The University of Connecticut and the Town of Mansfield undertook a large traffic, pedestrian, bicycle and scooter safety study in and around UConn’s campus during the week of Oct. 26, according to the UConn Student Daily Digest.
University Spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said this study was conducted as part of the Safe Streets and Roads for UConn project, which builds upon the university’s Active Transportation Plan that took place in 2022.
According to its website, the project works to strengthen the university’s focus on transportation safety.
“The UConn Storrs Campus is a dynamic place where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are constantly on the move,” according to the website. “In many ways a small city, campus invites pedestrians, cyclists, bus riders, drivers, and other travelers into a complex transportation network, but this complexity introduces opportunities for conflict, near misses, and crashes.”
According to the Daily Digest, data was collected through the use of video camera equipment.
Reitz said the count cameras, which recorded multimodal traffic volumes, were located at intersections, crosswalks and paths in and around UConn’s campus.
The data was used to quantify the number of roadway and path users during different time periods, Retiz said.
Reitz said the camera footage is “generally anonymized.” She said because of the camera’s low resolution, identifying features — like faces and license plates — are “typically not observable.”
Reitz said the information gathered will help the university and its consultants better understand traffic patterns and will enable them to identify where future infrastructure development and improvements are most needed.
According to its website, the project includes four primary elements: a comprehensive safety action plan, development of a comprehensive mobility mode, a road conversion assessment and sidewalk inventory and accessibility assessment.
UConn established a steering committee to work alongside its transportation consultant, SLR Consulting, in the development and long-term implementation of the project, according to the project’s website.
According to the website, the committee is made up of representatives from several university departments, Town of Mansfield officials and regional partners.
The study is being funded by UConn, the State of Connecticut and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Reitz said.
She said the project works to make routes “safer, more efficient, and sustainable.”
“Making travel safer for everyone helps create a more welcoming campus and community,” according to the project’s website.
Reitz said the university has yet to review the count data or footage, but she said the counts will be available to the public.