EVANSTON – The city of Cincinnati has installed a raised crosswalk in front of Evanston Academy elementary school on Fairfax Avenue, the first pedestrian safety improvement of this type in the city. Raised crosswalks slow traffic and make pedestrians more visible to motorists. 

The installation, which was completed Dec. 23, is part of the city’s Vision Zero program managed by the Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE).

Vision Zero aims to eliminate traffic-related deaths and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all.

Raised crosswalks improve pedestrian safety by making pedestrians more visible to motorists. The raised crosswalk also functions like a speed hump, which helps calm traffic. It is intended to ensure that vehicles driving in front of the elementary school adhere to the speed limit. This raised crosswalk is 6 inches high and 12 feet wide with an 11-foot ramp on both sides.

DOTE also has constructed sidewalk bumpouts on both sides of the new crosswalk. Bumpouts reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians and make them more visible to motorists, especially in locations with on-street parking.

The improved crossing on Fairfax Avenue is one of more than 200 locations currently scheduled for pedestrian-safety improvements as part of the city’s Vision Zero program. DOTE is currently focused on making improvements in school zones, recreation areas, neighborhood business districts and known high-volume pedestrian crash corridors. Three additional raised crosswalks will be installed in front of schools in 2021.

DOTE also plans to pilot several other new types of infrastructure, such as speed-limit pavement markings, a pedestrian “head start” at traffic signals and special crosswalk lights.

Learn more about the city's Vision Zero program.