Summer always a good time to highlight pedestrian safety

Fast facts:

• Road safety is a shared responsibility. All road users should stay alert and cautious as warmer weather brings more bikers and pedestrians to U.P. roadways.
• Signalized intersections provide the safest opportunities for pedestrians to cross roadways. Actuate crosswalk pushbuttons to allow extra time for pedestrian crossings.
• Motorized and nonmotorized users alike can find tips to make summer a safer season for everyone onMDOT's website.
• Help MDOT better understand issues surrounding vulnerable road users by taking this survey.
  
  

ESCANABA, Mich. ­- With longer daylight hours, warmer weather and summer officially here, more people are biking and walking on roadways and sidewalks across the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reminds everyone of the critical importance of pedestrian safety.

"MDOT takes a comprehensive Safe System Approach to road safety," said Ben Feldhausen, MDOT Crystal Falls Transportation Service Center traffic and safety engineer. "This holistic approach is a shift from conventional thinking because it accounts for inevitable human mistakes and vulnerabilities. It's about building in redundancies to better protect everyone."

MDOT is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users, including pedestrians. Signalized intersections are designed to move traffic efficiently while providing the safest opportunities for pedestrians to cross. According to recent statistics, about three out of four pedestrian fatalities occur in dark conditions and at locations other than an intersection.

"We've seen many new businesses open along state trunklines around the U.P.," Feldhausen said. "This increases foot traffic and changes traffic patterns, so all road users should be alert and cautious as roadway environments continuously evolve. It's important for pedestrian movements to be predictable along busy highway corridors. As vulnerable road users, pedestrians should cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, when possible, since this is where motorists expect to see them."

Pedestrians are more visible to stopped vehicles when in crosswalks, but communication between pedestrians and motorists (something as simple as making eye contact) can help increase awareness.

Whether you're crossing the road on your walk to work, running an errand to the grocery store or just out strolling on a summer day, follow these crosswalk guidelines:

• If you're at a crosswalk equipped with a pushbutton, use it. It's there to allow extra time for pedestrians to cross the roadway. Push the button to let the traffic signal know you are waiting to cross.
• Wait your turn to cross. Waiting your turn keeps everyone safe, including you. Both vehicles and pedestrians must wait their turn to proceed.
• Once the crosswalk signal indicates that it's your turn to cross, check to make sure vehicles are stopped, make eye contact and proceed to cross the road. Watch for turning vehicles.
• Pedestrians in the sidewalk ramp area are notified to cross by a WALK indication. A common timing provides at least seven seconds of WALK, followed by a flashing DON'T WALK message.
• Pedestrians in the sidewalk ramp area should not attempt to cross if a flashing DON'T WALK signal has already started. The duration of that flashing message allows enough time for people already in the crosswalk to complete their crossing.
• Many intersections provide a countdown indicating how much time is left to safely cross.

MDOT establishes unique timing cycles at traffic signals based on intersection characteristics, pedestrian movements and traffic patterns as engineers strive to balance safety with efficient traffic movements on main and side streets.

"Traffic signals involve complex technology to move the varying modes of travel as efficiently as possible," Feldhausen said. "Actuating the push button changes the signal timing phases to accommodate additional time for pedestrians within the overall timing cycle."

Road safety is a shared responsibility. Motorized and nonmotorized users alike can find tips to make summer a safer season for everyone on MDOT's website.Help MDOT better understand issues surrounding vulnerable road users by taking this survey.

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