Staff from WalkBoston joined officials from the Southeastern Regional Economic Development District (SRPEDD), Mass Department of Transportation (DOT, the Fall River Police Department and Traffic and Parking Office, and Fall River Mass In Motion for a two-hour walking audit of the pedestrian access in and around the Bedford and Robeson Street area on October 15, 2014. Following a brief introduction and review of the walk audit process, WalkBoston Program Director Stacey Beuttell led the group from the Boys and Girls Club down Bedford Street to the Robeson Street intersection and farther up Robeson Street to identify significant barriers and challenges to pedestrians walking in the area. The audit report will help to inform future infrastructure changes that will lead to safer and less challenging walking experiences. Click here for a 21-minute video of the presentation and the audit. Click here for photos of a similar audit of senior walking routes. For more information about the project, contact Julie Kelly at 508-324-2405..

(Top row) WalkBoston Program  Director Stacey Beuttell gives instructions to the group, including Mass. DOT Traffic Safety Engineer Corey O'Connor and Walk Boston Communications Manager Brendan Kearney. (Row two, left) Corey O'Connor, WalkBoston Intern Kasia Hart, and SRPEDD Transportation Planning Technician Luis de Oliveira observe a school bus unloading on Bedford Street. (Row two, right) Fall River Police Sergeant Thomas Mauretti talks with Fall River Mass In Motion Coordinator Julie Kelly and the group about bicycle safety enforcement. (Row three) After noting a potential dangerous obstacle on the side of a National Grid telephone pole, Julie Kelly points to the intersection of Bedford and Robeson Streets and poses questions about pedestrian signals to Traffic Clerk Laura Ferreira. (Bottom row) The team observes the function of the pedestrian crossing signals and makes suggestions for improvements.