Pedestrians

Gulf Coast residents and visitors want to walk and bike.  It allows them to be active while enjoying the Gulf Coast’s natural scenery.  Walking and biking also offer social benefits.  The informal interaction that occurs allows people to develop connections and a heightened sense of involvement in their surroundings. Walking and biking are ways for people get exercise and access daily needs if conditions are adequate. Safety is a pedestrian’s biggest concern.

As we develop the transportation system on the Gulf Coast, we must take into consideration the mobility and accessibility of pedestrians. The Gulf Coast’s Local Road Safety Plan, developed through a partnership between the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Gulf Regional Planning Commission (GRPC) addresses pedestrian safety concerns and makes recommendations for projects to improve pedestrian safety including:

• Improve roadway lighting.
• Construct new or extend/connect existing sidewalks.
• Refresh crosswalk pavement markings.
• Break up continuous turn lanes with raised medians for pedestrian refuge or provide mid block crossing islands.
• Evaluate the feasibility of a road diet.
• Install pedestrian warning signs in high pedestrian traffic areas.
• Reduce speeds along roadways where aggressive driving is reported.
• Construct multi-use pathways to separate pedestrian and bicycle traffic from vehicles.