The city of Columbus has been working to install flashing lighted signals at three pedestrian crossings so they could be operational for the start of schools today. Safety of all pedestrians is important, and these safer crossings represent the next step in a project that began four years ago.
In 2012, Taylor Chitty, then a student at Columbus East High School, focused her senior project on creating safer crossing environments for student pedestrians. Her motivation was a personal incident in June 2011.
Chitty was attempting to cross Marr Road to access the school’s athletics facilities by Clifty Park when she was struck by a vehicle that ran over both her legs. Chitty suffered severe tire and road burns and was bedridden for a month.
Her work with the city engineer resulted in Columbus receiving a Federal Highway Administration grant of $487,500 to improve four city crossings.
The final three are at River Road near Royal Street, 27th and California streets, and Home Avenue near Columbus North High School.
Chitty was deserving of the “Taylor Chitty Pedestrian Safety Improvement Day” accolade bestowed on her July 19 by Mayor Jim Lienhoop for her efforts. She showed the significance of senior projects and the impact they can have, and has raised awareness of the need for greater pedestrian safety in the city.
Her efforts are greatly appreciated and extremely beneficial to residents.
