NYMTC Regional Pedestrian Safety Study - New York Metropolitan ...

o Safe Routes to School
• NYMTC should conduct a forum on pedestrian safety and best practices
• NYMTC should hold workshop for municipalities and community groups on how to
apply for pedestrian safety grants.
• NYMTC should host forums for decision makers on pedestrian safety
The nature of how the courses are delivered should also be adapted to the characteristics of the
region and how design is done:
♦ Course workshops should be offered in multiple locations throughout the region. It is
difficult for engineers from the smaller, more remote departments to get to the city.
♦ Consultants should be invited. In some jurisdictions, much of the design work is done by
consultants; to ensure that pedestrian safety is considered early in the design stage, the
consultants need to be knowledgeable about the latest techniques.
♦ Other media, such as handouts (particularly brief, quickly assimilated handouts),
brochures, conferences, brown bag lunches for engineers, should also be used.
Other agencies should also provide education and training to their constituencies and their
employees. For example:
♦ Transit agencies should consider providing their drivers with pedestrian awareness
training, similar to that conducted by New Jersey Transit.
7.4 Educate the Public
A common thread throughout the interviews was that pedestrians and drivers need to change
their behavior. This requires an effective education program. Effective means of getting
existing educational material to the target groups should be developed. New materials should be
developed by educators and translated into different languages recognizing cultural factors.
Materials should also use a positive approach, and avoid the negative commandment; instead of
“Don’t . . ..” explain what to “Do..” and how it will protect us. The negative consequences of
unsafe behavior should also be made clear. An effective way of changing adult behavior is to
emphasize their role as models for their children.
♦ Educate children in good walking habits:
o There are several good programs in existence already, such as Safety City
(NYCDOT) and Safety Town (Nassau County Police Department); other counties
should consider developing similar programs.
o All communities should develop Safe Routes to School Programs.
o Develop or expand the use of brochures for parents that will be distributed
through the schools. Keep in mind that one of the most effective ways to change
adult behavior is through engaging the children, and they engage the rest of their
family.
o Develop a brochure for children from suburban communities for walking in New
York City.
NYMTC Pedestrian Safety Study 103