A new roundup of Walkability Wins. This week we’re showcasing the movement by highlighting more places across the country advancing pedestrian-friendly agendas.
Richmond, Virginia
Leading Pedestrian Intervals are coming to 107 of Richmond’s intersections. Previously Richmond only had 28 LPIs. LPIs are a great way to reduce the number of crashes involving pedestrians and vehicles. Before the light turns green for vehicles, the pedestrian signal changes first for a few seconds before, giving pedestrians a head start into the intersection. This increases crossing pedestrian visibility and can reduce the number of conflicts by up to 60%.
Henrico County, Virginia
The Central Virginia trail, Fall Line Trail, has begun construction. The multi-use trail will connect existing and planned trails from Ashland to Petersburg and will extend 43 miles. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Henrico. The trail in Henrico will pass through Spring Park and will bring improvements to this historic 2.8 acre park. Funds from the trail come from the county, federal and state grants.
Santa Barbara, California
The main road through downtown Santa Barbara, State St., was closed to cars during the height of the pandemic. Recently, the city council re-opened the topic and allowed the public to decide if State Street should remain closed to cars or not. Thanks to the efforts of alternate transportation advocates like Move Santa Barbara County, State will remain a pedestrian friendly street until at least 2026. In addition, the Council also voted the Ordinance Committee to create a public right-of-way parklet design program for parklets outside the promenade.
Franklin, Louisiana
The City of Franklin will use funding from the Transportation Alternatives Program from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to improve pedestrian infrastructure, such as connectivity of sidewalks, accessibility and repair. Recent changes to the TAP program through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and AgCenter Healthy Communities at LSU, communities no longer have to contribute a 20% cash match to use TAP funds. The flexibility of the IIJA now allows communities with fewer than 5,000 residents to contribute only 5% of the total project, making TAP funds more accessible.
California
Advocates across California are celebrating Assembly Bill 413 signed into law by Gov. Newsome designed to increase visibility at crosswalks. This bill had already been implemented in some cities in California, but now this bill changes the California Vehicle Code to restrict vehicles from stopping, standing or parking within 20 feet of the approach side of crosswalks. This allows drivers to see if someone is entering the crosswalk.
To catch up on previous installments of Walkability Wins, visit our blog. Have a win? Send it to us: social@americawalks.org.
