Understanding Pedestrian Behavior and Safety in Rural Communities

Project summary:

Many people in rural Minnesota, especially residents of Tribal reservations, walk and bike to destinations and experience risk when crossing or moving along high-speed roadways. This project builds on previous research (i.e., Phase 1) to quantify safety concerns and identify countermeasures on four rural reservations in Minnesota. The objectives of this Phase 2 project are to:

(a) Complete field investigations and identify safety concerns at multiple rural sites, including locations on reservations;

(b) Evaluate countermeasures that are being installed at Phase 1 sites in response to previous research; and

(c) Evaluate countermeasures installed in response to Phase 2 investigations.

Tasks include:

• Technical support for MnDOT-led efforts to engage the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) and the Advisory Council on Tribal Transportation (ACTT) in selection of new, Phase 2 study sites;
• Development of Phase 2 monitoring plans;
• Implementation of monitoring;
• Development and evaluation of countermeasures for Phase 2 sites; and
• Evaluation of countermeasures installed at Phase 1 sites, including an experiment to quantify driver reaction to the presence of pedestrians on rural roadways.