 In 2020, then-Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao designated October as "National Pedestrian Safety Month." Pedestrian deaths in the U.S. reached a 40-year high in 2023, spurred in part by inadequate infrastructure, such as missing sidewalks or lighting, the rise in popularity of SUVs and pick-up trucks, which tend to strike a person in the head, neck, and chest area, and wide, high-speed arterial roadways separating residential areas from commercial uses.
In a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, the pedestrian is far more likely to be killed or injured. Here are a few safety tips for motorists.
-
Slow down. Vehicle speed and weight greatly determine injury severity, or the level of blunt force trauma a person must endure. Obey the speed limit.
-
Use extra caution when driving at night. National and local statistics show approximately 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur during non-daylight hours.
-
Don't run. Stop and render aid if you hit someone. Call 911 immediately. National and local statistics show approximately 25% of pedestrian fatalities are hit-and-run. Visit StopTheBleed.org to learn techniques to reduce blood loss after injury.
Earlier this year, Louisville Metro Public Works and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) released a new report on pedestrian safety in Louisville. Prepared by Palmer Engineering and HDR, the report finds that fatal and suspected serious injury crashes have increased over the past decade, mirroring a national trend in the U.S.
The report includes four lists of intersections recommended for pedestrian safety improvements. Of the 176 total unique intersections, 85% are included in Louisville's High Injury Network. A High Injury Network is a data-driven approach which identifies non-interstate roadway segments that account for a disproportionate amount of a community's fatal and serious injury crashes. The High Injury Network allows communities to focus limited resources on improving safety along high priority corridors.
Safe System Approach, U.S. Department of Transportation
Louisville Metro Government won an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to support Vision Zero Louisville, the city's transportation safety initiative. The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant will be matched with $200,000 from Louisville Metro Government. The five-year grant will fund two new full-time positions focused on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisville's streets.
Vision Zero Louisville follows the USDOT-recommended Safe System Approach, with five overlapping strategies: Safer Roads, Safer Speeds, Safer People, Safer Vehicles, and Post-Crash Care. A transportation planner with Public Works will oversee implementation of a future Speed Management Plan, supporting the initiative's Safer Speeds strategy. An epidemiologist with Public Health will oversee implementation of a new data-driven and collaborative program, supporting the initiative's Post-Crash Care strategy.
This is the third time Louisville Metro has won a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. In February 2023, Louisville Metro Public Works was awarded $21 million to improve safety on 10 corridors in Louisville. In December 2023, Louisville Metro Public Works was awarded $7.5 million for a two-way conversion and other safety improvements to 2nd and 3rd Street between W. Broadway and W. Cardinal Blvd.
In the News:
Courier-Journal: Louisville receives $800k for new Vision Zero staff positions, road safety programs, September 22, 2024.
It's that time of year again to prepare for Louisville's third annual World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, November 17. World Day of Remembrance is a global event held every third Sunday in November to honor those who have lost their lives or been impacted by roadway crashes. The day also serves as a crucial opportunity to demonstrate the scale and impact of road-related deaths and injuries and advocate for change.
We need volunteers to help with planning the event, including securing the venue and speakers, as well as day-of support, including set-up and tear-down.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving's (MADD) annual Walk Like MADD Kentucky event will be held on Saturday, October 12 at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. Walk Like MADD is the organization's signature fundraising event, helping raise both awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving.
The Safer People objective of the Safe System Approach prioritizes the reduction of drunk driving. Vision Zero Louisville partners with MADD Kentucky for their subject matter expertise and advocacy on this issue. Come show your support and Walk Like MADD with us on Saturday, October 12!
|
The wait is over! CycLOUvia is back Sunday, October 20th! This time Bardstown Road will be closed off to make room for cyclists, skaters, walkers, and dancers.
Click on the link below or follow CycLOUvia on Instagram for more details!
|
 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 3, 2024) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the South Central Regional Library (7300 Jefferson Blvd, Louisville, KY 40219) to update citizens on the next phase of the Preston Transportation Plan, which identifies short-term and long-term improvements for the roughly seven-mile corridor on Preston Highway between I-264 (Watterson Expressway) and I-265 (Gene Snyder Freeway).
