Active transportation means walking, bicycle, or using devices such as scooters, segways, and even wheelchairs to go from home to work, school, groceries shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and other destinations. But for people to walk and bike safely from origin to destination, they need a safe infrastructure to do so. Providing an infrastructure of connected sidewalks, overpasses, bike paths, and trails will not only provide a safer and efficient way for people to commute, but would also create healthier communities. Having an active transportation infrastructure will enable people to improve their quality of life, but most importantly it allows transportation professionals to create positive equity outcomes for low-income communities.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IJJA) provides a funding mechanism and flexibility to the MPOs, cities, and states to create safer alternatives for all. It is up to us as transportation professionals to provide a complete network to create those safe connections to connect people to destinations. Most often, the connected network of sidewalks, bike paths, and trails are built around downtowns or wealthy communities, and not provided in low-income communities that can benefit from
active transportation. Providing a safe active transportation infrastructure also includes lighting to make it safer for evening commuters and during daylight saving times changes.
As transportation professionals, if we want to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, we need to start prioritizing where those active transportation infrastructure gaps are and build a safe and connected infrastructure that provides access to basic needs for all.
If active transportation is a subject that you are passionate about, I invite you to join the Pedestrian and Bicycle Standing Committee (PBSC) under the Complete Streets Council. The PBSC represents and promotes the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other forms of nonmotorized (human-powered) travel in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. Volunteering with the PBSC is a great way to connect with experts in the field, broaden or deepen your technical expertise, and give back to the transportation community.
The PBSC just released the Decorative Crosswalk Case Study Series Informational Report, illustrating a series of case studies that demonstrate how public agencies have successfully implemented decorative crosswalks to meet their community’s desires for enhanced urban environments without sacrificing pedestrian safety. See page 19 for an article summarizing the report. The case studies illustrate ways in which communities have worked with local agencies to add artistic features to crosswalks in a safe and effective manner and highlight the nuances involved in their planning and prioritization, installation and implementation, and maintenance and upkeep. Design considerations and policy decisions are also discussed regarding current federal guidance.
This month, I will be visiting the Texas District at their Fall Meeting in San Antonio, TX, USA. I have never been to a Texas District Meeting and look forward to visiting with their members. If you are going to be there, let me know. Please reach me by e-mail at rosana. correa@jacobs.com or on the ITE e-Community.