JagBytes

Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: College News

Media Credit: Marcos Dominguez Pedestrians precariously cross through heavy traffic on Michigan Street in October 2006.

Media Credit: Marcos Dominguez A pedestrian makes a much safer trip across Michigan Street in February 2008 thanks to a newly-improved crosswalk.

Media Credit: Marcos Dominguez A fence was constructed in August 2007 along Michigan Street so people leaving the parking lot would cross at the crosswalk.

With increasing enrollment and the construction of new dorms that house nearly 2,000 students on campus, more students are walking to class. Yet creating a pedestrian-friendly campus isn't easy, and IUPUI is experiencing more student drivers and heavier traffic.

"I think our most dangerous streets are Michigan and New York, because the speed limits are faster and it's a straight shot," said Marsha Ellett, IUPUI student affairs committee chair.

Student Amanda York remarked, "It's always a little scary crossing the street when there have been so many reports of people being hit by cars."

IUPUI recently launched the Pedestrian Safety Campaign. The campus has refurbished painted crosswalks, removed unnecessary crosswalks and installed flashing yellow lights and warning signs at several crosswalks, including ones on New York and Michigan streets.

The next step of the campaign is to place portable electronic speed signs on campus streets that will display the speeds of motorists to increase awareness of speed limits. After this has been completed, there will be increased traffic enforcement by the combined efforts of the IUPUI and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Departments.

At an IUPUI Faculty Council meeting, the Student Affairs Committee and the student government suggested a lower speed limit along Michigan and New York streets and automatic signals timed to allow longer pedestrian crossing times.

"We wanted the speed limit to be 30 if not lower, but this has to be decided by the city of Indianapolis," Ellett said.

"Some people do not slow down at all, which can be pretty intimidating when there are four lanes of traffic coming right at me," York said.

Lowering the speed limit on campus, however, could be a slow process. Ellett said that Vice Chancellor of Student Life Karen Whitney has proposed a town meeting with Indianapolis city officials, which would open the topic for discussion, but plans for the idea haven't been confirmed. Additionally, the city has a strong incentive to keep the speed limit set at 35 miles per hour.

"If the speed limit is 30 or below, campus will receive the money for tickets," Ellett said. "If it is 35 or above, the city receives the money."

York said, "My walk would be better if it looked a little nicer on the way to campus from the apartments and IUPUI would better their reputation as not just being a commuter campus if they made it a little nicer for those of us who already live here."

Ellett said IUPUI is doing what it can with the money available.

"They recently put up solar-powered flashing lights at some of the pedestrian crosswalks, which has made me feel safer," York said.

Ellett said she wants students to be aware of their own actions and promote campus safety.

"We have got to cross where we're supposed to and use the protections that we are given even if we're in a hurry," she said.

Contact Rachel Meacham at rnmeacha@iupui.edu.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools