visit www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle.
• Safe Routes to School Program ‐ A Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is
a school‐based effort that involves young students, teachers, law
enforcement officers and parents in the development of school safety and
encouragement initiatives such as Walk to School Day, Walking
Wednesdays, pedestrian safety assemblies and bicycle rodeos. These
programs can help engage children in safe walking behaviors and encourage
more walking and healthier lifestyles. Common steps to creating a
successful program are to kick‐off with an event on International Walk‐to‐
School Day, then subsequently work with PTA members, teachers and
students to identify needs and program ideas while incorporating
encouragement measures and education into the school curriculum for
students to learn safe walking and bicycling skills and the benefits of an
active lifestyle.
Funds are available through the North Carolina Department of
Transportation for planning and infrastructure work intended to encourage
safe walking and bicycling to elementary and middle schools. Development
of a SRTS Action Plan could help with program development and in making
key physical improvements within the vicinity of local schools. SRTS
workshops are also available through NCDOT to aid in the development of
local SRTS Action Plans and are an opportunity to bring together school
administrators, faculty, staff, and representatives from related agencies
such as health departments, law enforcement, engineering, and town
planning to discuss local issues and solutions. Resources and information
are available at www.saferoutesinfo.org. NCDOT funding applications and
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