City Seeks Public Input on Richmond’s First Pedestrian Safety Master Plan

Community feedback will help identify pedestrian needs and inform priorities for future safety investments throughout Richmond 

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Department of Transportation (RDOT) is inviting Richmonders to help shape the City’s first Pedestrian Safety Master Plan, a citywide effort to make walking and rolling safer, more accessible and better connected throughout Richmond.

The Pedestrian Safety Master Plan will evaluate existing pedestrian conditions, identify gaps and barriers in the pedestrian network and establish priorities for future pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements for people of all ages and abilities. The completed plan will provide a citywide framework for identifying needs, prioritizing improvements and informing future project development. The plan supports Richmond’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

RDOT wants to understand where people experience challenges walking and rolling in Richmond, from missing or difficult-to-navigate sidewalks and crossings to accessibility barriers, lighting concerns , and gaps in connectivity.

“The Pedestrian Safety Master Plan is such an important step in getting us closer to our Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. We’d love to hear from as many Richmonders as possible so that we can make our streets safer for everyone,” said Mayor Danny Avula. 

“Walking is the foundation of our transportation system,” said Andy Boenau, Director of the Richmond Department of Transportation. “We want to hear directly from residents, businesses, and community stakeholders. That input will help us develop a thoughtful, data-informed approach to pedestrian safety.”

RDOT will consider community feedback alongside crash data, existing infrastructure conditions, accessibility needs and other technical analyses to identify pedestrian safety needs and establish priorities for future improvements.

Take the survey, here. Survey closes November 19, 2026 .

The public engagement process builds on RDOT’s ongoing pedestrian safety efforts. 

• On July 9, RDOT hosted a community conversation with University of Virginia historian and author Peter Norton exploring Richmond’s transportation history and how lessons from the past can help inform safer and more accessible streets. The discussion connected Richmond’s transportation history with development of the Pedestrian Safety Master Plan and the City’s broader Vision Zero commitment. 
• On August 13, RDOT hosted another community conversation with a workshop on the role of transit as a natural extension of walking with Scudder Wagg, president of Jarrett Walker and Associates. 
• On October 1, RDOT hosted a third conversation in the series with special guests Victor Dover and John Massengale on what good street design does for future city growth and sustainability. Their work shows how the design of everyday streets determines whether a city feels safe, inviting and livable. 

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For more information about the Department of Transportation, visit www.rva.gov/public-works or email [email protected].  

Follow RDOT on social media for updates on projects, events and initiatives: on Instagram and X at RVA_DOT.