AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala, — Rural Alabama communities are at high risk for pedestrian and cyclist accidents because roadways are designed for motorized vehicle travel. Safety improvements are necessary. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Thriving Communities program — in partnership with the Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering — is addressing this issue thanks to a $504,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. This funding will be used to develop safety action plans in five counties: Barbour, Bullock, Russell, Marion and Greene. These five counties have a high rate of crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists each year. The plans will focus on enhancing road safety for those groups.

Mitch Carter, the evaluation specialist for Thriving Communities, said simple improvements like crosswalks, bike lanes and clear signage can make a huge difference in the safety of people who rely on walking or biking as their main mode of transportation.

Addressing High Crash Rates and Disadvantaged Populations

Rural areas and southern states rank among the highest in pedestrian fatality rates. The SS4A program aims to reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries by funding regional, local and tribal road improvement initiatives. SS4A directs approximately half of its funds to fund improvements in rural and underserved communities. This investment emphasizes the growing recognition of the safety needs in rural areas.

According to the USDOT’s Equitable Transportation Explorer, the five counties selected for this project are among the most vulnerable communities in the state, with challenges in transportation, social support and healthcare. Many residents in these areas rely on walking or biking as their primary mode of transportation to access work, schools, shopping and other essential activities.

“When we talk to residents and ask why they don’t walk or bike more often, the majority of responses relate to a lack of safe places to do so,” Carter said. “Narrow road shoulders and high vehicle speeds are two of the main reasons these roads are unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians.”

Expanding Active Transportation Plans

In earlier efforts, Thriving Communities helped develop active transportation plans for four of these five counties. The new SS4A funding will build on that work by focusing on evaluating crash data and finding high-risk areas where infrastructure improvements are most needed.

“This funding allows us to dig deeper into the data and understand exactly where the greatest risks are,” said Jeff LaMondia, professor in Auburn’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “We’ll be able to target those high-risk locations and propose real solutions to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Community Input and Crash Data

Evaluation specialists will look at two types of data to determine the most important areas for safety improvements. These include observed accidents that are reported to the police and near-miss incidents, which often go unreported. Residents will play a key role by sharing experiences and identifying areas where they feel unsafe walking or biking.

“We’re relying on the community to tell us where they feel most at risk,” LaMondia said. “Their input and feedback on proposed solutions will help shape the improvements we recommend.”

Carter said the safety action plans will include guidance for turning proposed ideas into achievable projects through a mixed stream of federal, state and local funds.

“Many smaller communities may struggle to fund large infrastructure undertakings, but the plans will identify realistic pathways to do so,” Carter said. “The safety action plans will not only make these rural communities safer but also encourage more residents to choose walking or biking between everyday destinations, knowing they can do so with greater peace of mind.”

More Information

By combining technical assistance from Alabama Extension and Auburn with local insights from community members, Thriving Communities aims to create roads that are safer for everyone. To learn more about nutrition and physical activity, visit www.LiveWellAlabama.com. There, you can find valuable resources, practical advice and insights to support your wellness journey. To learn more about creating a community plan for increasing safe walking and biking, visit www.ALthrivingcommunities.com.

For those looking to connect with others interested in a healthy lifestyle, consider following Live Well Alabama on social media. Their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms offer a space to share experiences, find inspiration and join a community focused on well-being.