 Louder horns, reflective paint and bright colored wraps, along with a comprehensive study of intersections are all part of the safety actions for METRORail. This as the agency works to beef up safety along its rail lines. Today, METRO Chair Carrin Patman and President & CEO Tom Lambert gathered with community partners to announce improvements and appeal to the public for assistance in making safety a community priority.
METRO is seeking solutions through a partnership with Bike Houston, Rice University, The Texas Medical Center and City of Houston Public Works, and today the group requested the public's help in achieving safety
goals.
 Pictured L to R- John Long, Sean Cagan, Tom Lambert, Dian Nostikasari, Carrin Patman, Capt. Darrin Lewis, Walter Heinrich
Bike Houston Executive Director John Long urged improved planning at the press conference.
"As Houston becomes more and more dense in its population and as our aspirations continue to rise of who we are as a community.... we need to think about ways to connect these idyllic urban environments rather than saying how do we get cars from here to there as fast as possible," said Long.
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"METRO is making safety enhancements. Also, everyone who walks, drives or rides a bike is responsible for safety. We all must be alert. We must pay attention when we are moving around. If you see track, think train," Patman told reporters.
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METRO is also
using social media and its own facilities to
spread the public safety message.
 Click to Play Video
While the internal safety assessment has started at METRO, a
community education and engagement campaign is underway.
"Nothing and I repeat nothing is off the table. We are looking at things that have traditionally been done and some things that are outside the box," said Lambert. |
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At the news conference, Kinder Institute Research Fellow Dian Nostikasari asked pedestrians and cyclists to participate in a study that is tracking "near-miss" incidents. It will be held March 4- 11.
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