The Kansas City area is the most dangerous place for pedestrians in either Kansas or Missouri, according to a new report out today. The report – by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership and Transportation for America – showed Kansas City with the highest pedestrian danger index of any major metropolis in either state.The pedestrian danger index measures the rate of pedestrian deaths relative to the amount of walking residents do on average.With 47 pedestrian fatalities in 2007-08, the Kansas City area had a danger index of 84.6, higher than St. Louis at 76.9 or Wichita at 72.4. About 10.7 percent of traffic deaths in Kansas City were pedestrians, the report showed. The national average was 52.1Coincidentally, Kansas City police announced today that they were clamping down on crosswalk enforcement, ticketing both drivers and walkers. So far this year, 10 pedestrians have been killed in Kansas City another 165 have been hurt. The police crackdown runs today through Friday. According to today’s study, the Kansas City area averages 1.18 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people compared to St. Louis with a rate of 1.28 per 100,000. St. Louis, however, had a slightly larger percentage of people who walk to work than Kansas City.Overall, Kansas City ranked 20th overall nationwide in terms of the most dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians. Ranked No. 1 was Orlando, Fla., followed by Tampa/St. Petersburg, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Fla., Memphis, Raleigh, N.C., Louisville, Ky., Houston, Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta.The report ranked metropolitan areas with populations of more than 1 million people.The areas considered the most dangerous have low population densities with automobile-oriented development patterns that are considered hazardous for walking, according to the report’s authors.<hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> </div>

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Posted on Mon, Nov. 09, 2009 03:02 PM

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In Kansas City, you walk at your own risk

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The Kansas City area is the most dangerous place for pedestrians in either Kansas or Missouri, according to a new report out today.

The report – by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership and Transportation for America – showed Kansas City with the highest pedestrian danger index of any major metropolis in either state.

The pedestrian danger index measures the rate of pedestrian deaths relative to the amount of walking residents do on average.

With 47 pedestrian fatalities in 2007-08, the Kansas City area had a danger index of 84.6, higher than St. Louis at 76.9 or Wichita at 72.4. About 10.7 percent of traffic deaths in Kansas City were pedestrians, the report showed. The national average was 52.1

Coincidentally, Kansas City police announced today that they were clamping down on crosswalk enforcement, ticketing both drivers and walkers. So far this year, 10 pedestrians have been killed in Kansas City another 165 have been hurt. The police crackdown runs today through Friday.

According to today’s study, the Kansas City area averages 1.18 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people compared to St. Louis with a rate of 1.28 per 100,000. St. Louis, however, had a slightly larger percentage of people who walk to work than Kansas City.

Overall, Kansas City ranked 20th overall nationwide in terms of the most dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians. Ranked No. 1 was Orlando, Fla., followed by Tampa/St. Petersburg, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Fla., Memphis, Raleigh, N.C., Louisville, Ky., Houston, Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta.

The report ranked metropolitan areas with populations of more than 1 million people.

The areas considered the most dangerous have low population densities with automobile-oriented development patterns that are considered hazardous for walking, according to the report’s authors.

To reach Brad Cooper, call 816-234-7724 or send e-mail to bcooper@kcstar.com.

Posted on Mon, Nov. 09, 2009 03:02 PM

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