SALEM – Mayor Dominick Pangallo of Salem, has been selected to join the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety. The Mayors Innovation Project, in partnership with AARP Livable Communities and Smart Growth America, selected 10 mayors to join this year’s cohort based on their demonstrated vision and dedication to pedestrian safety.
“I am proud to join the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety, reaffirming our dedication to creating safe and
accessible streets here in Salem,” stated Mayor Pangallo. “I am committed to strengthening Salem’s efforts towards safer streets and prioritizing the well-being of all pedestrians. It is crucial for every member of our community to navigate our roads safely, whether by car, bicycle, or on foot. Together, we will strive to build more walkable and vibrant communities.”
The Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety works alongside mayors to develop their knowledge and skillset to champion safer communities for people of all ages. Over the next six months, MIPS members will meet virtually and in person with national experts and each other to share experiences and identify solutions to their pedestrian safety challenges.
“We are so excited to work with the group of mayors participating in the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety this year,” said Beth Osborne, Director of Transportation for America, Smart Growth America’s transportation arm. “Mayors are essential to making our communities more livable and walkable. We hope to provide them the tools and best practices they need to improve safety for pedestrians and provide people more opportunities for active living, whether they are children walking to school or adults walking to work or the grocery store.”
The City of Salem is in the process of developing a strategic and comprehensive Action Plan aimed at improving pedestrian safety and preventing and reducing roadway fatalities and injuries. Over recent years, Salem has been awarded several grants focused on safety-related roadway improvements across the city. Additionally, utilizing SeeClickFix and Salem 311, the Department of Public Services has gathered numerous repair requests from throughout the community, and the City is launching a citywide sidewalk repair project. The upcoming plan aims to enhance sidewalk safety and accessibility for pedestrians throughout Salem.
Pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise for nearly a decade in the United States. According to a recent study by the Governors Highway Safety Association, on average 20 people are killed by a moving vehicle every day. The elderly and minority groups, particularly Native/Indigenous and Black populations, are disproportionately impacted by pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
“The continuation of this work in 2024 marks a big step forward in accelerating city leadership on traffic safety across the country,” said Katya Spear, Managing Director of the Mayors Innovation Project. “These mayors have demonstrated their commitment to advancing pedestrian safety and we are excited to work with them to support and expand their leadership on this critical issue.”
In addition to Mayor Pangallo, the national cohort includes:
- Mayor Scott Conger, Jackson, TN
- Mayor Tim Kelly, Chattanooga, TN
- Mayor Quinton Lucas, Kansas City, MO
- Mayor Lauren McLean, Boise, ID
- Mayor Sean Shultz, Carlisle, PA
- Mayor Ryan Sorenson, Sheboygan, WI
- Mayor Matt Tuerk, Allentown, PA
- Mayor John Vieau, Chicopee, MA
- Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, Culver City, CA
ABOUT THE MAYORS INNOVATION PROJECT
The Mayors Innovation Project is a national learning network for mayors committed to shared prosperity, environmental sustainability, and efficient democratic government. We offer high-quality content that emphasizes innovative, actionable solutions and prioritizes peer exchange.
ABOUT SMART GROWTH AMERICA
Smart Growth America helps create healthy, prosperous, and resilient places to live for all people through research, advocacy, and direct community support. Our work spans housing and land use, transportation, and economic development to find solutions to communities’ most pressing needs. We work with elected officials at all levels, real estate developers, chambers of commerce, transportation, urban planning professionals, and residents to improve everyday life for people across the country through better development.
