In the wake of a tragic incident earlier this month that claimed the life of a pedestrian on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus, the City of Pittsburgh’s Fatal Crash Response Team has proposed a series of safety improvements at several Oakland intersections. The victim, 37-year-old Jessie Maroney, succumbed to her injuries after being struck by a vehicle at the crossing of Terrace and Darragh Streets just before 5:45 a.m. on Dec. 5, as reported by WPXI.
Following a detailed examination of the crash site, the Fatal Crash Response Team set forth several measures to enhance pedestrian safety. These measures included round-the-clock stop-and-go signal operations to replace the flashing signals during overnight hours, the implementation of 'No Turn on Red' restrictions at all approaches to the intersection—actions which have already been completed this week—and the introduction of a three-second Leading Pedestrian Interval at pedestrian crossings. CBS News Pittsburgh reported that this interval gives pedestrians a head start before vehicular traffic is signaled to move.
The recommendations are part of a broader city effort through the Vision Zero program, which aims to make Pittsburgh's streets safer for non-motorized traffic participants. The changes are not just confined to the intersection of Terrace and Darragh streets. Similar adjustments, such as the three-second intervals for pedestrian crossings, have been implemented at neighboring intersections, including the crossing of Allequippa and Darragh Streets and the junction of O'Hara Street and Desoto Street.
