LHTAC and FHWA are hosting a demonstration workshop on Pedestrian Treatments this September – Are you interested?

The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) applied for incentive funding to provide a demonstration workshop on Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) Treatments in Boise, and potentially other locations in Idaho this September. The daylong workshop would include a half-day of class instruction using FHWA experts and half-day of onsite observation of the construction. 

Tentative dates would be during the week of September 18-21, 2017.

The goal of this workshop is to enable Local Highway Jurisdictions (LHJs) to develop an understanding of how cost-effective countermeasures with known safety benefits can help reduce pedestrian fatalities at uncontrolled crossing locations and un-signalized intersections.

Why STEP?

Pedestrians account for over 17.5 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and the majority of these deaths occur at uncontrolled crossing locations such as mid-block or un-signalized intersections. These are among the most common locations for pedestrian fatalities generally because of inadequate pedestrian crossing facilities and insufficient or inconvenient crossing opportunities, all of which create barriers to safe, convenient, and complete pedestrian networks.

Expecting pedestrians to travel significantly out of their way to cross a roadway to reach their destination is unrealistic and counterproductive to encouraging healthier transportation options. By focusing on uncontrolled locations, agencies can address a significant national safety problem and improve quality of life for pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures

FHWA is promoting the following pedestrian safety countermeasures through the fourth round of Every Day Counts (EDC-4):

• Road Diets can reduce vehicle speeds and the number of lanes pedestrians cross, and they can create space to add new pedestrian facilities.
• Pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHBs) are a beneficial intermediate option between RRFBs and a full pedestrian signal. They provide positive stop control in areas without the high pedestrian traffic volumes that typically warrant signal installation.
• Pedestrian refuge islands allow pedestrians a safe place to stop at the midpoint of the roadway before crossing the remaining distance. This is particularly helpful for older pedestrians or others with limited mobility.
• Raised crosswalks can reduce vehicle speeds.
• Crosswalk visibility enhancements, such as crosswalk lighting and enhanced signing and marking, help drivers detect pedestrians—particularly at night.

Benefits

• Improved Safety. Countermeasures are available that offer proven solutions for reducing pedestrian fatalities at uncontrolled crossing locations.
• Targeted Investment. By focusing on uncontrolled locations, agencies can address a significant national pedestrian safety problem.
• Enhanced Quality of Life. Improving crossing opportunities boosts quality of life for pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Would you be interested in attending this FREE training?

There is no cost to attend this workshop. At this time we are looking for a rough estimate of who would be interested in attending this workshop.

Please help us gauge interest by clicking the link below and filling out your information. The focus audience for this workshop is roadway supervisors, foreman, and employees.

Let us know you are interested in attending by following the link below for the location you would most likely attend. The workshop will be held in Boise and if there is enough interest to hold another workshop in Northern and Eastern Idaho we will add those locations too. This will give us a rough estimate of interest at each location. We will have a formal RSVP link in the next few weeks as we confirm event details.

Please indicate if you are interested in attending by August 10th.

Boise Idaho – Yes, I would be interested in attending – Link
Northern Idaho – Yes, I would be interested in attending – Link
Eastern Idaho – Yes, I would be interested in attending – Link

8/23/17 UPDATE: Registration is now open. Follow the link below for current information on these workshops. https://lhtac.org/lhtac-news/step-workshops-september-2017/