My Street (2021-2023)

Safety Department - VHB - Washington, D.C. Branch  

Role: Senior Planner

Project Description:

My Street is a sketch-level planning tool designed to enhance pedestrian safety by analyzing user-provided and pre-existing data to identify priority sites for improvement. It illustrates potential countermeasures for each site and shows how these enhancements impact pedestrian avatars who represent community members. The tool also generates an initial Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) for collaborative discussion among stakeholders interested in pedestrian safety. 

Work on Project:

• Created equity scoring rubric for avatars in planning application using equity and socio-economic data to identify populations that are historically disadvantaged and over-represented in fatal pedestrian crashes. Data was incorporated into the risk scoring used to identify and prioritize locations for review and to help create more safe and equitable outcomes for all pedestrians.*

• Worked with VHB senor staff and senior FHWA staff in refining and presenting application to funders and eventually launching to the public on FHWA website in 2023.

• Drafted manual for utilizing My Street and explanation of all data analysis including limitations.

*It is important to note that transportation equity does not mean equality. An equitable pedestrian safety action plan needs to consider the circumstances impacting a community's crossing and connectivity needs, which is combined with data analysis, to determine the best countermeasures and implementation strategies for each location and community.