By JEFF MEYERS
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH — The Clinton County Health Department and Office for the Aging have initiated a project to look at pedestrian safety in several North Country communities.
Over the next several weeks, a pair of Plattsburgh State seniors from the Nursing Division will fan out across the county as part of the Sidewalks and Streets Survey to study pedestrian access at 10 specific locations.
The sites include the city and town of Plattsburgh, Rouses Point, Peru, Keeseville and several more rural areas.
SHARED ROADWAYS
"We're looking to make our communities more accessible and pedestrian friendly," said Laurie Williams of the Clinton County Health Department.
"There's a popular concept out there that roadways are built for cars, but they're not. They're shared roadways for cars, walkers and bikers."
That concept is much more visible today than it was just a few years ago, when the only pedestrian support could be found at crosswalks, Williams explained.
Now, visual cues are placed along both city and rural roadways, reminding people that pedestrians and bikers are allowed on those roadways and that their safety must be protected.
"We're seeing a cultural shift to allow pedestrians the right of way," Williams said.
SENIOR SURVEY
The concept to study habits along the region's streets and sidewalks is not new. The county's Office for the Aging conducted a survey earlier this year to analyze the impact roadways had on senior pedestrians.
"We had five teams of volunteers out on the streets to do the survey," said Crystal Carter, executive director for the local branch of the Office for the Aging.
"We went to exercise groups, people who were outside walking regularly. We wanted to look at these intersections from the viewpoint of older pedestrians."
The volunteers assessed such issues as the amount of time that traffic signals allow for pedestrians to cross streets and what type of lighting is available at intersections utilized by seniors.
"A lot of people seem to think there's not a problem with getting across an intersection, but what if it's an older person who needs a little more time," Williams noted.
"We need to think about everyone who has access to our streets and sidewalks."
RURAL CONCERNS
Much of the concern in rural areas focuses on the lack of pedestrian access, areas where sidewalks don't exist or where roadways do not have sufficient shoulder space to allow pedestrians to safely walk alongside the road.
"In rural areas, where people rely on public transportation, there are places where there's not a safe way to get to the bus stop," Carter said.
"The information we collect from the Sidewalks and Streets Survey can help us promote awareness and move forward."
PROMOTING HEALTH
The surveys can also help provide municipalities with guidance in developing pedestrian-friendly roadways as they work on projects in their communities.
"This is all part of the Master Plan to reduce chronic disease in the community," Williams said of the county's efforts to bring together several agencies to promote healthy lifestyles for all residents.
"Sidewalks and Streets is one way we can improve access to the various recreational activities that are available throughout our communities."
The Plattsburgh State students will help to train volunteers interested in visiting the 10 areas targeted in the upcoming survey.
E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
