The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with Streetsmart, a nonprofit organization in Oregon, USA that is developing an evidence-based transportation tool to better integrate health into engineering practice. Currently in prototype form, this online tool will help better integrate a wide range of environmental and livability concerns, including health, into engineering and planning practice.
Streetsmart Executive Director Kelly Rodgers explains, "The relationship between certain transportation strategies, such as traffic calming, and the goals we have for our communities, such as improved safety and health, have been described and documented in the research literature. However, this information isn't readily accessible to those who need it: planners, engineers, elected officials, and the communities they serve. As an interactive web-based tool, Streetsmart illuminates these relationships in a visually rich and compelling way using the best evidence available, making data that were generally inaccessible more actionable."
"This tool will help ITE members advance the goals of our Transportation and Health initiative," said Jeffrey Paniati, ITE Executive Director and CEO. "Helping our members and the greater transportation community make meaningful connections between transportation practice and the health of all transportation system users is of great importance. We're excited to be working with Kelly Rodgers and her team at Streetsmart to effectively publicize this information to the groups that need it most."
ITE will assist with the review and translation of research results, form and support one or more potential user focus groups, recruit pilot agencies and manage pilot projects, support applications for funding, and connect ITE member transportation professionals to the availability and usefulness of the tool.
About Streetsmart
Streetsmart, an incorporated nonprofit organization, gives you the evidence and insight you need to prioritize, defend, and decide what transportation solutions works best in your community. Our proof-of-concept prototype is ready for your feedback. We're building partnerships and pursuing research projects to build the beta version of Streetsmart. To learn more, visit http://welcome.thinkstreetsmart.org .
About ITE
Founded in 1930, ITE is a community of transportation professionals including, transportation engineers, transportation planners, consultants, educators, technologists, and researchers. Through meetings, seminars, publications, and a network of more than 15,000 members working in more than 90 countries, ITE is your source for expertise, knowledge, and ideas. Learn more at www.ite.org. |
