Abstract
This thesis portfolio focuses on the issue of pedestrian safety in the United States, which consistently sees pedestrian fatality rates at higher magnitudes than any other developed country. As highway infrastructure developed rapidly following the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure were placed on the backburner while efficient vehicular transport became a national priority. As a result, pedestrian injuries and fatalities became increasingly common, particularly in metropolitan areas. Acknowledging this history and its impact on urban communities, the two projects work in tandem to understand the variety of pedestrian infrastructure improvements that may be implemented and what factors influence their success. By weaving technical concepts, local and national policy, and other external forces into a sociotechnical system, this portfolio explores the question: What changes can be made to better protect pedestrians in urban areas of the United States?
The STS research paper, Walking in Motor Cities, used a multi-angled approach to the issue of pedestrian fatalities in urban areas by inquiring: Considering Detroit, Michigan’s and Baltimore, Maryland’s previous and ongoing efforts, which factors carry the potential to promote or inhibit meaningful pedestrian safety improvements in the metropolitan United States? This research collected data from government websites, federal committee reports, and local newspapers to understand the roles that existing infrastructure, community attitudes, economic investment, and political leadership structures play in the issue. By comparing the historical and current trends in Detroit and Baltimore through the STS lens of participatory design, the research identified the importance of a community’s trust in their local leaders for the successful implementation of infrastructure. Ultimately, this research concluded that factors such as economic investment and secure political leadership are influential in transportation infrastructure, but community attitudes are a driving force in effective long-term implementation.
Route US-29 in Charlottesville, Virginia has historically been a hot spot for pedestrian injuries due to its lack of signalized crossings and extensive roadway widths. After crossing Hydraulic Road, the roadway does not have another crosswalk for 1.7 miles at the Rio Road intersection, meaning pedestrians would frequently run across eight or more traffic lanes without adequate protections and be put at a greater risk of injury. Rather than implementing new policies or making minor changes, the US-29 Pedestrian Bridge project addressed this issue through large-scale infrastructure. Bolstered by a combination of community support and state-supplied funding, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) sought a design proposal for a multimodal bridge to cross US-29 near Zan Road. VDOT required submittals consistent with a typical design-build proposal, including plan and profile drawings of the bridge with structural component details and material selections. These drawings were to be supplemented with maintenance of traffic (MOT) plans, erosion and sediment control (E&S) plans, a preliminary cost estimate, and construction schedule. The team used existing survey data and maps to develop three conceptual design alternatives. After completing an analysis of right-of-way and utility relocation costs and selecting a preferred design, the bridge details and supplemental deliverables were completed using a combination of Civil 3D and hand calculations as specified by various VDOT, AISC, and AASHTO manuals. The final design features a 16-foot wide concrete bridge deck with ramps at a consistent 5% grade to maintain ADA compliance.
While the STS research explores the various factors that influence effective pedestrian infrastructure, the technical project showcases a possible solution in a city with adequate community support and financial resources. The intended goal of this portfolio was accomplished, as the implementation of pedestrian safety initiatives and their potential limiting factors were studied on both large and small scales in different communities. Future work for both the STS and technical projects may involve observing pedestrian behaviors and safety statistics in Detroit, Baltimore, and Charlottesville to analyze the accuracy and wider applicability of the conclusions drawn.
