Pedestrian Safety Board

Meetings

Agendas & Minutes


Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

Matthew Cross
 Chairperson, Seventh Ward
Jimmie Simmons Vice-Chairperson, Third Ward
Janet Fraser
 Secretary, County
VACANT
 First Ward
Stan Cohen
 Second Ward
VACANT Fourth Ward
Jan Derry
 Fifth Ward and NWVCIL
VACANT Sixth Ward
George Lilley
 County
Bill Reger-Nash County
Damien Davis
 Ex-officio, City Engineer
Bill Austin
 Ex-officio, MMPO
Jenny Selin
 Ex-officio, City Council Rep.
Chirstiaan Abildso
 Ex-officio, WVU
Maria Smith Ex-officio, Mountain Line
Frank Gmeindl Ex-officio, Bicycle Board

About the Board

A pedestrian-friendly environment is desirable throughout the City. But it is especially important in residential areas, around commercial centers and near community facilities such as schools, libraries, parks, event centers, and public service centers such as the court house, the municipal centers and public agencies. Each of these destinations needs to be accessible by commonly used routes which are pedestrian-transit-bicycle friendly - not simply in terms of the appeal of the destination but in terms of attractiveness in the routes which are utilized to access them. These routes need to be well connected from multiple directions and perceived as safe.

Crossing Safety

Walking

Members of the Pedestrian Safety Board encourage Morgantown residents of all ages to incorporate walking into their daily lives as much as possible to promote good physical health and reduce traffic congestion.

Walking brings on personal health and economic benefits:
  • Improves mood and decreases stress
  • Improves physical fitness and aids in weight loss and personal appearance
  • Walking an extra 15 each day burns up roughly five pounds of fat per year
Walking increases transportation efficiency and decreases air pollution:
  • 75% of all half-mile commutes are made via car. The same half mile commute would be roughly a ten-minute walk
  • 25% of greenhouse gas emissions come from personal transportation
Pedestrians have rights and responsibilities while commuting on foot:
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing streets
  • Use designated crosswalks
  • Wear bright/reflective clothing, especially while walking at night
  • Always be cautious and aware of your surroundings
Safety Tips for parents:
  • Teach children the rules of the road
  • Be good role models through your actions
  • Talk about safety as you walk and obey the laws
  • Teach children to look AND listen when crossing a street
  • Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks
  • Use sidewalks, or walk facing traffic if there is no sidewalk

Subcommittees

Subcommittees were established to explore specific issues and the adequacy of the Pedestrian Safety Plan in addressing them:
  • Crosswalks
  • Lighting
  • Safe Routes to School
  • Traffic Calming