Pedestrian fatality rates vary by demographic: The chilling facts about pedestrian fatalities reveal that certain groups are much more likely than others to be injured or killed while walking. As reported on Streetsblog.com, a report by the Centers for Disease Control found that members of certain groups, including the elderly, minorities, and males in general, are killed by vehicles in disproportionate … Continue reading Friday Links for May 10, 2013
“Seeing Eye People” draw attention to the hazards of texting and walking
As part of a prank staged by New York City-based collective Improv Everywhere, people dressed in orange vests pretended to be city employees acting as "seeing-eye people" for texting and walking. While the concept may sound absurd, it calls attention to how hazardous texting and walking can really be for pedestrians. Make sure to stay … Continue reading “Seeing Eye People” draw attention to the hazards of texting and walking
Notes from the Greater Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Summit
On Tuesday, April 30, the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities and DVRPC held a summit on the state of walking and biking in our fair city. Here are some takeaways from Tuesday's summit that may be of interest to pedestrians. Ongoing trail network expansion Jeannette Brugger of the Planning Commission and Chris Linn of … Continue reading Notes from the Greater Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Summit
More cars, more problems: Growing cities must provide mobility alternatives
Cities are growing in population worldwide. Over half of the global population now lives in urban areas, and that figure is expected to increase to 75% by 2050. However, if current trends continue, more people will mean more cars than cities can support. The number of cars worldwide has already surpassed one billion, and it … Continue reading More cars, more problems: Growing cities must provide mobility alternatives
America’s streets are “dangerous by design;” intersection in Omaha is a prime example
Pedestrian safety is a major issue in the United States. Between 2000 and 2009, over 47,700 pedestrians were killed. Pedestrian fatalities occur at a higher rate here than in similar countries such as Canada or Australia. One of the contributing factors to the number of pedestrian fatalities is often poor street design. In 2011, Transportation … Continue reading America’s streets are “dangerous by design;” intersection in Omaha is a prime example
UPDATE: Working Together for Complete Streets in Philadelphia
City agencies such as the Planning Commission (PCPC), the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU), and other organizations like the Bicycle Coalition have been working hard to ensure that users of all modes of transportation can get along and travel safely in Philadelphia. They have teamed up to create guidelines and regulations for what are known … Continue reading UPDATE: Working Together for Complete Streets in Philadelphia
Article: Children who walk to school have better concentration
As this article from The Atlantic Cities explains, a recent study in Denmark found that children who walk or bike to school performed better on tasks requiring concentration than children who were driven to school. In the study, this exercise appeared to have an even greater impact on performance than eating breakfast. Cognitive improvement is … Continue reading Article: Children who walk to school have better concentration
Article: America is a Walking Disaster
This article from The Atlantic Cities explains how car-oriented design and policies have made suburban areas inhospitable for pedestrians. For example, as one contributor to the Greater Greater Washington blog found out, it can take as much as 8 1/2 minutes to legally cross a suburban street! How can we shift policy and design to … Continue reading Article: America is a Walking Disaster
New pedestrian signals around 30th St. Station are a bit more vocal
As part of a PennDOT improvement project, the pedestrian signals at Market and Chestnut streets between 30th and Schuylkill Avenue have been upgraded with an automated-voice feature telling pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street. According to Plan Philly, the automated-voice signals have had mixed reviews. While the audible cues are intended to increase pedestrian … Continue reading New pedestrian signals around 30th St. Station are a bit more vocal
Male pedestrians twice as likely to die in collisions with vehicles
Male pedestrians are more likely to be killed in collisions with vehicles. A study published last November in the journal Injury Prevention set out to determine why this is. The researchers looked at a number of factors, including distance walked, but found out that this is probably not the cause; men and women walk about … Continue reading Male pedestrians twice as likely to die in collisions with vehicles
Feet First Philly 