HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

181

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting the department of transportation to develop a statewide strategic plan to promote pedestrian safety in hawaii.

 

 

WHEREAS, the right to travel by walking or otherwise, is a fundamental human right, the exercise of which in the developed environment of our communities requires responsibly designed public infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, although American society depends heavily on motor vehicle transportation and many transportation systems are focused on cars, pedestrians have the right to share public thoroughfare with motorists and other forms of transportation, such as bicycles and transit vehicles; and

WHEREAS, sidewalks and other pedestrian pathways benefit society by:

(1) Providing freedom to travel for all, regardless of age, disability, or income, and including those who cannot drive, cannot afford to drive, or choose not to drive;

(2) Providing a public right-of-way that is safe and accessible;

(3) Reducing vehicular traffic congestion, energy consumption, and pollution;

(4) Making our communities healthier, safer, and more pleasant places for residents and visitors to enjoy; and

(5) Increasing property values, access to jobs, and recreational opportunities;

and

WHEREAS, walking is an increasingly popular transportation option and recreational activity that would be greatly enhanced by well designed, continuous, connected sidewalks with safe crossings; and

WHEREAS, the failure to consider pedestrians in roadway planning has led to less pedestrian access, faster motor traffic, and greater distances between pedestrian destinations and, in turn, has lead to needless injury and death, as well as inconvenience, isolation, and pollution; and

WHEREAS, the failure to promptly and diligently build and maintain urgently needed pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and crosswalks, high-visibility warning devices, and traffic calming measures has needlessly prolonged dangerous situations for all pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has among the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in the nation, with the dubious distinction of having the highest fatality rate for pedestrians over the age of 65 and the 11th highest pedestrian fatality rate when considering all ages; and

WHEREAS, the predominance of the automobile in transportation planning has also led to the devaluation of walking as a normal means of transportation and has contributed to the high levels of physical inactivity and obesity we now face; and

WHEREAS, more than two–thirds of the American population is considered overweight or obese with over half of Hawaii's population considered to be overweight of obese; and

WHEREAS, increases in other illnesses such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and breast cancer can also be linked to a sedentary lifestyle; and

WHEREAS, these statistics are in stark contrast to Hawaii's image as an island paradise and healthy state; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to build better communities by providing and maintaining a continuous network of safe and accessible sidewalks, pathways, and crossings for pedestrians that are friendly to persons using wheelchairs, strollers, or other mobility devices; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has initiated a conscientious effort to develop a statewide pedestrian safety action plan (Pedestrian plan); and

WHEREAS, DOT is working towards a comprehensive transportation plan that includes pedestrians, and DOT recognizes that it is desirable to involve all key stakeholders to create a strong, cohesive, and integrated transportation plan; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that DOT is requested to complete a Pedestrian plan with the active participation of citizen advocacy groups in all aspects of the development, implementation, and evaluation of the plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing this Pedestrian plan, DOT is requested to take into consideration all other transportation safety planning efforts such as Bike Plan Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health, Department of Education, University of Hawaii Department of Urban and Regional Planning, American Association of Retired Persons, Walk Wise Hawaii, Hawaii Bicycling League, Peoples Advocacy Trails Hawaii, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, Na Kama Hele, American Planning Association-Hawaii Chapter, Sierra Club- Hawaii Chapter, and Kaho'omiki-Hawaii Physical Activity Council are requested to assist DOT in the development of the Pedestrian plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOT is requested to include any and all other stakeholders whose involvement DOT deems necessary or appropriate to the development of the Pedestrian plan; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOT is requested to submit to the Legislature a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Directors of Transportation and Health, Superintendent of Education, Chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the University of Hawaii, American Association of Retired Persons, Walk Wise Hawaii, Hawaii Bicycling League, Peoples Advocacy Trails Hawaii, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, Na Kama Hele, American Planning Association-Hawaii Chapter, Sierra Club-Hawaii Chapter, and Kaho'omiki-Hawaii Physical Activity Council.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Requesting the Department of Transportation to develop a statewide strategic plan to promote pedestrian safety in Hawaii.