Auburn University Transportation Research Institute partners with Selma to address traffic concerns
Published: Dec 3, 2024 1:00 PM
By Dustin Duncan
Since 2018, 13 pedestrians have been struck by vehicles on U.S. 80 in Selma, resulting in three fatalities, the most recent occurring on Sept. 24.
The Alabama Transportation Assistance Program (ATAP), part of the Auburn University Transportation Research Institute (AUTRI), is partnering with the city of Selma to address safety concerns across the city, with a particular focus along the Highland Avenue corridor.
Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. said the city’s pedestrian crash rate is nearly three times the state average.
“While pedestrian crashes are increasing nationwide, Selma’s situation is particularly critical,” he said. “Two years ago, we learned that the city’s pedestrian crash rate was three and a half times the state average. Over the past two years, we have continued to upgrade crosswalks and sidewalks as funding has allowed. Today, our pedestrian crash rate has improved from 3.5 times the state average to 2.9. However, last week’s death underscores the need for further action.”
Rod Turochy, associate director of outreach for AUTRI, said ATAP had been working with Selma to address traffic safety concerns for several months prior to the latest incident. Selma participated in ATAP’s U.S. Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant titled “Step Up Alabama,” which included community engagement, planning, and design of pedestrian facility improvement projects.
While the RAISE grant did not address U.S. 80, Turochy said the relationship with Selma was already established. Now, ATAP is assisting by developing a safety action plan, a document created in collaboration with the community—officials and residents—to address traffic safety issues.
“It is driven in part by the data collected, but community input is also important because residents may observe issues and have experiences that do not necessarily appear in the data,” Turochy said.
The collaboration with Selma falls under the Safety Technical Assistance for Counties and Cities (STACC) program. STACC provides technical support, training, and other resources to Alabama counties and cities to help reduce fatalities and injuries on local roads. The program is funded by the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Turochy said ATAP would help develop a plan that could include infrastructure upgrades, such as sidewalks, but could also involve public relations campaigns or public service announcements to raise awareness of specific issues. Additionally, the plan will provide guidance on applying for state and federal funding.
“We want to arm them with as many resources as possible to apply for funding,” Turochy said. “It also helps build institutional knowledge on how to apply for such funding in the future when it’s needed for other projects.”
Media Contact: , dzd0065@auburn.edu, 334-844-2326
Pictured is the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma on U.S. 80. The Alabama Transportation Assistance Program (ATAP), part of the Auburn University Transportation Research Institute (AUTRI), is partnering with the city of Selma to address safety concerns across the city, with a particular focus along the Highland Avenue corridor.
