Learn about the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and Join the City for a Virtual Lunch and Learn

The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) recently released the city’s first Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP). The PSAP aims to meet DOMI’s mobility goals and to increase pedestrian safety by laying out improvements so that all Pittsburghers can walk safely, regardless of age, gender, race, ability, or income. It also identifies the most dangerous “hot spots,” high risk corridors, and areas of frequent transit where these safety measures should be prioritized.

Goals of the Plan

The PSAP lays out some simple universal goals to help guide what a safe, pedestrian-friendly Pittsburgh would look like:

Step 1: People are safe walking day or night and in all neighborhoods.
Step 2: Pittsburgh has a pedestrian network that is accessible and intuitive for everyone.
Step 3: Kids can safely walk around Pittsburgh.
Step 4: Pittsburgh’s pedestrian network is connected to other modes.
Step 5: Walking supports community mental and physical health, well-being, and connections.

Findings in the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan

An important part of figuring out where to make improvements is to capture a snapshot of what’s going on out on the streets. The PSAP analyzed five years of crash data which revealed some interesting findings.

• The majority of pedestrian crashes in Pittsburgh from 2013-2017 occurred: on weekdays between 2 PM and 6 PM, during fall and winter months, and at or near an intersection.
• Most pedestrian crashes occurred on local roads, but crashes were more severe on State-maintained roads.
• Crashes that occurred on higher-speed roads with three to four lanes were more likely to result in severe injury.
• Though the largest portion of pedestrian crashes occurred during daylight hours (66%), half of all fatal and severe injury crashes occurred during dark conditions (50%).
• While the majority of pedestrian injuries involved a pedestrian under the age of 40 (57%), more than half of all fatal and severe pedestrian injuries involved a pedestrian 40 or older (57%). 
• Pedestrians accounted for nearly 30% of traffic fatalities in Pittsburgh between 2013 and 2017, despite only being involved in 6% of total crashes.

Pedestrian Safety Action Plan  “Lunch & Learn” on Wednesday, June 16

DOMI will be holding a “Lunch and Learn” event on Wednesday, June 16th, 2021, at noon to kick off the plan’s implementation. 

Topics to be discussed during the virtual event:

• Background about the creation of the 2020 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
• Highlights of the Plan’s initial findings, vision, and goals for the city
• Contributions from community stakeholders and partners to the Plan
• Current pedestrian safety projects, plans, and programs

What: Pedestrian Safety Action Plan “Lunch & Learn”
When: Wednesday, June 16th, 2021, at 12 p.m
Where: Zoom (register here)

Haiku Safety Program Poetry and Art Contest

All Pittsburgh residents are invited to submit their transportation-themed haikus and art to DOMI’s Safety Haiku and Art Contest. Help DOMI spread the word about bike and pedestrian safety by submitting a safety-related haiku. 

Winners will receive a Safe Routes to School and Move Forward PGH gift pack, and the grand prize winner will receive a copy of their haiku street sign and have it displayed on signs around the city!

The deadline to submit your work is  Friday, July 16, 2021.

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