How to travel safely in Pittsburgh during construction, pedestrian deaths are on the rise

Pittsburgh travelers are always faced with a dilemma. Landslides and heavy rains. Some of the highest mountains in the country. Unconventional – and unreasonable in some respects – road grid system. But thanks to the influx of infrastructure dollars due to the growing number of construction projects in the region, many Pittsburgers take to the streets and have a special time.

Civil engineers and travel experts agree that it is a dangerous time for non-motorists because of the clean and shifting conditions that can change daily travel on Pittsburgh roads and bridges for years to come.

We have been warned.

Ninety projects were planned for Pittsburgh’s roads and bridges, Governor Tom Wolf said in March. Wolf said the public will be able to “see more workplaces” and experience safer travel and driving experiences, and will begin the “2022 construction season with more than $ 317 million in infrastructure projects in the region”.

About 388 miles of road repairs will be done. Sixty-seven bridges – 24 in poor condition – are repaired or replaced. (In particular, there is growing concern that rising federal inflation may not be far off due to rising inflation, fuel costs, and problems with the protection of basic materials such as concrete and asphalt.)

Additional government-sponsored transportation projects are underway for bridges, pedestrians, highways, and corridors.

“People need to know that this summer there will be more construction than ever before,” said Mark Magalotti, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.

Federal funding for the repair of Pennsylvania roads and bridges means more construction on roads that are already vulnerable to Pittsburgh.

This year, pedestrian deaths across the United States have increased by nearly 40 years. Pennsylvania is one of the top 10 states in terms of pedestrian deaths from 2020 to 2021.

“The big reason for this was speeding,” said Scott Brick, director of Bicycling Pittsburgh. “People may feel safe, but speed kills.”

About 5% of pedestrians die when they collide with a car traveling at 20 miles per hour, but that estimate jumps to 40% for pedestrians traveling at 30 miles per hour, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.

How can non-car Pittsburgh travelers stay safe this summer?

Studies show that the streets are safer with less speed and more off-road travel, such as cycling or public transportation, Breaker said. About 40% of the journey in Pittsburgh is less than 2 miles, so most people can be reached without a car.

But the things that keep most people riding bicycles and walking are the safe streets and everything that people want to avoid in the first place. So, of course, the question should be, ‘What can the government do to protect non-motorists at all levels – local, county, state and federal?’ Must be. Walking, cycling, transportation-rich communities.

“Some of the major construction projects that are underway this summer and throughout the year will eventually result in more secure bike lanes, safer pedestrian crossings and more neighborhood connections,” Bricker said.

For example, they are going to open some of the $ 1.7 million Sylvan Avenue bicycle and pedestrian traffic to Hazelwood and Greenfield, which will connect work centers in Auckland, Pendotto reports.

Magalotti said Pittsburgh travelers could expect many highways to be rebuilt or bridges to be repaired or replaced in the coming years due to infrastructure costs and federal winds.

“This is a good thing because we have such a long-standing infrastructure in this country,” says Maglotti. “Just try to know this and try to tolerate this a little bit because we are coming from a better road system than we have now.”

Bricker said many construction projects will result in slower speeds and generally safer roads.

Some urban projects have taken place in recent years to increase and promote pedestrian safety. To remove traffic from pedestrians, it includes adding new pedestrian signs and new parking lots and giving pedestrians a first step when crossing the road.

“Innovative transportation certainly helps in certain areas,” said Alexander Stevanovich, an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.

This includes modern features to ensure safe travel for vulnerable travelers, such as pedestrian sensors or automated counting systems that help agencies better understand traffic flows and systems.

“Currently, the city is investing in infrastructure to identify pedestrians and arm them,” he said. “One of the best ways to identify pedestrians, for example, is to improve, hit the sweet spot and at the same time provide reliable support for pedestrians and efficient operations for vehicles.”

Tilisa C. Johnson is the audience engagement editor for PublicSource. It can be found on her tylisa@publicsource.org Or on Twitter @tylisawrites.