WPHF Participates in Road Safety Audit
The Federal Highway Administration, Florida Division, along with various Florida transportation partners, determined the intersection of Silver Star Road (SR 438) and Pine Hills Road is dangerous, in need of improvement and asked the community, including the Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF), for thoughts on how to improve it.
Lisa Portelli, WPHF Program Director, Community Health, joined a group of transportation planners and engineers in assessing the area and making recommendations to improve it for safety and overall walkability. WPHF was asked to participate because of its role advocating for and encouraging people to walk and bicycle.
“The six-lane, high speed road has been the scene of numerous accidents and deaths in a community where walking for transportation is the norm,” said Ms. Portelli. “A simple, no-cost fix would be to reduce the speed limit.” The FDOT is also considering concrete planters in the center of the road in certain areas to encourage walkers to cross at signalized intersections instead of jaywalking.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), specifically U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, is promoting an initiative to reduce the growing number of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities through a comprehensive approach that addresses infrastructure safety, education, vehicle safety and data collection. The 18‐ month campaign is beginning with Road Safety Audits (RSA) like this conducted by U.S. DOT field offices in every state, and will produce multiple resources to help communities build streets that are safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and those using public transportation. Additional audits will be held throughout Florida.
