Hinsdale is looking for residents to complete a traffic and pedestrian safety survey for its downtown area as part of a larger safety initiative.
A nine-question online survey is open through July 31. It also offers an opportunity to share opinions on the benefits and drawbacks of the downtown transportation and parking systems in place and to submit specific downtown traffic or pedestrian safety ideas.
Hinsdale village manager Kathleen Gargano said the traffic and pedestrian safety initiative, of which the survey is a part, began earlier this year to evaluate infrastructure needs and community concerns. She said since taking office in April, village President Greg Hart has expanded the focus on pedestrian safety and proposed the creation of a Public Safety and Transportation Commission to give residents a formal voice in the process.
“The survey is an early opportunity to gather broad community input,” Gargano said, adding that an open house is planned for later this year. She said this is the first time the village has conducted a survey of this kind in support of a formal pedestrian safety and traffic study.
“We’re hoping for strong participation from residents across the village,” Gargano said. “While we haven’t set a specific target, the more responses we receive, the more useful and representative the data will be.”
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The survey is posted at https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/WraiE5.
She said offering the survey reflects the village’s proactive approach to ensuring safety and mobility in Hinsdale.
“We appreciate all who take the time to participate, whether through the survey, the upcoming open house, or future engagement opportunities. Resident input will continue to be central to this process.”
Hinsdale has engaged Kenig, Lindgren, O’Hara, Aboona, Inc., a Rosemont based traffic engineering firm, to conduct a comprehensive study, focused on traffic flow, pedestrian safety and key intersections.
“That work is ongoing,” she said. “The goal is to understand where improvements may be needed, based on both technical data and public input. Survey responses will be shared with KLOA and considered alongside their technical findings.”
Gargano said the survey will play a meaningful role in shaping KLOA’s recommendations. “Resident feedback offers firsthand insight into how people experience local roads, paths, and crossings, information that can’t be captured by traffic counts alone,” she said.
Once KLOA’s report is complete, the proposed Public Safety and Transportation Commission will review the findings and provide input before recommendations are formally presented to the Village Board of Trustees for consideration, Gargano said. The final report from KLOA is expected this fall.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.