City of Worcester, MA
Public Invited to Join Walk Audits of Key Corridors in the City
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/6/2024 12:43 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester Department of Transportation & Mobility invites the public to participate in five interactive walk audits on key corridors that have been identified by the Vision Zero planning team as part of the city's high-injury network. Each of these corridors is a place where deaths and severe injuries in crashes occur at higher rates than other streets and will be a priority for the municipality’s attention in months ahead.
Members of the public are invited to join the walk audits on:
Sept. 9*
- 3 p.m., Belmont Street #1 - Belmont Street Community School to Converse Street/I-290 Ramp. Learn More and Register
- 5 p.m., Belmont Street #2 - Lake Avenue to Shrewsbury Street. Learn More and Register
- 6 p.m., Lincoln Street - Beverly Road to the Lincoln Street School crosswalk. Learn More and Register
Sept. 12** - Featuring Jeff Speck
- 3 p.m., Cambridge Street - Price Chopper entrance to S. Crystal Street. Learn More and Register
- 6 p.m., Park Avenue - May Street to Chandler Street. Learn More and Register
*Rain date: October 8
**Rain date: October 7
Walk audits are in-person walking assessment of the street design, sidewalk infrastructure, and other features related to pedestrian movement, safety, and access in the public environment. They are typically focused on a specific block, neighborhood, or other walkable, defined area. The walks are led by transportation planners, engineers, urban designers, or other leaders to help people view the pedestrian experience in a more detailed and objective way. People participating in the walk audit essentially become data collectors. They will answer questions like, "Why does this intersection feel unsafe to you?" or "Where is the sidewalk too narrow for people to walk safely?" By documenting qualitative and quantitative issues, walk audits can help raise awareness about areas that need to be addressed for safety and accessibility, and encourage walking/wheeling for all people, regardless of their level of mobility.