Study to address pedestrian safety concerns
In November 2017, University Police began increased traffic enforcement. An announcement in the Oct. 27 edition of WSU Today and Shocker Blast said, "Two violations that were instrumental in making the change are drivers running stop signs and the failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Because of a number of complaints and a near fatal accident in 2016, it has become necessary to change driving behaviors. Written citations are an incentive for good driving practices."
Eric King, associate vice president for facilities planning, says the university has entered into an agreement for services with Traffic Engineering Consultants, who in collaboration with MKEC Engineering, will conduct the study.
The study will include:
- Documenting existing safety features present at each pedestrian crossing on campus.
- Placing video cameras to record current pedestrian and vehicular interactions at high pedestrian locations.
- College 24-hour traffic volumes at high traffic locations to provide information of vehicular traffic patterns and peaking tendencies.
- Establish recommendations for a campus-wide crosswalk guideline document based on existing conditions present at each crossing.
- Investigate all existing crosswalks and note deficiencies with regard to the recommended guideline document above.
- Establish recommendation for a campus-wide guidance document for the proper locating of crosswalks.
- Review the existing crosswalk system on campus and make recommendations concerning the addition new crosswalks and the elimination and consolidation of existing crosswalks based on the guideline documents above.
- Investigate all existing crosswalks and determine if vehicular sight-distance deficiencies exist at any location and recommend proper action to eliminate deficiencies found.
- Provide a written report with recommendations at the conclusion of the study.