Crashes involving pedestrians happen at an alarming rate in Marion County. According to police reports, at least 82 people died in more than 1,100 pedestrian crashes in the five-year period between 2010 and 2014.
Heath by Design is taking to the streets beginning Tuesday to see what improvements are needed to reduce the number of instances when people walking are hit by cars.
Health by Design is a nonprofit that works to promote physical activity and healthy living. It received a
$20,000 grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to study pedestrian crashes in Marion County and identify recommendations for improvements.
Health by Design has identified the 10 worst areas, outside of downtown, based on the percentage of crashes compared to the land area. Next, a team of professionals, community partners and volunteers will conduct walk assessments in those areas, documenting infrastructure conditions, such as crosswalks, sidewalks, traffic signals and more. Further data analysis will dig deeper into the crashes that have occurred within each area.
From that data, Health by Design will develop an intervention plan for three high-crash areas. The report will be completed this fall.
ĀThe final report will lead to tangible actions that can be taken to keep people traveling on foot safer in high crash areas,Ā said Kim Irwin, coordinator of Health by Design, who is heading up the project. ĀWe expect there will be some quick, easy and lower cost interventions possible, such as repainting crosswalks and retiming pedestrian signals, but we also know that some action items Ā things like adding sidewalks along busy, high-speed corridors Ā will be long-term and require additional public investment.Ā
The 10 worst areas (based on number of crashes involving pedestrians from 2010 to 2014) in no particular order are:
- West 86th Street between Michigan and Harcourt Roads, including portions of Michigan, Township Line and Harcourt roads
- ĀWest 34th and 38th Streets, from Moller Road west to 465, including portions of High School and Moller roads
- ĀWest 38th Street between Boulevard Place and Meridian Street
- ĀEast 38th Street from the State Fairgrounds to Sherman Avenue
- ĀDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street from 25th to 30th streets
- ĀMeridian and Illinois Streets from 14th to 34th streets, including extended portions of 16th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 32nd streets
- ĀWest 10th Street from Tibbs Avenue to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street
- ĀEast 10th Street from Woodruff Place to Arlington Avenue
- ĀWest Washington St. from 465 to Holt Road, including portions of Oliver Avenue and Morris Street
- ĀEast Washington Street from Willard Park to Arlington Avenue, including portions of Michigan, New York and Rural streets and Emerson Avenue
