With the recent death of Dean Marie Wooten, pedestrian safety remains a concern.
Since several pedestrians have been struck on campus in the past year, the need for awareness has gone up despite measures taken by the city and University to improve safety.
Temporary lighting and stop signs in the crosswalks on West Magnolia Avenue were some of the first steps taken toward making campus safer for pedestrians.
"(Permanent lights) were installed this summer," said Charles Duggan, city manager. "Since the signs were put up, the number of accidents has decreased, and I believe the lighting has improved the area."
The lights were installed on the south side of the road, which is on campus.
"The University stepped up and took the lead on that project even though Magnolia is a city street," said Cathy Love, the University's master plan implementation engineer. "We did that with stimulus money."
The project cost $300,000, and the University has since turned the ownership and maintenance of the lights over to the city of Auburn, Love said.
The change in season and time means Alabama experiences more dark hours than light.
"One of the things I think that is important to note this time of year is the need to wear reflective clothing and lights at night, especially if you're a cyclist or a walker," said Brandy Ezelle, traffic engineer and co-coordinator of Travel with Care.
The Travel with Care campaign promotes unplugging iPods and not talking or texting while driving to increase driver awareness.
"A vehicle's headlights illuminate someone in the road only a certain distance away," Ezelle said. "That distance (155 feet) is about equal to the distance it takes a person to stop at the speed of 25 mph."
A vehicle traveling faster than that is unlikely to see an obstruction in the roadway with sufficient time to stop if the pedestrian is not wearing anything reflective, Ezelle said.
"Those reflective materials are visible at 500 feet, which gives a vehicle the opportunity to stop even at 45 or 50 mph," Ezelle said.
A city ordinance requires reflective material for cyclists, walkers and drivers.
"Everybody that is either driving, walking, running or bicycling needs to be aware of each other on the road and move defensively," said Bill James, public safety director.
Raised crosswalks on Samford Avenue and signs on the 100 block of South College Street are other areas where measures were taken to decrease incidents, James said.
"It is something we review at least quarterly with the University," James said. "You have to be extremely careful regardless of your mode of transportation.
"If you are a driver, be aware of the crosswalks and be aware of the pedestrians entering the crosswalks."
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