In order to promote actions aimed at making the right to mobility in road safety conditions a reality for everyone, Aleatica Foundation for Road Safety joined the global campaign #CommitToAct – Mobility Snapshots promoted by the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety. This initiative seeks to promote safer crossings for pedestrians through the identification and improvement of critical points in major cities around the world.
Aleatica Foundation carried out a citizen activation at the intersection of Ingenieros Militares and Rodolfo Gaona, located near the Mexipuerto Cuatro Caminos on the border of Mexico City and the State of Mexico. This point, with a pedestrian flow of 2,114 people per hour, presents deficiencies in road infrastructure that put the safety of users at risk.
This activation was accompanied by a preliminary evaluation by experts from Fundación Aleatica. It obtained a rating of 2.7 on a maximum scale of 10, reflecting the urgent need to implement improvements. Among the most notable deficiencies were the following:
- Accessibility: The intersection does not have adequate ramps for people with disabilities, which limits their access and mobility. The sidewalks are obstructed by obsolete street furniture and the occupation of informal commerce.
- Visibility: The presence of obstacles such as trees and street stalls makes visibility difficult for both pedestrians and drivers. There is no lighting at night, which increases the risk of being run over.
- Design: The design of the crossing is not adequate for pedestrian flow, which generates confusion and increases the risk of being run over.
- Signage: The road signage is insufficient and not in good condition, making it difficult to understand the traffic indications.
- Traffic signals: The traffic light system is inefficient since it is not respected by vehicles and the lack of crosswalks increases the risk of collisions and run-overs.
It is important to mention that as part of the campaign promoted by Global Alliance, this evaluation will be sent for analysis to the experts of iRAP (International Road Assessment Program), who will process the information in light of their methodology and will rate with stars the intersection selected by Fundación Aleatica.
During the citizen activation, the foundation’s team gathered testimonies from pedestrians who daily pass through the intersection, who expressed their concern about the insecurity they experience.
“This place is very busy and most people don’t use the pedestrian bridge,” commented a young woman”, adding, “I feel unsafe every day when I pass by here”.
Another woman commented that “it is very unsafe (this crossing) because mainly cabs come in front and do not allow me to stand, much less cross. The pedestrian bridge is very high for the elderly”.
It is worth noting that, according to the Road Safety Monitor prepared by Aleatica Foundation, in Mexico, seven out of every 10 fatalities on the streets and highways correspond to vulnerable users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists). In 2022 alone, it was recorded that 5,641 pedestrians lost their lives while using the country’s roads.
Fernanda Espinosa, director of Aleatica Foundation said she hopes that “from Aleatica Foundation’s participation in #CommitToAct, the necessary improvements in the infrastructure of this crossing will be driven to ensure the safety of all mobility users.”
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