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HSRC News Briefs

HSRC publishes 2013 Annual Report

Are you interested in what HSRC has accomplished in the past fiscal year? Here's a snapshot: HSRC released more than 50 publications and presentations on a variety of topics, expanded its practitioner trainings and professional development opportunities, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Click It or Ticket enforcement and outreach program, and created a research-based smartphone app designed to support parents while their teens move through the learner stage of the graduated driver licensing process.

Read more in the 2013 Annual Report available on our website, www.hsrc.unc.edu.



PedBikeInfo.org: New website streamlines walking and biking information

In January 2014, PBIC streamlined and consolidated its websites under one URL - www.pedbikeinfo.org. The new site merges content from walkinginfo.org and bicyclinginfo.org into one, user-friendly site. All of the same great information is still there, the content has just been reorganized to make it easier for all users to access, and the site functionality is improved through a new navigation system. PBIC is the most comprehensive clearinghouse for pedestrian and bicycle issues, and the Center is pleased to unveil this new and improved resource to users across the country.



"Cycle Tracks" bicycle facilities project takes off at HSRC

A new HSRC project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, will analyze the safety of and design considerations necessary for cycle tracks – bicycle facilities that run alongside roadways, typically separated from automobile traffic by a physical barrier such as parked cars, bollards, landscaping or curbs. HSRC is leading a team that includes Sam Schwartz Engineering, Kittelson and Associates, Inc., and consultants Bob Schneider and Bill Hunter, to provide a robust assessment of crash data for operational cycle tracks in the U.S. By evaluating the range of design options, safety studies, and qualitative input from practitioners, this project will also inform the planning, design and safety outcomes of future cycle tracks development.

A Technical Working Group for the project met in November and January, with representatives from cities, state departments of transportation, municipal planning organizations, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the National Association of City Transportation Officials, and the League of American Bicyclists' Equity Initiative. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2014.



PBIC-designed course material for university students now available

PBIC released a three-part course on pedestrian and bicycle planning and design aimed at students studying basic civil engineering and/or transportation programs. The classes are ideally suited to be integrated into an existing course, such as Traffic Engineering 101. The course development was pilot tested in partnership with professors at Auburn University. Materials can be requested at: www.walkinginfo.org/training/university-courses.



HSRC publications and presentations

HSRC researchers and staff regularly publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present research results at professional meetings and trade conferences in the fields of transportation, safety, research, and public health. To view our most recent publications, click here.



HSRC in the News

The following is a highlight of recent media stories that include information and research from the Center. Web links to the following news stories are time sensitive, so some stories might not be accessible after the initial publication date without required registration. To access more archived news media, please visit www.hsrc.unc.edu/news_room/archived_news.cfm.

Storm’s silver lining: Death rate drops in wintry car crashes
NBC News
Jan. 21, 2014

Group wants crackdown on traffic scofflaws
The Durham News
Jan. 3, 2014

Vermont says ‘tis the season’ to hike texting fines
VermontWatchdog.org
Dec. 19, 2013

Traffic fatalities rise; trend likely to continue
WUNC
Dec. 9, 2013

After years of decline, motor vehicle deaths rise in NC
News & Observer
Dec. 6, 2013

Nosy driver in the next SUV? It may be a cop watching you text
WVTF Public Radio
Dec. 6, 2013

Study: Americans’ drop in driving not economic-driven
USA Today
Dec. 4, 2013

Keeping teen drivers’ eyes off cellphones and on the road
Philly.com
Dec. 3, 2013

Carrboro resident advocates for pedestrian safety
Daily Tar Heel
Dec. 2, 2013

City earns ‘walk friendly’ designation
LaCrosse Tribune
Nov. 13, 2013

More Teens Forego Driver’s Licenses
WUNC
Nov. 12, 2013

Sitka becomes first town in Alaska to earn bronze-level Walk Friendly Communities designation
WalkSitka
Oct. 29, 2013



The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center
730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite 300  |  Campus Box 3430  |  Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3430
Phone: 919.962.2203  |  Fax: 919.962.8710
http://www.hsrc.unc.edu