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In Tuesday, October 7th's Council Work Session, Councilmembers will hear recommendations from the STREEET Safety Task Force for policies and programs LFUCG can implement to improve street safety throughout Lexington.
The STREEET (Shared Travel Requires Engineering, Education & Enforcement of Traffic) Safety Task Force was created in January 2025 to look into short-term solutions for how Lexington's streets can be made safer. The Task Force had three subsections focused on engineering, education, and enforcement solutions for street safety. Each subsection will be presenting their recommendations in Council's Work Session.
Councilmembers Emma Curtis (District 4) and Liz Sheehan (District 5) developed the Engineering recommendations.
Vice Mayor Dan Wu and Councilmember Hannah LeGris (District 3) developed the Education recommendations.
Councilmembers Whitney Elliott Baxter (District 9) and Dave Sevigny (District 10) developed the Enforcement recommendations.
The Task Force will have two more meetings this year where they will develop a more detailed implementation plan for these recommendations. That plan will likely be presented to the full Council sometime in 2026.
Engineering Recommendations
Conduct a Roundabout Feasibility Study.
Five Lexington intersections will be selected for this study. The study will look at potential designs, projected safety impacts, and cost estimates for construction of roundabouts at each location.
There's no current estimate for the cost of the study, but the Task Force may ask for it to be funded through the Fiscal Year 2025 Fund Balance.
Implement a Traffic-Circle Quick Build Pilot.
Traffic circles are like a scaled-down version of a roundabout. A large round object like a flower bed can be placed in the center of a four-way intersection, forcing drivers to circle around the intersection rather than driving straight through. This pilot program would provide funding for traffic circles to be built at intersections throughout the city.
The Task Force estimates $150,000 in costs for a successful pilot. This could be a Fund Balance request.
Adjust crosswalk signal timing.
Using data from Lexington's Division of Traffic Engineering and the Kentucky Transporation Cabinet, changes to traffic signals in Lexington could be made to allow more time for pedestrians to safely cross the street. Signal changes may also improve traffic flow at certain intersections for cars and bicycles.
Establish a Quick Build Program.
A Quick Build Program would support traffic safety projects that could be, well, built quickly! An example of a quick build project is the recent High Street project where a portion of High Street was quickly redesigned to reduce the car lanes to one traffic lane, add street parking, and add a protected bike lane.
Education Recommendations
Explore "Experiential Engagement and Placemaking" Projects.
Some examples of Experiential Engagement and Placemaking projects and events include StreetFest, block parties, and critical mass cycling events.
The goal of this recommendation is to determine which types of projects and events should be prioritized for funding and operation by LFUCG.
Create a Community Champions Initiative.
A Community Champions Initiative would provide resources to community residents interested in pursuing street safety projects. These resources would include help navigating various government processes and support programs, relationship building with LFUCG staff, and a digital library of information residents can use to help develop their projects.
Improve ongoing education programs around street safety.
LFUCG operates several educational programs and campaigns related to transportation safety. These programs could be supported with additional funding and capacity.
Support unified street safety messaging across LFUCG.
Messaging about transportation safety could be made more clear and cohesive across various government divisions like Planning, Traffic Safety, the Complete Streets Office, and more.
The STREEET Safety Task Force's September meeting packet mentions hiring an external consultant to implement this recommendation, but no mention of an external consultant is made in the Work Session packet.
Enforcement Recommendations
Use data analytics for targeted traffic enforcement.
An online traffic complaint form, focused on recurring traffic issues - as well as data on locations and types of traffic citations issued by police - would be used to determine where in Lexington sees the most traffic violations, and where officer resources and time should be allocated.
Pursue automated traffic enforcement.
Currently, state law prohibits cities from using technology, like red light cameras, for automated traffic enforcement. Officers must be present and physically witness a traffic violation in order to issue a citation or arrest.
If Council is supports the idea, LFUCG would collaborate with Louisville Metro Government to lobby for a change to state law that would allow urban areas to use automated traffic enforcement technology.
Adopt a ban on drag racing on Lexington streets.
Illegal drag racing on Lexington streets is popular on many wide or one-way Lexington roads. The STREEET Safety Task Force aims for a new drag racing ban to be developed and adopted by Council in early 2026.
9th District Councilmember Whitney Elliott Baxter will place this item in the Social Services and Public Safety Committee this month.
Adopt a ban on parking in bike lanes.
The Task Force aims for a new ordinance prohibiting parking cars in Lexington bike lanes to be adopted in early 2026.
10th District Councilmember Dave Sevigny will place this item into the Social Services and Public Safety Committee this month.
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Watch the meeting: Council Work Session will be held on Tuesday, October 7th at 3pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in-person or watch live on LexTV.
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How can you get involved? Reach out to your Councilmembers and share your thoughts on the STREEET Safety Task Force recommendations!
