Pedestrian Safety Planning in America's Heartland 

June 17, 2026 at 3:00 pm ET

Presenters: 

Pedestrian fatalities have recently reached a concerning 30-year high. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a recent high-profile pedestrian fatality prompted City staff to embark upon a safety-focused update to the community’s Pedestrian Plan. Based on a 10-year analysis of crashes (including 9 fatalities and 36 severe injuries), the data showed crashes were occurring on the city’s fastest, widest, and busiest roads. Most severe injury crashes also took place on streets where pedestrian demand was high. The previous Pedestrian Plan focused primarily on filling sidewalk gaps in neighborhoods where staff received public requests. The updated Pedestrian Plan focuses on sidewalks and other safety countermeasures (i.e., lower speed limits, visible crosswalks, and refuge islands) on the highest risk roads. Participants in this webinar will learn how the data analysis team completed their work and kept the focus on reducing fatal and severe injury crashes. We’ll review a series of maps that illustrate the pedestrian safety problem, showing how this effort can be completed in communities around the country. City staff will also share how the updated Pedestrian Plan is being implemented.