A steering committee of 50 campus and community representatives gathered for the first meeting of the Safe Streets for Buckeyes planning study, a yearlong effort aimed at improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable roadway users on and around campus. The project is a joint effort being led by Planning, Architecture and Real Estate (PARE) and Facilities Operations and Development (FOD).
The committee includes faculty, staff and students from Ohio State, along with partners from the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and Upper Arlington. Members will provide input and guidance throughout the planning process.
Safe Streets for Buckeyes will analyze campus and surrounding streets using the Safe Systems Approach. The framework is built on six key principles: roadway deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared, safety is proactive and redundancy is crucial.
The study will identify priority projects and strategies to improve safety. Recommendations may include infrastructure improvements such as new bike lanes, enhanced crosswalks and other roadway upgrades, as well as educational initiatives and policy recommendations.
“The steering committee brings together a diverse group of people who experience and interact with our transportation network in different ways,” said Rebekah Gayley, assistant director of facility planning for PARE. “Their perspectives will help us identify meaningful opportunities to improve safety and create a more connected, accessible campus environment for everyone.”
The project team will engage the broader campus community throughout the study through a variety of outreach opportunities, including campus pop-up events, surveys and focus groups with student organizations. Community members will be invited to share how they travel around campus and identify areas that may need additional attention.
For more information about the project or opportunities to participate, send an email to ap-framework@osu.edu.