In the past decade, Hawaii has been one of the leading states in pedestrian accidents, and between 2001-2005, the state had the 5th highest pedestrian fatality rate nationwide. The elderly are especially at risk for pedestrian fatalities—Hawaii leads the nation with a rate of 40.2 deaths per 100,000 people 65 years and older, nearly three times higher than the rest of the country.

The State Department of Transportation aims to decrease pedestrian injuries and fatalities statewide by addressing safer roadway facilities, pedestrian system improvements and law enforcement strategies through a Statewide Pedestrian Master Plan and a supporting toolbox of planning, design, operational, and educational guidelines. The master plan and toolbox will help to increase pedestrian safety and mobility, and support a multi-modal transportation system. It will also prioritize projects for implementation and provide guidance on the most effective use of federal, state and local resources. Transportation habits will also play a key role; the plan explores how residents who drive alone or carpool to work can improve the situation by taking public transit.

Otak has been supporting the Honolulu office of CH2M Hill in development of the master plan, and we are the principal authors of the comprehensive toolbox of best practices and guidelines. When completed, the toolbox will be applied to the diversity of settings across the state. Toolbox chapters under development cover areas such as pedestrian-friendly streets and communities; accessibility, sidewalks and walkways; intersections and crossings; pedestrian access to transit; shared use paths, children and school zones, special pedestrian districts and effective pedestrian programs.