In Argentina, Asociación Madres del Dolor has used findings from its Mobility Snapshot to obtain government commitment to construct a new pedestrian crossing and a ramp to improve accessibility at the intersection of Blanco Encalada St and Sucre Av in San Isidro, Buenos Aires. This intersection presents significant safety challenges for the 320 pedestrians and 60 cyclists who navigate the area during peak hours due to the 50 km/h speed limit and the lack of clear footpaths, pedestrian crossings, and road signs.
iRAP analysis of this Mobility Snapshot recommended installing footpaths, signalized pedestrian crossings, reducing the speed limit to 40 km/h, and adding traffic calming measures at this intersection. These interventions will improve its star rating from one star to four stars for pedestrians.
Asociación Madres del Dolor directed its advocacy towards road safety authorities and the company responsible for maintaining these roads (Autopistas del Sol) by meeting with them and presenting the findings and recommendations from their snapshot. This led to commitment by the authorities and maintenance company to upgrade the intersection. Implementation of a new pedestrian crossing to replace the existing one and move it to a better location, plus a ramp for accessiblity has already commenced to upgrade the intersection.
According to Viviam Perrone, Asociación Madres del Dolor, “we have used our results from the Mobility Snapshots to meet with road safety authorities of the municipality and the private company that maintains these roads. That’s where we got a yes and they are beginning to make changes in this intersection. Sometimes it’s a matter of knocking on the correct door to get positive results.”
Before this snapshot, people navigating the area had adapted to using the unsafe intersection, accepting the unsafe realities they faced on their daily journeys. “Prior to our Mobility Snapshot and advocacy, no one had requested these changes. People were just used to walking between cars and bikes. It’s a simple change that can make crossing that street much safer for so many,” says Viviam Perrone. This suggests the need to change the way we perceive our streets, from accepting poor safety infrastructure as a norm, to demanding for safer streets.
