Make pedestrians aware of risk
Pittsburgh has some dangerous areas for pedestrians and the city is working on a long-term plan to make those streets and intersections safer for those who choose to travel by foot. In the meantime, city officials could improve safety by posting signs in the affected areas to let pedestrians know to be on guard.
The city’s Department of Mobility and infrastructure recently completed its first Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, which identifies the most dangerous walking areas. In analyzing accident data from 2013 to 2017, the department identified 10 “hot spots” where pedestrians are most at risk.
Not surprisingly, four of the areas were in Downtown — Liberty, Penn, and Sixth avenues and Grant Street. The others are Fifth Avenue in Oakland; East Ohio Street on the North Side; Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill; Centre Avenue in Shadyside; Liberty Avenue in the Strip District; and East Carson Street on the South Side.
Anyone familiar with the city knows those areas are often packed with pedestrians, be it during the work day or in the evening when people are enjoying the city’s nightlife. The study found that over the five-year period, 13% of the pedestrian accidents occurred in those hot spots. Although many occurred during weekday business hours, the more serious accidents happened at night.
The study recommends the city conduct long-term road safety and walkability audits, and earmark part of the capital budget each year to address problem areas for pedestrians. Other recommendations include installing lower pedestrian lighting at key crosswalks and creating a sidewalk program to fill gaps.
Although worthwhile, those recommendations will take time and money, and more accidents will occur. A more immediate action would be to let pedestrians know when they are walking in an area where accidents occur more frequently. We’ve had signs on highways for years reminding us to “Buckle up” or “Slow down” when heading into a construction zone. Why not some signage, particularly in those hot spots, to alert pedestrians to danger from passing vehicles?
Posting signs wouldn’t be the final solution to stemming the number of pedestrian accidents, but if people are aware of the danger, they may exercise a bit more caution. And if only a few pedestrian accidents are avoided because of the investment in a few warning signs, it will be money well spent.