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The City of Kent is working to develop a system of Form Based Codes. It's enlightening to see how other cities have transformed their communities to be more walkable and resilient.
Deep breath, focus, envision out community thriving and surviving COVID 19.
Does anyone know how I can find Male vs Female Pedestrian Fatalities Data for the State of Florida? A recent FDOT Public Records Request has revealed that 130 Pedestrians are killed every year in Florida as a direct result of the misplacement of Wheelchair Curb Cuts. -
Dear Smart Growth America:
Please conduct some research on Florida's Unmarked Mid-Block Crosswalks and how they are killing Female Pedestrians.
Every year Nationwide about twice as many Male Pedestrians are killed than Female Pedestrians. So I was wondering why there were so many Females being killed in Florida's Mid-Block Crosswalks. A September 2018 Study in the Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering shows that Males actually take more attempts to cross in these type of crosswalks. However, more Females are killed because Females cross slower than Males. I think the Government should make our Crosswalks safely accessible to both sexes.
Thank you,
Jeff Redding
Sarasota, Florida
Pedestrian Safety Advocate
Dear Smart Growth America:
Please consider writing about the dangers of the "Mid-Block Crosswalk". Thank you.
https://www.pedestriansmatter.org
In memory of Jessica, Lillia, Isabel, Alexis, and Sophia. May they Rest in Peace.
Please share this short video on Social Media if you care anything about Disabled Veterans, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, and The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
For many years the FDOT has been misrepresenting and abusing the ADA. The FDOT is misrepresenting ADA Wheelchair Pass By Standards and is placing Wheelchair Curb Cuts in very dangerous locations. Unfortunately, this ADA Fraud has resulted in several Fatal Pedestrian Accidents. For detailed background information including photos and videos please visit.
https://www.pedestriansmatter.org
In Memory of Jessica, Lillia, Isabel, and Alexis, Rest in Peace.
Sincerely,
Jeff Redding
Sarasota, FL
941-227-6965
Pedestrian Safety Advocate
Lifetime Member, Blinded Veterans of America
Irfana Jetha Noorani on How a Park Can Prevent Cultural Gentrification
August 7, 2019 at 1 p.m. Eastern
The dark side of green development–and what cities should do instead
Toward a new vision of sustainable development: “just green enough.”
"A 'strong town' is one that is able to take care of and manage its own needs without needing outside assistance."
Things are not looking good for South Florida when it comes to complete streets. #anewlow #wecandobetter #dangerousbydesign
Dear Smart Growth America Members:
Please Forward this Post to anyone who cares about Pedestrian Safety, the U.S. Access Board, Congressional Representatives, etc... Thank you.
From: Jeff Redding, (Vision Impaired Disabled Veteran and Pedestrian Safety Advocate)
To: Whom It May Concern
Subj: Local and Nationwide Pedestrian Safety Violations
References:
A. (FHWA Clear Zone Standards) (see item 6)
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/clearzone.cfm
B. Safety Effects of Marked Versus Unmarked Crosswalks
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/04100/
The first step in Pedestrian Safety should be providing pedestrians (and cyclists) with an unobstructed Right of Way.
Below are two examples of how the Department of Transportation ignores established Federal Safety Guidelines and endangers the lives of Pedestrians and Cyclists.
Local, State,and Federal are all responsible for the safety of their Citizens and should work together in order to ensure compliance of established Safety Guidelines (and common sense).
1. The DOT misrepresents ADA Wheelchair Pass By Standards in order to place Street Lamp Posts in the middle of sidewalks rather than in the Utility Strip (see Profile Pic). The DOT tells Pedestrians (and News Reporters) that they can place Light Posts anywhere on the sidewalk as long as a Standard Wheel can pass by the Post. This is a fraudulent and absurd misrepresentation of the ADA. As a Disabled Veteran I am very offended the the government would actually claim it is the ADA which gives them the authority to obstruct our Right of Way. Please look at the Photos. Utility Posts should not be in the middle of the sidewalk. What ever happened to Common Sense?
Recommendations:
Follow the established Federal Safety Guidelines listed in Reference (A). Relocate Utility Posts which violate Federal Clear Zone Safety Standards. Pass a Statue or Law whereas County and State ADA Coordinators are required to have former Education and Training in the ADA. Currently, County and State ADA Coordinators are former Contractors, etc... (This is like the Foxes guarding the Hen House).
2. The DOT places Unmarked Pedestrian Crosswalks on high traffic, high speed, multiple lane roads. As an example in Florida,
Bee Ridge Road and (U.S. 41) in Sarasota, and Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa. Placing Unmarked Pedestrian Crosswalks on busy multiple lane roads is like enticing Pedestrians to Jaywalk.
Recommendations:
1. When placing Crosswalks follow the established Federal Safety Guidelines listed in Reference (B).
Our Right of Ways need Bicycle Lanes, Shoulders, Utility Strips, and Unobstructed Sidewalks. If the County, State, and Federal Government really cared about Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety then they wound not obstruct our Right of Way or place Unmarked Crosswalks in unsafe locations.
Sincerely,
Jeff Redding
Sarasota, Florida