Pedestrians
Walking is a great way to improve health, relieve stress and travel more sustainably. CMU’s main campus has many pathways available to walkers. View campus maps to plan your next walking route, and keep reading for tips to stay safe when crossing campus on foot.
General Pedestrian Safety Tips
- Stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings. Put away mobile devices and other distractions.
- Cross streets only at marked crosswalks/intersections and obey traffic and pedestrian signals. Do not step into a crosswalk without a white walk signal or a flashing orange countdown signal with enough time left to cross, and until you are sure vehicles and bikes have come to a full stop. Make eye contact with drivers/riders to confirm they see you.
- Stay to the right on walkways and avoid walking in bike lanes, including CMU’s wheels-only path.
- Use CMU’s dismount zones during high-traffic periods to help avoid bikes and other wheeled vehicles.
- When walking at night, wear bright colors or reflective clothing to ensure you are visible to others. Stay in well-lit areas and consider walking with a friend or using the Safety Timer feature on CMU’s Rave Guardian app for added safety. Be aware of the emergency communications devices located across campus that contact the CMU Police Department during emergencies.
Marked Pathways Around The Cut
When walking across or around The Cut, be aware of the following marked pathways.
Pedestrian-Only Dismount Zones
Walkers seeking to avoid wheeled traffic can use CMU’s marked dismount zones — pathways where riders must dismount and walk their wheeled vehicles — to enjoy pedestrian-only spaces Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Example of dismount zone ground stencil
Wheels-Only Path
The marked wheels-only path on the west side of the Cohon University Center is only open to approved wheeled vehicles. Pedestrians are not allowed on this path at any time and should use the covered walkway that runs parallel to the path, or cross the path at the approved crossing area.
Example of wheels-only path ground stencil
Shared Path
The pathway with a green stripe down the middle is a shared path open to both pedestrians and wheeled vehicles. Travelers should stay to the right of the green stripe to create two lanes of traffic, one in each direction.
Examples of shared path ground stencils
Learn more about CMU’s dismount zones, wheels-only path and shared path.
Winter Safety
During the winter months, be prepared to navigate pathways in inclement weather, including ice and snow. CMU’s facilities teams employ a mix of snow and ice removal strategies to help maintain campus pathways, including brine and ice-melt pretreatments, snow removal and targeted pathway closures. Pedestrians should consider the following when crossing campus in winter:
- Be Prepared: Check weather forecasts and campus winter alerts before venturing out.
- Don’t Rush: Allow extra time to get to classes or meetings.
- Wear Proper Footwear: Choose boots or shoes with solid, non-slip rubber treads for better traction, and avoid smooth-soled or heeled footwear.
- Stick to Cleared and Treated Paths: Avoid shortcuts!
- Be Aware of Refreeze: Any precipitation that melts during the day can refreeze quickly overnight, creating slick ice.
- Adopt a Safer Gait: Take short, careful steps and keep your hands out of your pockets to help maintain balance. Avoid rushing.
- Leverage Physical Supports: Use handrails when walking on stairs or ramps for additional support, stability and guidance.
- Report Issues: Notify Facilities Management Services of areas of walking concern, including icy spots.
- Keep Floors Clean: When entering buildings, wipe your shoes on mats to avoid tracking in ice and snow.