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Environmental Task Forces

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.

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Environmental Task Forces

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  1. Environmental Task Forces Russell Smith Program Advisor, FedEx Global Citizenship

  2. Overview • About the Program • Background • Process • Memphis Project • Outcomes • Next Steps

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. The Process

  7. Process – Data Review Coalition provides instructor with relevant data and other information to help prepare for workshops, such as: Crash Reports Hospital Data School Data Demographic Info Pedestrian Plans Crash Maps Information is used to identify high priority locations in advance of workshop and better understand local safety issues

  8. Process – Data Review Purpose of data review is to answer the following questions: Where are child pedcrashes occurring? Which schools have the highest number of children walking to school? Where is the greatest need?

  9. Process – Workshop Instructor, Coalition, engineers and stakeholders gather for two day workshop Instructor provides overview of pedestrian safety issues and countermeasures, and group discusses problem areas

  10. Process – Workshop Once sites are identified, instructor leads a field audit of target sites to observe issues Missing Sidewalks Speeding and Unsafe Motorist Behavior Wide Corridors with Long Crossing Distance Lack of Signals or Markings Maintenance Needs

  11. Process – Plan Development At the end of the workshop, coalition discusses sites and observations and finalizes location for intervention and selected countermeasure Draft plan is completed during workshop

  12. Process – Implementation Coalition works with engineers to install selected treatment Education/enforcement activities are coordinated around the installation Ribbon cutting ceremony held to draw media attention and build community awareness of pedestrian safety issues

  13. Process – Evaluation Data 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

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

  21. 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

  22. 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

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