[nfbwatlk] FW: [Urban Politics] Urban Politics #278, 6/8/09 PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

[Jacob Struiksma]

-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Licata [mailto:Nick.Licata at Seattle.Gov] 
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 5:35 PM
To: urbanpolitics at speakeasy.net
Subject: [Urban Politics] Urban Politics #278, 6/8/09 PEDESTRIAN SAFETY



Urban Politics #278, June 8, 2009

By City Councilmember Nick Licata

Urban Politics (UP) blends my insights and information on current public
policy developments and personal experiences with the intent of helping
citizens shape Seattle's future.

Instructions on subscribing or unsubscribing to the Urban Politics mailing
list are at the bottom of the UP.

SEATTLE'S FIRST PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN 

Last month, the Seattle City Council's Joint Pedestrian Safety and
Transportation Committee got a look at the recommendations for Seattle's
first Pedestrian Master Plan.  

You may remember that in 2007, as Council President I created a Special
Committee on Pedestrian Safety.  The Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group,
known as PMPAG, was convened by this new Council Pedestrian Safety
Committee.  The PMPAG vision - and mine too - is that Seattle become a
"walking city" and recognizes that as we grow, people will walk in
ever-increasing numbers.  To be a "walking city" we must make walking safer.
I am committed to finding the funding to implement this plan after the
Council approves it.  

The draft Pedestrian Master Plan is available on-line at:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pedestrian_masterplan/default.htm.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is accepting public comments
on the Plan now through June 15th.  The Council will learn more at the next
joint meeting of Transportation Committee and Pedestrian Safety Committee
(tentatively scheduled for July 21st at 10:30 AM).  

In PMPAG's own words here is "the plan:

Cites the best of what Seattle has done thus far and encourages a continuing
sense of pride in accomplishment; 

Demands respect and safety for pedestrians; 

Requires that pedestrian connections be made to and among parks, schools,
transit, shops, civic spaces, work spaces, and other land uses;


Encourages people to walk for their own benefit, for the life of the city,
and for the good of the natural environment; 

Obligates all of city government to conduct their work with reference to the
vision; and 

Names the public and private investment that will be necessary to meet the
vision."

SDOT's immediate next steps include: an extensive number of presentations of
the proposed plan's contents to District and Community Council Meetings.
The City Council is scheduled to review and approve the plan in September
and this review will include a public hearing.  The Transportation and
Pedestrian Safety Committees are scheduled to hold a joint meeting for
purposes of holding a public hearing on July 21st to hear public comment on
the draft pedestrian master plan.  

The greatest challenge will be funding the Pedestrian Master Plan. 
Bridging the Gap levy will provide about $60 million, providing SDOT with
$41 million for new infrastructure and $19 million for maintenance.
This would only pay for a small percentage of the highest priority
improvements in the Master Plan.  Hopefully, additional improvements will
result from private development and other public and private resources can
be leveraged for still more master plan implementation

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN KING COUNTY TOO

I am the Vice Chair of the King County Board of Health and to complement the
work I have promoted in City government to improve pedestrian safety I
worked last year to also create a King County Board of Health Injury
Prevention Committee.  This committee is made up of academic experts,
advocacy groups, as well as representatives from local and federal
government.  Earlier this year, the committee passed Board of Health
Resolution 09-05 - this resolution highlights the importance of walking for
chronic disease prevention and encouraging local jurisdictions to improve
pedestrian safety in their communities. 

Specifically, the resolution asks all King County cities to develop or
update pedestrian master plans that incorporate engineering, education,
enforcement and encouragement methods known to improve pedestrian safety and
promote walking; collect and analyze pedestrian crash data; implement
educational outreach programs targeting drivers and pedestrians in most
at-risk groups; and use "complete street" designs to create streets that are
comfortable and safe for all users.

We will soon be identifying a regional group to coordinate and promote
pedestrian safety efforts.

I'll be attending the King County Traffic Safety Coalition meeting on June
16, 2009 to present the efforts of the Health Injury Prevention Committee's
work.  


COUNCIL MEMBERS & MAYOR'S EMAIL ADDRESSES

Tim.Burgess at seattle.gov
Sally.Clark at seattle.gov
Richard.Conlin at seattle.gov
Jan.Drago at seattle.gov
Jean.Godden at seattle.gov
Bruce.Harrell at seattle.gov
Nick.Licata at seattle.gov
Richard.McIver at seattle.gov
Tom.Rasmussen at seattle.gov 

Citizens are directed to the following website to complete a form to send an
email to the Mayor's Office.
http://www.cityofseattle.net/mayor/citizen_response.htm 


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