UNC Highway Safety Research Center Awarded Five Year $3.1M Cooperative Agreement for Federal Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
HSRC Wins Multiyear PBIC Cooperative Agreement through Competitive Proposal Process for Fourth Time
News Brief
October 3, 2016
CHAPEL HILL, NC — UNC-Chapel Hill will continue its work as a national leader in pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The UNC Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC) has been selected to administer the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to support the U.S. Department of Transportation's initiatives to promote integrated, convenient, and safe transportation systems for all road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
"HSRC has long been involved in pedestrian and bicyclist safety and mobility research - it remains a priority, and area of expertise, for our staff," says David Harkey, director of HSRC. "Key to our work in active transportation, especially through PBIC, is the need to look beyond our traditional audiences of transportation professionals and advocates and engage elected officials, business owners, law enforcement staff, and community groups in the effort to create safer transportation options."
HSRC has successfully managed the PBIC since it was first established in 1999. The HSRC team has cultivated relationships with thousands of transportation practitioners and stakeholders and proven itself as a trusted, reliable source of information on topics related to pedestrian and bicycle safety, access, mobility and integration.
The five year, $3.125 million cooperative agreement is funded by FHWA, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and began on Sept. 29, 2016. This is the fourth time HSRC has won a multiyear cooperative agreement to host the PBIC through a competitive proposal process.
Led by Dr. Laura Sandt, the current PBIC team brings together some of the nation's foremost experts to deliver top-notch training and technical assistance on pedestrian and bicycle related issues. Strong partnerships are key to the work; the HSRC team is joined by many industry leaders, including the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Governors Highway Safety Association, PeopleforBikes, Toole Design Group, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and others. Each of these organizations will bring unique and fresh perspectives to build upon the foundation of success that the Center has established and help accelerate PBIC activities moving forward.
"Cities, technologies, and mobility options are ever changing, creating new opportunities to improve conditions for walking and bicycling," says Dr. Sandt. "Our role at PBIC is to provide timely and meaningful data, statistics, research and technical assistance to help communities prepare for and address transportation issues as they build multimodal networks that are safe, accessible, and equitable for all road users. As we look to the future, we believe that the PBIC must continue to evolve, develop new partnerships, and use innovative ways to expand the reach and impact of its activities and outreach."
Stay tuned to the PBIC website, Facebook, and Twitter to learn more about PBIC news and project activities.
About PBIC
Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Learn more at www.pedbikeinfo.org.
About HSRC
The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center is working hard to help shape the field of transportation safety. HSRC is committed to excellence in sound research, and safety is the preeminent goal – every day and in every project staff undertakes. The Center's mission is to improve the safety, sustainability and efficiency of all surface transportation modes through a balanced, interdisciplinary program of research, evaluation, and information dissemination. Learn more at www.hsrc.unc.edu.
