Pedestrian Road Safety Initiative

The Pedestrian Road Safety Initiative (PRSI) Program is funded through the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). PRSI is included in the Tennessee Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) under the Vulnerable Users Emphasis Area. 

PRSI Goal: Create safer roadways for pedestrians.

PRSI Objectives: Reduce the number of fatal and severe pedestrian crashes by identifying safety concerns and implementing countermeasures consistent with FHWA’s Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System (PEDSAFE) and FHWA's Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian Program (STEP).

For information on the Pedestrian Road Safety Initiative (PRSI) Program, please email TDOT.MultimodalPlanning@tn.gov or contact Daniel McDonell (615-741-5025 | Daniel.McDonell@tn.gov).

TDOT's First Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)
During the PRSI project on W Trinity Ln. in Nashville, TN TDOT installed its first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist crashes in the area. This image shows the PHB when it is not activated and drivers are allowed to pass through. When a pedestrian activates the push button on either end, the lights become solid yellow, then solid red until the walking phase is finished. When the walking phase is finished, the lights will flash red instructing drivers to yield to pedestrians and proceed with caution. Photo Credit: Will Rogers III

Multimodal Priority Tool

The selection of new PRSI projects is based on the Multimodal Priority Tool, rebuilt in 2023. The tool highlights census block groups and roadways with high rates of fatal and severe pedestrian and bicyclist crashes and incorporates other data like equity demographics, crash risk of the roadway (Level of Traffic Stress), and demand for walking, biking and micromobility in the area. For questions on the methodology, email William.Rogers@tn.gov

Public Engagement

When the top 20 locations are selected, input from both internal and external stakeholders are used to narrow the selection down to 10.  During the kick-off meetings, local stakeholders such as city and regional planners/engineers, and non-profit/advocacy groups are invited to give local insight to safety issues.

Active PRSI Projects (Updated March 2024)

See table below for a list of active PRSI projects. 9 new PRSI projects selected in Jan 2024 are included. These all start with "135" in the PIN column.

Region County PIN SR Termini/Location Column1