McLean County Times

Illinois State University and the Town of Normal have announced a joint effort to address transportation safety on and around the ISU campus. The Pedestrian & Roadway Campus Safety Initiative was launched in response to recent crashes and growing concerns about pedestrian and roadway safety.

The initiative is led by Illinois State University, the Town of Normal, transportation planning firm TY Lin, and community engagement firm All Together. According to Ryan Otto, director of Engineering & Public Works for the Town of Normal, “The safety of students, faculty and community members is a top priority. This collaborative process will ensure community input is at the forefront of the planning process as we develop data-driven safety improvements.”

The program will focus on several main areas: using data-driven strategies to improve safety; encouraging shared responsibility among all road users including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers; educating people about safely navigating shared spaces; ongoing infrastructure improvements with partners such as the Illinois Department of Transportation; and promoting active transportation options like walking and biking.

Community involvement is a key component. Residents, students, faculty, and commuters are invited to complete a survey sharing their experiences with campus safety. In-person engagement events will be held on April 14 and April 30 to gather student feedback directly on campus.

Adam McCrary, director of Environmental Health and Safety at Illinois State University, said, “The success of this initiative depends on the voices of those who live, study and work in the community. We urge people to take the survey and want students to visit the on-campus sites to share feedback. Working with the Town of Normal and community partners, we can create long-term safety solutions that improve mobility and reduce risks for everyone.”

Following assessment of current conditions and public feedback, pilot projects will be implemented at locations identified as high-risk. These projects will use real-time data for monitoring their effectiveness before informing future long-term improvements.

More information about the initiative—including ways to participate—can be found at normalil.gov/CampusSafety.