A public meeting was held May 21, 2024, to inform the community on the Preston Transportation Plan and to gather feedback regarding the study. The project team listened to the concerns and suggestions from attendees and are now seeking input on improvement concepts that have been developed for the next phase of the study. During the upcoming Oct. 24 meeting, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will showcase design concepts that reflect the input received from the initial phase of the study.
The Oct. 24 meeting will be held from 5-7 p.m. and will be conducted in an open-house format, allowing attendees to view various exhibits, talk to KYTC representatives and ask questions about the study.
Written surveys will be available at the meeting to make it easier for the public to provide feedback directly to the project team. Surveys can be submitted by mail before Thursday, November 14, 2024, to the KYTC District 5 Office, 8310 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40242. An online survey will be available following the public meeting.
Displays and materials will be available for review at the KYTC District 5 Office in Louisville beginning Friday, Oct. 25. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All responses will become part of the official meeting record. Once compiled, the meeting record and supporting documentation will be made available for review and copying only after an Open Records Request has been received and approved. All Open Records Requests must be submitted to the Transportation Cabinet, Office of Legal Services, Transportation Office Building, 200 Metro St, Frankfort, KY 40622, or via kytc.openrecords@ky.gov.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone with a disability requiring assistance is asked to contact Morgan Woodrum at KYTC, no later than Thursday, Oct. 17. Please call (502) 764-0481, or mail your request to 8310 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40242. Additionally, in compliance with Title VI, translation services are also offered upon request.
* This meeting is not sponsored or endorsed by the Louisville Free Public Library.
###
 Louisville was invited to participate in a peer-to-peer event in Denver last month, bringing together a handful of Vision Zero practitioners from across the country. The two-day event was facilitated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through its "Safe System Approach: Coffee & Conversations" program and was hosted by Denver's Department of Transportation & Infrastructure. The small event allowed for in-depth roundtable discussions of the challenges and priorities common to many Vision Zero communities across the country.
 The Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Authority (KIPDA) is developing a safety action plan for the region, as well as safety action plans for each of its 16 participating jurisdictions. KIPDA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for Louisville and surrounding communities.
Louisville's action plan, which is expected to be completed by Summer 2025, will build upon our Safety Report released in 2021. The action plan will be an umbrella document for all of Vision Zero Louisville's Safe System Approach strategies, including Safer Roads (High Injury Network) and Safer Speeds (Speed Management Plan, currently under development).
 Become a member of Louisville's Complete Streets Coalition! The Complete Streets Coalition was mandated in 2022 through updates to Louisville's Complete Streets ordinance. The primary function of the Complete Streets Coalition is to review a Complete Streets Checklist for publicly-funded projects to ensure those projects meet or exceed design guidelines outlined in Louisville's Complete Streets Design Guide. There are currently two open positions with the Complete Streets Coalition, which encourages passionate individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Serve the Louisville community through a rewarding public service career! The Department of Metro Public Works & Assets is currently hiring for the following positions:
- Director of Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Project Manager - DOT Major Projects
- Project Manager - DOT Special Projects
- Electrician "A" Journeyman
- Engineer
- Engineer Technician
- Equipment Operator
- Executive Administrator - Business Operations
- Executive Administrator - Transportation Programming
- Mechanic - Heavy Equipment
- Packer Driver
- Packer Laborer
- Solid Waste Education Specialist
- Traffic Signal Operations Engineer
- Transportation Systems Management & Operations/Engineering Supervisor
IMPORTANT! The link below is for all of Metro jobs currently open. To learn about career opportunities specifically in Public Works, once you've clicked the link, follow these 3 easy steps:
- click the filter tab
- click Departments
- click Public Works on the dropdown menu
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisvilleky
The Vision Zero Louisville Task Force is a collaborative effort among representatives from multiple government departments, transportation agencies, advocacy groups, healthcare organizations, universities, and law enforcement agencies. The Vision Zero Louisville Task Force meets monthly and is open to the public.
|
