This week is full of high-tech solutions to pedestrian problems, as in Canada Victoria, Vancouver turn to cameras to monitor pedestrian movement, Toyota Making Car That Can Automatically Steer Away From Pedestrians, and in Japan the Transport ministry joins automakers to standardize pedestrian safety technology. But there are some concerns about some pedestrian technology, like the pedestrian countdown signals that some people say make Pedestrians race against clock.
Meanwhile, it's more low-tech crossings that are getting attention in other towns, like in Texas where a there's a Pedestrian crosswalk across Bagdad finally open, or the South Surrey crossings to get pedestrian-controlled traffic lights. Still, Pedestrian safety remains a concern despite push for crosswalk blinkers--and speaking of crossings, can you believe that the Lankershim Boulevard pedestrian bridge price tag tops $27 million?
And while we're on the subject of unbelievable, some Parents angry as pedestrian access to school is closed, and a Pedestrian dies in La Habra collision (thought sadly, that probably is pretty believable). On a more positive note, this week LA mayor Garcetti Launches “Great Streets Initiative”, Arlington Strikes Walking Gold in a River of Highways and Pentagon Sprawl, Street Parties, Walkability Threaten To Make ATL 'Cool', and according to one Study: Decatur's Walkability is Linked to Economic Success. In fact, according to Jeff Speck: America Has So Many Problems. Walkability Solves Most of Them.. Is there anything walkability can't do?
Finally this week, in the view of the NAACP: A Walkable Built Environment Is a “Premier Civil Rights Issue”.
Oh, and one more thing: What Do Pedestrian Traffic Icons Say About Your Culture?