A program of the Auburn University Transportation Research Institute (AUTRI) has partnered with the City of Selma to form a plan to address traffic safety issues.
According to an announcement from Auburn University (AU) the Alabama Transportation Assistance Program (ATAP) will have a particular focus on Highland Avenue.
The announcement said that 13 pedestrians have been struck by vehicles on U.S. 80 in Selma since 2018, with three of them being fatal. The most recent was on Sept. 24 this year.
“While pedestrian crashes are increasing nationwide, Selma’s situation is particularly critical,” Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. said in the announcement. “Two years ago, we learned that the city’s pedestrian crash rate was three and a half times the state average."
"Over the past two years, we have continued to upgrade crosswalks and sidewalks as funding has allowed. Today, our pedestrian crash rate has improved from 3.5 times the state average to 2.9. However, last week’s death underscores the need for further action.”
Prior to the recent partnership and the September incident, ATAP had reportedly been working with the city by participating in their U.S. Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant titled “Step Up Alabama". The grant focused on pedestrian facility improvement projects but did not address U.S. 80.
The new partnership will involve creating a plan in collaboration with officials and residents.
“It is driven in part by the data collected, but community input is also important because residents may observe issues and have experiences that do not necessarily appear in the data,” said Rod Turochy, associate director of outreach for AUTRI.
The collaboration falls under Safety Technical Assistance for Counties and Cities (STACC) program, which "provides technical support, training, and other resources to Alabama counties and cities to help reduce fatalities and injuries on local roads" and is funded by the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Part of the plan will involve applying for state and federal funding, but may also have upgrades such as sidewalks and public relations campaigns.
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