Efforts underway to improve campus pedestrian safety

Last month, bright orange flags flapped above newly installed stop signs along Forest Park Road, alerting the UT Southwestern community of improvements to make the road safer.

For a long time, Forest Park has been known for its awkward driveways and hills that restricted sight distance. The Facilities Management team knew something needed to change.

“Our priority was to improve pedestrian safety along Forest Park and also to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular traffic through this corridor,” said Juan Guerra, Vice President of Facilities Management. “As part of these efforts, we completed a traffic study of the Forest Park corridor between Inwood Road and Mockingbird Lane to identify opportunities to improve safety for people walking along and across Forest Park or biking in this corridor.”

The team used the results of the traffic study to successfully petition the city of Dallas to change the Forest Park intersections at Bomar Avenue and Stutz Road to all-way stops.

“This change alone will dramatically improve pedestrian safety in the corridor,” Mr. Guerra said. But the changes won’t stop there.

“We intend to enhance the crosswalks at these intersections and add a couple of additional crosswalks with pedestrian-activated flashing beacons,” he added. “We also plan to eliminate the two existing driveways near Stutz and create a single driveway that is aligned with Stutz to improve traffic mobility through this intersection.”

Specifically, the team is working on a long-term solution for the North Campus parking garage entrance on Forest Park that will align the driveways with Stutz and create a symmetrical four-way intersection. This will provide an all-way stop for drivers moving through that intersection and eliminate the confusion created by offset driveways. The team also is awaiting approval from the city on plans to install additional crosswalks on Forest Park. Work on that crosswalk is anticipated to begin later this spring, and on the driveway modifications later this summer.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and assistance as we move forward with these improvements,” Mr. Guerra said.

Additionally, anticipated to begin in mid-April, new pedestrian and site improvements will be implemented at the northeast corner of Redfield Street and Inwood (near the main entrance to the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center). Work will consist of installing a new curb and sidewalk to make the corner consistent with the adjacent sidewalks. This project will require a lane and sidewalk closure on Inwood and Redfield with a city of Dallas-approved plan.

Crosswalk safety tips

UT Southwestern is committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and peaceful campus, which depends on the combined efforts of University Police and everyone who works and studies on campus. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe while crossing the street.

Pedestrians

  • Always cross at marked crosswalks.
  • Stay alert and do not cross the street until you are given the right of way. Even if there are no visible vehicles nearby, one could quickly approach. Distracted drivers may not notice they need to stop until it’s too late.
  • Put away your cell phone. Never text or use your phone while walking across the street. Though you technically have the right of way, drivers can be unpredictable.

Bicyclists

  • Use marked bike paths or multi-use paths when available.
  • Obey traffic signals and laws on roadways.
  • Use extra caution as you transition between bike paths, roads, and sidewalks.

Drivers

  • Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.
  • Stay alert for bicyclists and pedestrians. Remember to slow down in areas with crosswalks.
  • Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are in the crosswalk or preparing to cross. Never pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at a crosswalk.

For more tips and information on campus safety programs, visit the Crime Prevention page at My UTSW, call the University Police Dispatch Office anytime at 214-648-8311, or email JaQuanna.Dye@UTSouthwestern.edu, Crime Prevention/Community Engagement Coordinator at UT Southwestern.