Safe Communities - Injury Prevention Programs

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Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian Safety

 

Motor Vehicles and Transit Operations

Motor vehicle accidents have been identified as a risk area for university personnel. To address the growing concern of driver safety, the university implemented a policy for the use of university vehicles.

Safety issues regarding transit operations have also been addressed. Drivers attend bi-annual training to maintain sharp skills and stay up to date on policies and procedures. Topics frequently cover safety issues, such as pedestrian safety, safe driving practices or procedures to follow in the event of an accident. Drivers are required to inspect their vehicles for proper operation before they begin their runs for the day. Problems are reported to the mechanic for resolution and other equipment may be assigned depending on the nature of the problem.

A Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring safe practices are followed in the maintenance shop. He is also responsible for evaluating and training drivers. The Safety Officer conducts 15 passenger van training for the University. WKU Employees who need to drive 15 passenger vans are required to complete this training before they are allowed to operate the vehicles.

Parking and Transportation Services also operates a late night, "Purple Line" bus, which is designed to reduce drinking and driving.

 

Parking Operations

Effective maintenance ensures durable, even surfaces in parking lots and proper operation of equipment. Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) coordinates with the Department of Facilities Management to seal asphalt parking lots on a rotating five year schedule. Parking structures are regularly swept and inspected for safety hazards. Signs and striping are updated as needed. A Parking Lot Condition Analysis is conducted annually to identify and prioritize parking lot renovation projects.

Parking and Transportation Services is responsible for enforcement of parking regulations on campus, including safety violations such as fire lanes, crosswalks, or yellow zones. Enforcing safety related parking regulations promotes safety by improving sight distances, maintaining clear driving lanes and clear access to fire safety equipment. We also enforce the bicycle parking regulations, particularly near building egresses and handrails where bicycle parking impedes pedestrian flow. Enforcement officers also act as an "extra set of eyes and ears" on campus. They report hazards they observe and may assist customers in need. We also barricade unsafe areas or work zones.

Parking and Transportation Services works closely with the WKU Police Department to ensure campus safety. WKU PD monitors our departmental radio traffic and responds to emergencies directly. PTS publishes the number of the police Escort Service on our parking permits. We work collaboratively to develop traffic and pedestrian control for special events.

  

Pedestrian Safety

Our Planning, Design, and Construction Department works with several stakeholders to identify and mitigate pedestrian/ vehicle conflicts. Safety improvements include accessible curb ramps, enhanced pedestrian call buttons, traffic calming measures such as speed limit reductions and bike lanes, and greater visibility at crosswalks with paint, signage and lighting.

Several campus departments evaluate trip hazards periodically to identify and address sidewalk or stairway trip hazards. Such hazards are evaluated on a case- by-case basis, and addressed immediately, or scheduled for summer repair/replacement.