Since launching its Student Walking Safety Initiative in 2018, United Way has partnered with local residents and organizations to improve walking routes for students at several community schools, including McKinley, Edison, Pfeiffer-Burleigh, Strong Vincent, and East Middle School. In 2022, Iroquois Elementary School was added to the initiative, further extending its reach and impact.
Thanks to a $230,000 PennDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) Grant, the initiative is now expanding to include Perry, Jefferson, Diehl, Grover Cleveland, and Harding Elementary Schools. This new phase of the project aims to enhance student safety and provide safer walking routes for even more families in Erie.
A Collaborative Effort for Safer Streets
This initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between United Way, Erie’s Public Schools, Gannon University, the Erie County Data Center, the Erie Blue Coats, and the City of Erie. Together, these organizations are working to create additional safer walking routes, implement prioritized safety improvements, and launch a citywide education and awareness campaign focused on pedestrian safety.
The project also aligns with the City of Erie’s Vision Zero pedestrian safety initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries in the city.
Addressing Safety with Data-Driven Solutions
Jacqueline Spry, Director of Planning & Neighborhood Resources for the City of Erie, highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving safety goals. She says over the past five years, 34 people have died from traffic crashes in Erie, and another 166 individuals have been severely injured.
"Getting to zero deaths and serious injuries among roadway users requires the commitment of multiple resources, plus collaboration and buy-in from all levels of government and the local community," says Spry. "We know that safety is a shared responsibility. In a parallel effort, we are proud to partner with United Way, Gannon University, and others to create data-driven solutions for safer walking routes to schools."
What's Next?
With safer walking routes now mapped, the next step is to work with stakeholders at the community schools to identify the safest walking paths and begin installing new signs. The initiative will continue once additional funding has been secured to complete these improvements. Safety enhancements in each school’s catchment area will be discussed with the city and incorporated into their Safer Streets for All planning grant and Vision Zero campaign.
By working together, these efforts aim to ensure that every student can safely walk to and from school, contributing to healthier and more connected communities.
