New CTDOT Pedestrian Safety Tool for Practitioners

Reducing pedestrian fatalities is a much-discussed topic in most communities. Pedestrians are vulnerable roadway users, and statistics show that the number of pedestrian fatalities in CT is unfortunately on the rise. According to Watch for Me CT, there were 59 pedestrian fatalities in Connecticut in 2019. Additionally, there were hundreds more crashes resulting in pedestrian injuries.

As we all look for solutions, the CT Department of Transportation has developed a new tool to aid in the selection of the most appropriate pedestrian safety countermeasure at marked uncontrolled crosswalk locations in Connecticut.

The chart shown below is the result of the efforts of a working group within CTDOT’s Complete Streets Standing Committee (CSSC) as well as input from the Division of Traffic Engineering and Highway Design. It is based on national best practices and is a user-friendly matrix, taking into account the roadway volume and speed limit to determine the proper countermeasure.

The chart, along with additional information and links to the countermeasures, can also be found here:
Pedestrian Safety Countermeasure Guidance at Marked Uncontrolled Crosswalks

Staff at the DOT and the T2 Center are available to assist municipalities with understanding how to utilize this new tool to make our communities safer.

If you have any questions about local road safety concerns, you can contact:
Melissa Evans, Safety Circuit Rider at (860) 486-5847 or melissa.evans@uconn.edu.