• Laws regarding crosswalks can confuse both pedestrians and drivers, leaving the right-of-way uncertain.
• University Police Chief Gene Burton said cars have to stop if someone is already in the street, but not if they are waiting on the sidewalk.
• Walkability is one of the guiding principles of the recently revealed campus master plan, which looks at possible ways to restructure and improve campus.
Cars speeding through campus often have people debating whether to step out or toe the line.
Walkability is a major concern for students, evident in its inclusion in the campus master plan. The issue isn’t entirely new either — the McKinley Beautification project, started in 2005, also aimed to make the road more appealing and safe.
Jon Hunsberger, a graduate student in urban planning, went on masterplan.bsu.edu to voice his concerns about making campus streets safe.
He argued vehicles should yield to pedestrians when they are trying to cross McKinley Avenue.
“But the vehicle clearly rules,” he said.
According to Indiana codes, vehicles are required to stop when a pedestrian “is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching closely from the opposite half of the roadway.”
University Police Chief Gene Burton said this law can be confusing for students trying to safely cross a street as well as the motorists driving through campus.
He explained it to mean that a vehicle must stop if a pedestrian is literally standing in the street, although he did say many students believe pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Cars do not have to stop for students waiting to cross the street, though.
The line grays, however, when a pedestrian steps out ahead of a car coming to a crosswalk. Legally, the vehicle has to stop, but pedestrians are liable if they fail to cross in a safe manner without giving a vehicle ample room to stop, according to Indiana’s 9-21-17-5 code.
Burton said he understands that there may be some confusion on when, and even where, a pedestrian can cross on McKinley Avenue.
The brick inlays on McKinley Avenue are there to take the place of white lines painted on the street, signifying a crosswalk, Burton said. But these may not constitute a legal crosswalk, according to Indiana’s 9-21-17 code.
“There is reasonable reason for debate on [crosswalks],” he said. “People are usually talking about signs or painted markings.”
Jason P. posted on the master plan website that he believes McKinley Avenue should be for the exclusive use of pedestrians and bicycles, with a lane for shuttle buses exclusively to ensure students couldn’t get hit by cars.
“There is really no reason for cars to drive through campus, except shuttle buses,” he said.
Sue Weller, director of facilities, business services, and transportation, said stopping traffic through the avenue, even with stoplights for pedestrian traffic, would cause more trouble than it’s worth.
She said instead, drivers should be aware of students crossing the street and drive appropriately.
“If anyone is standing out in the road, good judgement says you are going to stop,” Weller said.
Although several students have posted on the master plan website voicing their concerns, she said she isn’t aware of pedestrian traffic being an issue.
“We will address the issue if students feel unsafe,” Weller said.
Hunsberger offered his advice, saying signs and speed bumps would be a strong incentive to changing the driving culture on Ball State’s campus.
“It shouldn’t take an accident to precipitate change,” he said.
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