People seated at round tables in a banquet hall, listening to speakers on stage with presentation screens.

2025 Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum Wrap-Up

On Monday, June 16, and Tuesday, June 17, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) Texas Pedestrian Safety Coalition (TPSC) hosted the 2025 Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum. This annual forum convened individuals and organizations from across the state who are focused on enhancing pedestrian safety throughout Texas.

The goal of TPSC is to reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries within Texas communities through advocacy, education and outreach surrounding pedestrian safety. The coalition meets quarterly through webinars to discuss current pedestrian safety issues and share best practices from communities across Texas. By doing so, the coalition acts as a public platform for improving pedestrian safety by fostering partnerships, promoting collaboration, and enhancing statewide communication around safety laws and initiatives.

The Walk the Block and Social Hour is designed to encourage individuals to embrace the surrounding urban landscape as pedestrians and connect with one another in a relaxed, community-oriented setting.

This year’s forum began on June 16 with an introductory event titled “Walk the Block and Social Hour.” This engaging activity was designed to encourage individuals to embrace the surrounding urban landscape as pedestrians and connect with one another in a relaxed, community-oriented setting. The Walk the Block event was led by TTI Assistant Research Scientist Micah Leonard. 

“Being from San Antonio, it was incredibly meaningful to see Walk the Block kick off the first day as a true showcase of our city’s heart — from the arts to engineering to community leadership,” said Leonard. “The second day of the forum only continued to grow the excitement and enthusiasm, building on the impact and energy of the day prior. It was powerful to connect with speakers from across Texas, each approaching pedestrian safety through different perspectives. I love helping lead the coalition, and the forum truly feels like the pinnacle celebration of all the amazing work happening across the state. We’re grateful to the Texas Department of Transportation for helping support this effort and amplifying these powerful conversations. We’re more than a network — we’re a family, each doing our part to build safer streets across Texas. I’m already looking forward to the years to come and to continuing this collaborative work together.” 

The forum kicked off on Tuesday, June 17, with a full agenda. The event included a complimentary lunch and featured presentations from keynote speakers Trish DeBerry, president and CEO of Centro San Antonio, and Rebecca Sanders, founder and president of Safe Streets Research and Consulting. The day’s activities were hosted and concluded by TTI Associate Research Scientist Ben Ettelman. 

Ben Ettelman speaking at the forum on Tuesday, June 17.

“The eighth annual Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum included a wide range of federal, state, regional and local transportation agency staff, along with practitioners, pedestrian safety and accessibility advocates, public health experts, public policy experts, and other stakeholders,” said Ettelman. “The forum was yet another success, and the TTI team is excited to build on the success to continue providing opportunities for professionals in Texas who are committed to enhancing the protection of the most vulnerable road users in our communities.”  

Overall, the 2025 Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum highlighted the coalition’s ongoing commitment to pedestrian safety advocacy and fostered collaboration, education and action across the state. As TPSC continues its work, the annual forum remains a vital part of building safer, more walkable communities in the heart of Texas.