III. Role of the Local Sponsor
As local sponsor of the Pedestrian Safety Road Show, you have several things for which you will be responsible. These responsibilities are critical to the success of the Road Show. The Check-List below summarizes your responsibilities. More detailed information is provided under each relevant section. (This section should be "pulled out" and filled in as activities progress.)
Local Sponsor Checklist
Do This
By This Date
Completed
Set date/time for Road Show (Section IV) 8 weeks before Road Show Arrange for Room/Equipment (Section IV) 6 weeks before Road Show Arrange meeting with Decision-makers (Mayor, City Manager, etc.) as a courtesy call by the Presentor, and include other key officials whose role will be important in achieving a more pedestrian friendly and walkable community. The Presentor will present a 15-20 minute overview of the Road Show stressing the benefits to the community. The objective is to create "buy-in" to the process and support for any actions arising out of the Road Show. In addition, the Presentor will solicit information from the decsion makers on what are the priorities of their community, what they would like to get accomplished out of the Roadshow, are there any "landmines" to be aware of, and generally any other major concerns for them. 6 weeks before Road Show Develop list of Invitees (Section V) 6 weeks before Road Show Mail invitations (Section V) 6 weeks before Road Show Follow-up with invitees to confirm participation (Section V) On-going
(4 week and 2 week)Return Local Data Questionnaire (Appendix A) 4 weeks before Road Show Arrange for at least 2 representatives of local enforcement, engineering, education or health agencies to make a brief presentations about their organization's involvement, focus, etc. in pedestrian safety (Section V) at the Road Show (not to exceed 5 minutes each - can use slides). This most likely will be done when the Presentor is introducing the pedestrian problem at the Road Show. The city/traffic engineer is recommended as one of the local presentors - this presentation should be accompanied by local slides. (Section VI) 4 weeks before Road Show Prepare slide presentation on local facilities for your presentation (city/traffic engineer and others) at the Road Show (Section VI). 4 weeks before Road Show Send list of local slides to Presentor - so she/he can become familiar with some of your problem areas. (ONLY do this if there is no local presentation.) 2 weeks before Road Show Collect clippings about local pedestrian crashes and if possible get the local TV station to provide news "clips" and invite some of these persons involved to show their experience (Notify Instructor Section VI) 2 weeks before Road Show Notify media about Road Show (Press, Television) 1 week before Road Show and day before Prepare and copy final agenda (See Sample in Appendix B). 1 week before Road Show Arrange for someone to take notes during the Road Show so that a record is kept of any decisions made. 1 week before Road Show Arrange for refreshments for breaks. 1 week before Road Show Check room lay-out and equipment (Section IV). 1 day before (or morning of) Road Show Take Presentor on tour of community. 1 or 2 days before Road Show Confirm date of second meeting. Within 1 week following Road Show Send Thank You's to all participants. Within 1 week following Road Show Follow-Up (Section VII) Within 1 week following Road Show Continue to work with participants to develop and implement an Action Plan. On-going as needed Seek Technical Assistance from the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Clearinghouse. On-going as needed
NOTE: The local sponsor should take a walk with some of the key players in the community and the media at least 6 weeks prior to hosting the Pedestrian Safety Road Show and look at the difficulties a pedestrian (including those who are physically disabled - blind, in a wheelchair, etc.) encounter. Even borrow a wheelchair from the local hospital and invite your group to take turns trying to get around. Observe motorist's behavior and willingness to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, their behavior when the volume of pedestrians is high, and the overall vehicle/pedestrian interaction. Also observe children's attitudes on and use of the road. Go into schools and talk to students about their problems on the road, and where. Talk to parents find out if they biked/walked as kids, and if their kids also bike/walk. If not find out why. Visit sites where numerous pedestrian related crashes occur.
Now, sit back and think: "Are the facilities safe and accessible for all pedestrians?" List the things you like. List the things you dislike. What changes can we bring about immediately? What changes can we start to plan for now? What vision do we see for our community? Who can make this happen? This is indeed a great day for your community - so take ACTION now!