ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The University of New Mexico, with help from the University of North Carolina and Portland State, recently wrapped up a survey focused on pedestrian safety around crosswalks. It’s a study that’s been going on nationwide, looking at different types of crosswalks and their effectiveness, including here in Albuquerque.
“New Mexico has had the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country for the last eight years in a row,” UNM Civil Engineering Associate Professor Nick Ferenchak said. “So it’s a pressing issue here. We’re hoping through this research that we can provide some good recommendations for what does improve safety and make a difference.”
The nationwide study examined how far people are willing to walk to use a pedestrian crossing. Researchers looked at six to eight different crossings in different areas that recently had hawk signals installed over the last couple of years…