Efforts to Increase Pedestrian Safety Take Hold in Nevada and Kentucky

With a new Governors Highway Safety Association report estimating that the number of pedestrian fatalities jumped 10 percent in 2015, the highest ever, we look at efforts in Nevada and Louisville, Ky. to increase pedestrian safety.

2 minute read

March 11, 2016, 9:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


In their March 8 press release for their new report (posted here), the Governors Highway Safety Association "also asked its state members to share examples of strategies underway to reduce pedestrian and motor vehicle collisions." Local media reported on such efforts in Nevada and Louisville, Ky.

The Silver State had the fourth highest pedestrian fatality rate (deaths per 100K population) in 2014 after New Mexico, Florida and Delaware, according to Table 2 on page 8 of the report [PDF]. Deaths increased 20 percent to 24 in the first six months of 2015, according to Table 3.

"Pedestrian fatalities have reached an epidemic level, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation," writes Kailyn Brown for the Las Vegas Sun. "In response, NDOT is launching the ePEDemic.org website and awareness campaign."

“ePEDemic.org is a statewide information campaign that reminds pedestrians and drivers to be more aware,” NDOT spokesman Tony Illia said. "NDOT is also making road engineering improvements that can ultimately help save lives, Illa said."

For example, see the photo of the "Danish offset" in the median area of Maryland Parkway near University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Essentially it is a crosswalk that "makes an S turn, slowing down pedestrians and making them look at traffic before they cross."

"Two years in a row now we’ve had record pedestrian fatalities,” said Erin Breen, UNLV director of the Vulnerable Road Users Project. “We’re not doing any better. We’ve got to do more.”

"Louisville, Ky. has been considered one of the most dangerous cities in the country for pedestrians," writes Danielle Lama for WDRB (and states in news broadcast). "So to try and keep walkers safe, officials are changing the timing of some traffic lights."

Pedestrians will get the green walk light four seconds before the motorists get the green.

"It's a proven safety measure that improves pedestrian safety," said Metro Public Works Assistant Director Jeff Brown. "We get them out in front of the vehicles before they have a chance to go, so the pedestrian is clearly visible to any car that's stopped at the intersection." 

However, Brown's department was recently ridiculed in Broken Sidewalk and Streetsblog, posted here, for removing a sidewalk in a street median in the name of improving public safety.

Hat tip to AASHTO Daily Transportation Update

Tuesday, March 8, 2016 in Las Vegas Sun

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

6 hours ago - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

7 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA