In response to concerning trends in traffic safety, the Area Plan Commission of Tippecanoe County has introduced the Tippecanoe County Safe Streets for All Action Plan. This initiative is aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries from vehicle crashes for all roadway users.
The action plan, as outlined by Kimley-Horn project manager Brandon Schreeg, focuses on identifying safety challenges through a combination of data analysis and community input.
Schreeg said community engagement is important. He then talked about an interactive online mapping tool that allows residents to pinpoint areas of concern, including near-crashes and hazardous intersections.
“That's why we like to do meetings like this,” Schreeg said. “So we have strategies that we can use to figure out which projects need to be prioritized in this process. Ultimately, we're guiding that implementation of those projects to go after that federal funding to implement some of the projects.”
Assistant Director of Transportation Tim Stroshine said the initiative is urgent. With an average of 15 fatalities annually and an increase in crashes across all modes of transportation, the need for decisive action is evident Stroshine said.
The plan emphasizes engineering-related challenges and strategies to address unsafe driver behaviors, with the overarching goal of prioritizing safety at intersections and reducing vehicle speeds.
Insights from crash data analysis were presented during the meeting and showed prevalent causes and trends in crashes. Running off the road and head-on collisions emerged as top causes, often exacerbated by failure to yield and disregard for traffic signals. Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists, were found to be at higher risk, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“One of the most important things in addition to doing some of the engineering and technical work is hearing from people around the community,” Stroshine said. “We want to really try to get as much information as we can about different perspectives so that we can really get something that’s better for the community.”
The action plan aligns with the broader goals of the Safe Streets and Roads for All federal program and aims to secure additional funding to make roads safer for all users.
Through a combination of engineering measures, education and community engagement, the APCTC seeks to create a safer and more inclusive transportation environment for Tippecanoe County residents.
The group encourages residents to participate in the feedback process through their website, PublicCoordinate, until May 31, ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the future of road safety initiatives in the county.
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