e-newsletter header
March 2011 
In This Issue
Rally, online meetings and intown shopping
Safety improvements afoot
Preventing work zone perils for pedestrians
Take action for better walking!
Numerous opportunities exist in the weeks ahead for you to encourage government officials to make funding, land use and design decisions that support walkable commFair Share for Transit logounities: 
  • Rally for a Fair Share for Transit. Show support for the Livable Communities Coalition's campaign to ensure that the project list for the proposed regional sales tax includes a fair share for transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects. 
    Tuesday, March 29, 4:30 - 6:30 PM, Old Freight Depot       
  • Take part in ARC's fifth online public meeting about Plan 2040. Take this brief survey to let them know what you think about the draft 25-year Regional Transportation Plan.        
  • Comment on the proposed Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal encouraging decision-makers to use it to improve connectivity in downtown Atlanta. The public comment period closes April 13. Project information and instructions are available online.
You can also support the growth of intown retail by visiting Midtown Pop-Up Shops this weekend.

State and regional agencies step up to the plate

It took over 50 years -- and a lot of money -- for the Atlanta region to build infrastructure as autocentric as what we have today. And it will take time and money for the region to create streets that are safer and more accessible for people who walk.

Fortunately, the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Atlanta Regional Commission and are both working on it. Earlier this month, PEDS met with Georgia Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and Governor's Office of Highway Safety officials to learn whether pedestrians are receiving a fair share of Highway Safety Improvement Program funds. We liked their response.

Dangerous crossing on Ponce de LeonFollowing the stakeholders meeting we held last year, GDOT safety planners obtained approval to fund the next phase of safety improvements on Buford Highway. GDOT also moved forward on plans to fund pedestrian safety improvements on Ponce de Leon, Georgia's second most dangerous road for pedestrians. GDOT is currently purchasing additional right of way on Buford Highway and expects improvements to be installed in 2012. It will soon hire consultants to design improvements on Ponce de Leon. We expect to see new sidewalks, median refuge islands and HAWK signals on both roads.

GDOT also has developed programs to routinely install countdown signals and install or upgrade curb ramps as part of all road projects in urban areas. PEDS commends GDOT for these important steps forward.

The Atlanta Regional Commission also is finding ways to incorporate pedestrian needs into other projects. ARC will be investing significant funding in roadway multimodal scoping studies. This will ensure that improvements are included which address the needs of all users, including transit riders. ARC has also adopted a policy statement calling for all future projects in the region to adhere to complete streets principles.

With your support, PEDS and other advocacy groups will help keep the state and region honest in fulfilling their commitment to fund, design and operate streets with all users in mind, including cyclists, transit users, and pedestrians of all abilities.

Workshop increases awareness of work zone perils for walkers

When sidewalks are closed for construction projects, federal guidelines require transportation agencies and contractors to provide temporary routes that are accessible to all pedestrians. Despite that, work zones often create serious perils for pedestrians.     

 Safe Access in Work Zones training session

To remedy that, PEDS collaborated with the Center for the Visually Impaired, Plastic Safety Systems , and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to present a training session on best practices for creating pedestrian routes in work zones.

Forty people attended, including sidewalk inspectors, utility workers, engineers and construction contractors. The training began with a walking tour of a nearby construction project. A pedestrian with visual impairments demonstrated difficulties he experienced when equipment was not cane detectable or when barriers failed to block the entire sidewalk.

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PEDS is a member-based advocacy group dedicated to
making metro Atlanta safe and accessible for all pedestrians.
404-685-8722       peds.org