Ronald Cossman, associate research professor at Mississippi State University, suggested a walking and cycling lane be placed around the outer ring of Thad Cochran Research, Technology & Economic Development Park.
Cossman said the need for a sidewalk stems from the potentially dangerous interactions of cars, pedestrians and cyclists on the loop surrounding the research park.
“The problem is, you’ll see walkers on the inside lane, you’ll see walkers on the outside lane, you’ll see walkers walking with traffic and you’ll see walkers walking against traffic,” he said. “That creates a situation for drivers who aren’t used to following human beings who have to sort of weave their way through this mass of humanity to get into or out of the research park.”
The research park is located north of MSU’s campus, across Highway 182 on Mississippi Boulevard.
Tenants, employees, Starkville citizens and students walk on Research Boulevard, the street circling the park, Cossman said.
“It makes a whole lot of sense for people to come out here and walk at the university research park because it’s almost a one-mile loop, there’s not a lot of traffic and it’s partially shaded; it’s a pleasant experience,” he said.
Aleta Ragsdale, assistant research professor, said a pedestrian lane would be beneficial.
“Like most of my colleagues, my work schedule is very busy and, therefore, I often find it difficult to make it to one of the gym classes at the Sanderson. Having a pedestrian walking lane would make me more comfortable with taking a power walk around the research park, and therefore more likely to ‘get my exercise in,’ especially on evenings when I’m working late,” she said.
Despite the heavy foot and bicycle traffic, there is little to no separation between automobiles and foot traffic.
Clemence Bouvard, research associate, said that even though the loop itself is enjoyable, it can be hazardous.
“This loop is a great place to walk and take a little quick break during the day,” she said. “I started to walk on Research Boulevard while I was pregnant and I found it pretty dangerous even during the daytime. As the road is neither flat nor strait, the visibility is very limited for drivers to avoid us. So after almost being hit by a car, I just decided not to walk there anymore.”
Mary Woods, data management assistant, said the sharing of the road could lead to potential safety hazards.
“Not only are driving lanes congested during the mornings and evenings, but there are many areas, such as exits and entrances and curves, where it is hard enough to see cars, let alone pedestrians or cyclists. It is a big safety issue for them and motorists,” she said.
In response to the congestion, Cossman held a public hearing on Nov. 30 last year to discuss designating a walking and cycling lane for the research park. In the hearing, the group of university students, tenants and employees talked over different feasible scenarios to smooth over the traffic dilemma. Those attending filled out surveys identifying what their concerns were along with how much they exercised around the research park.
Cossman then took four possible scenarios to Marc McGee, director of Sponsored Programs Administration, for his guidance.
“We talked about the pros and cons and tried to come up with something that would meet the needs of safety and be cost-effective for the city and the university,” Cossman said.
Although McGee said he could not envision utilizing one of the current lanes as a pedestrian and bike only zone, he saw the addition of a sidewalk outside the boulevard as a reasonable option.
“With the construction of the new boulevard [and] with the construction of new buildings, we are a little concerned with the timing of losing a new traffic lane […] The sidewalk is a better alternative for what we are looking at as far as future growth of the park,” he said.
Cossman recognizes the aim of MSU to incorporate the pedestrian and bike traffic into the long-term strategy and plan of the research park.
“It’s one of those things where you have to balance off the immediate need and desire of the tenants in the research park and a longer range vision the university has for the research park,” he said.
Although MSU is in congruence with the need to separate motorists and pedestrians, Cossman does not see a quick fix to the problem, saying the research park will most likely remain pathlesss in 2011. Thomas Robinson, intermittent worker, stresses the importance of getting an alternate lane as soon as possible.
“I think it is an excellent idea that is way over due. On a constant basis, there are walkers, joggers and cyclists intermingling with traffic. The likelihood is strong that it is only a matter of time before an unfortunate incident occurs to possibly seriously injure someone,” he said.
Despite the current traffic predicament in the research park, Cossman sees hope for the future and the improvement of MSU.
“This is going to improve the quality of life in the research park for the people who work here [and] the students who work here. I think it’s just going to make it a better place to work and promote the university as being a very pedestrian and cycling-friendly community,” he said.