Environmental Task Forces

CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION CONFERENCE 2013 1


Environmental Task Forces

Russell Smith Program Advisor,

FedEx Global Citizenship


Overview

• About the Program• Background• Process• Memphis Project• Outcomes• Next Steps


Walk This Way Program

• Since 2000, FedEx has sponsored the Walk This Way program.

• Goal: Teach drivers and child pedestrians about safe behaviors and to create safer, more walkable communities.


Background – Task Forces

• Since 2005, Safe Kids and FedEx have been making safer roads and communities for kids through long-term infrastructure improvements.

• Partners include engineers, pedestrian safety advocates, community leaders and parents.


About the Task Force Program

• 2005 – 2010: $10,000 grants

• Since 2010 Safe Kids has partnered with UNC HSRC• 18 month grant• Ten grantees each receive

$25,000

CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION CONFERENCE 2013

The ProcessDa

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Data Review

Workshop

Plan Development

Implementation

Evaluation

Process – Data ReviewCoalition provides instructor with relevant

data and other information to help prepare for workshops, such as:

Crash Reports Hospital DataSchool Data Demographic Info

Pedestrian Plans Crash MapsInformation is used to identify high

priority locations in advance of workshop and better understand local

safety issues


Data Review

Workshop

Plan Development

Implementation

Evaluation

Process – Data ReviewPurpose of data review is to answer the

following questions:Where are child ped crashes occurring?

Which schools have the highest number of children walking to school?

Where is the greatest need?


Data Review

Workshop

Plan Development

Implementation

Evaluation

Process – WorkshopInstructor, Coalition, engineers and

stakeholders gather for two day workshop

Instructor provides overview of pedestrian safety issues and countermeasures, and

group discusses problem areas


Data Review

Workshop

Plan Development

Implementation

Evaluation

Process – WorkshopOnce sites are identified, instructor leads a field audit of target sites to observe issues

Missing SidewalksSpeeding and Unsafe Motorist Behavior

Wide Corridors with Long Crossing DistanceLack of Signals or Markings

Maintenance Needs


Data Review

Workshop

Plan

Development

Implementation

Evaluation

Process – Plan DevelopmentAt the end of the workshop, coalition discusses sites and observations and

finalizes location for intervention

and selected countermeasure

Draft plan is completed

during workshop


Data Review

Workshop

Plan Development

Implementation

Evaluation

Process – ImplementationCoalition works with engineers to install

selected treatmentEducation/enforcement activities are

coordinated around the installation

Ribbon cutting ceremony held to draw media attention and build community awareness of

pedestrian safety issues


Data Review

Workshop

Plan Development

Implementation

Evaluation

Process – EvaluationData collected before and after installation

to measure effectiveness in:

Reducing Speeds Increasing Yielding

Increasing Activity Improving Behavior

Reducing Conflicts

Local coalitions also measure effectiveness of educational programs delivered to

schools by pre/post tests.


Memphis, TN

• Memphis historically has challenges with pedestrian safety. • Several “most dangerous cities” list for pedestrians,

including one report from Safe Kids.• Between 2003 and 2011 more than 3,400

pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes occurred.• Of those, nearly a quarter involved pedestrians ages 14

years old or younger.


Memphis, TN

• FedEx cares about its hometown and invests heavily in the community.

• Collaboration between Safe Kids Mid-South, the City of Memphis and FedEx to complete the infrastructure improvements.


Memphis: Treadwell Elementary

• Selection process: • From 2003 – 2011:

• Number of Crashes: 23• Number of Crashes under Age 15: 16• Number of Fatal/Incapacitating Injuries under 15: 5• Clustering of serious injury/fatal crashes near school

property


The Problem

• Speeding• Wide roads• Confusing one-way street• Low visibility crosswalks • Shrubs and other sight

distance issues• Poor signage (placement)• Multiple crossings with

only parallel lines• School bus parking on

busy street


The Solution: Planned Treatments

• FedEx completed a Route Optimization Study to assess the traffic patterns in the school zone as well as examined the one-way street.

• Installed appropriate signage and a curb extension.


The Solution: Planned Treatments

• School buses and child care vans now drop-off/pick-up where no personal vehicles are allowed.

• All bused students are now dismissed through doors closest to the bus loading zone.

• The project is expected to be completed July 2013.


Evaluation

• Post observational data and speed data will be collected after environmental changes are complete.


Outcomes

• The first-ever Safe Kids task force documentary.• The first phase: footage of identified areas

around Treadwell Elementary School pre-intervention. • Interviewed Matthew Thornton, DOT

representatives, bike & pedestrian professionals and key school officials.

• Based on the Safe Kids task force model, the City of Memphis is hiring a position to assess all schools for pedestrian safety


Next Steps

• Going global!• In 2013, grants in the amount of $25,000 -

$50,000 will be awarded to five coalitions in U.S. target cities and one grant to Safe Kids Canada to facilitate a task force in Vancouver, BC.

• Phase II Memphis project

Environmental Task Forces

Documents

Transcript of Environmental Task Forces