Walk on the Safe Side
New Pedestrian Safety Campaign Begins

The Texas Medical Center, in cooperation with The University of Texas, city of Houston, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Rice University, and University of Houston police departments, last month announced plans to implement a new pedestrian safety campaign.

For a 30-day period, from Jan. 8 to Feb. 8, the partnering law enforcement agencies will issue warnings to jaywalkers, then ticketing will begin. Fines for violating the jaywalking ordinance can reach up to $200.

The Texas Medical Center is the first stop in a public education campaign along the 7.5-mile light rail route, currently under construction. For 60 to 90 days, this prototype program will be tested.

This campaign is needed for several reasons:

• Significantly more people are coming to the Texas Medical Center than ever before. Many are elderly or ill, and may find it difficult to maneuver the terrain.
• Vehicular traffic has increased, as a large number of people are driving through the Texas Medical Center on their way to other destinations.
• Ongoing area construction on both the METRORail and throughout the Texas Medical Center has caused concern for pedestrian safety.

Andy Icken, Texas Medical Center executive vice president of support services and enterprises, said this unique pedestrian and automobile traffic creates the potential for problems.

Last year, more than 360 accidents occurred in the areas surrounding the Texas Medical Center campus, 10 of which were auto/pedestrian accidents.

These statistics may seem small, but looking at the big picture, these numbers are quite significant, Icken said.

Last year, the two Level I trauma centers in the Texas Medical Center – Memorial Hermann Hospital and Ben Taub General Hospital – admitted 750 auto/pedestrian accident patients from Harris County.

"We at the Texas Medical Center place a priority on safety," said Icken. "It is our strong, personal belief that accidents can be prevented."

The campaign is a multifold effort. Eighteen crosswalks have been installed or re-marked, pedestrian signals have been replaced at 18 intersections, and at 13 intersections, the traffic light timing has been optimized.

In addition to these efforts, some new pedestrian crossing signs and signals have debuted. Included are audio/ visual signals to aid those with hearing or vision problems. The signals feature computerized sequencing, an electronic 20-second countdown, walking figure indicators, alternating hand signals, and an audible start signal. These new signals are currently in place at the Fannin Street/Dryden Road intersection, and will be installed soon at the Holcombe Boulevard/Bertner Avenue intersection.

"As we install METRORail tracks down Fannin Street, it becomes even more critical for pedestrians to observe designated crosswalks," said Shirley A. DeLibero, METRO president and CEO. "There are no shortcuts to safety."

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/02_01_02/page_19.html