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FHWA Safety: First graphic from left courtesy of (http://www.pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)
Home > Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety > Pedestrian Safety > A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities > Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Who can help me make my neighborhood a safer place to walk?

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Step 3: Identify the department or agency responsible for making improvements

Resource Sheet 4: Local Sources of Information Worksheet will help you identify and organize sources of information within your community.

Possible Questions to Ask Public Agencies:

  • Who is responsible for the road I'm concerned about?
  • Are other authorities involved (for example, transit, utility, law enforcement, or emergency medical service providers)?
  • Who are the responsible staff within the agency that can address my concern?
  • Does the agency have a pedestrian coordinator?
  • What is the agency's public involvement process (for example, is it during the project planning phase, through pedestrian/bicycle coordinators or advisory boards, at public meetings, through email/phone)?
  • Does the agency have a pedestrian plan in place?
  • Are there any policies related to pedestrian facilities and safety?

It is important to figure out which department or agency is responsible for maintaining the roads in your community. In the U.S., some roads are controlled and maintained by the state (roads with state route numbers), while others are under the jurisdiction of counties, cities, or towns. Still others are privately owned and maintained. Your local planning or transportation department should be able to tell you who owns and maintains the road in question.

Decisions about roadway improvements and programs on public streets are made by the agencies that have jurisdiction over them. Below are descriptions of the typical roles of agencies to help you determine who may be responsible for addressing the pedestrian safety concerns you've identified on your roadways.

  • Local transportation agencies—Your local transportation agency (could be called public works, transportation, traffic, or street department or a public utility district [PUD]) is usually responsible for maintaining and operating local public streets and trails and developing plans for improvements.
  • Regional transportation agencies/metropolitan planning agencies (MPOs)—Regional transportation agencies and MPOs represent one or more communities in a geographical region. These groups are typically responsible for developing and implementing long-term transportation plans, programs, and projects for the region.
  • State departments of transportation—State departments of transportation (or highway departments) are often responsible for planning/designing, constructing, and monitoring improvements on state roadways (including sidewalks, crosswalks, and signals). Often these state roadways pass through local communities.
  • Transit agencies—Transit agencies are responsible for providing bus service to the local community. The agency plans bus routes, operates service, selects preferred locations for bus stops, and maintains the stops. The agency must work with the owner of the roadway (often a state or local agency or private entity) to install the bus stops and any associated amenities.
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