2026 Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum Advances Statewide Collaboration
On Thursday, May 7, the Texas Pedestrian Safety Coalition (TPSC) hosted the 2026 Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum. The annual event brought together professionals, advocates and organizations from across the state who share a commitment to improving pedestrian safety statewide.
Texas has long prioritized transportation infrastructure, often leading the way with innovative and practical approaches to roadway design and safety. Despite these efforts, pedestrian crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities remain a serious concern. The TPSC — led by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) — aims to address these challenges, providing pedestrian safety professionals and advocates from several disciplines the ability to develop partnerships, enhance collaboration and strengthen capacity building efforts.
The forum is one of the coalition’s key efforts to advance that mission. This year’s event drew more than 250 participants and featured more than 40 speakers across 12 focused sessions and two keynote addresses—a sizeable increase from previous years, which reflects the event’s continued growth and strong engagement.
“A big part of what makes the forum successful goes beyond the sessions. It’s the value of people being able to engage face-to-face, catch up and build new relationships,” says Ben Ettelman, TTI associate research scientist and TPSC director. “We are grateful for the support that makes this forum possible, particularly from the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s), who continue to strengthen the event and expand its reach each year.”
David Palmer, director of TxDOT’s Behavioral Traffic Safety Division, also emphasizes the importance of collaboration in his morning keynote address:
“Collaboration is critical to achieving TxDOT’s goal of eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on Texas roadways,” says Palmer. “Events like this, along with the ongoing work of coalitions and committees across the state, play a vital role in enhancing safety for all road users — especially those who are most vulnerable. Time and again, we see stronger results when we work together.”
Ahead of the 2026 forum, Safe Streets Austin led a walking tour on May 6 that drew more than 60 participants. The tour gave attendees a firsthand look at local pedestrian infrastructure and safety considerations in Austin’s Mueller Neighborhood, while providing an informal opportunity to connect before the full day of forum programming.
Looking to next year’s forum, the TPSC will celebrate the 10th annual Texas Pedestrian Safety Forum, a milestone that reflects the event’s growth and continued impact. In addition to its traditional programming, the forum is expected to highlight achievements from partners and communities working to improve pedestrian safety across Texas.