On Tuesday June 9, 2009 Blacksburg Transit was recognized by the Virginia Transit Association in its Outstanding Program category for the pedestrian safety campaign, Yield It’s Worth the Wait. Blacksburg Transit partnered with other departments of the town of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech and the Town Gown Community Relations Committee to create award winning campaign.

Yield It’s Worth the Wait was designed to enhance communication between pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in response to an increase of pedestrian-related accidents. The program was funded by a grant through the Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation with Transportation Efficient Improvement Funds.

Four phases were developed and implemented over the course of two years, culminating in the Yield It’s Worth the Wait public service video. As a direct result of this program communication between pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists has doubled and pedestrian-related accidents have decreased.

For more information on the program contact Fiona Rhodes at frhodes@blacksburg.gov or call (540) 443-7100 ext. 2401