By WKTV Staff
The City of Kentwood is inviting residents and other community members to share feedback on pedestrian crossings throughout the city as part of a crosswalk study.
Anyone who uses crosswalks in the city is encouraged to share feedback on which crosswalks should be evaluated through an online form due by Feb. 21.
According to an announcement by the city, the input will help the city evaluate and improve pedestrian crossings to ensure they are safe and accessible for all users.
“Community engagement is critically important to our work around pedestrian safety and accessibility,” Terry Schweitzer, Kentwood community development director, said in supplied material. “We want to hear from individuals who use our crosswalks so we can identify which ones need attention and make improvements to them. The survey is really simple and takes only a few minutes.”
Individuals who want to take the survey in a different language other than English are encouraged to call the City Clerk’s Office at 616-698-9610 for assistance. Printed surveys are also available at City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, and Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave SE.
All responses will remain confidential.
The survey offers participants the opportunity to identify a location of a crosswalk on a map, select concerns from a drop-down menu and share more information in a comment box.
The categories which will be surveyed and evaluated include:
Accessibility — Does the crosswalk accommodate individuals with disabilities who may use mobility devices such as a wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.?
Sidewalk or pavement condition — Does the physical sidewalk or roadway pavement need to be repaired or is there a lack of sidewalk on both sides of the road?
Visibility — Can a person using the crossing see oncoming vehicle traffic easily from the sidewalk?
Lighting — Does the location need lighting for nighttime walkers to use the crossing or be seen?
Signage — Does the location lack appropriate signs such as pedestrian warning and crossing signs?
Pavement markings — Is the crosswalk marked and easy to see?
Crosswalk Needed — Is a new crosswalk needed at a specific location?
For more information about the survey, visit here.
