Great Bend is taking steps to make its transportation network safer and more welcoming for everyone through the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Study, a community-driven initiative focused on reducing traffic injuries and improving mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and other roadway users.
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program provides federal funding to help communities improve roadway safety through planning efforts and infrastructure projects such as sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and safety education programs. Grants can cover up to 80% of project costs and support local efforts to reduce crashes and save lives.
The Need for Safer Street
Traffic crashes continue to impact communities across the country. In 2022, 42,514 people were killed in U.S. roadway crashes, including 410 fatalities in Kansas.
Between 2016 and 2025, Great Bend experienced 2,676 crashes, including four fatal crashes and 453 injury crashes. Twenty-eight crashes involved pedestrians and 22 involved bicyclists. These figures highlight the importance of investing in a transportation system that prioritizes safety for all users.
Beyond preventing injuries and fatalities, connected and walkable streets support healthier lifestyles, strengthen community connections, and improve overall quality of life.
“Safe streets create opportunities for people to connect with their community, support local businesses, and travel with confidence. This study helps us build a transportation network that better serves residents today and into the future,” said Mayor Alan Moeder.
A Safe System Approach
The SS4A Study is guided by the Safe System Approach, a nationally recognized strategy that acknowledges people make mistakes and that transportation systems should be designed to minimize the likelihood and severity of crashes. Rather than focusing solely on preventing collisions, the approach prioritizes preventing deaths and serious injuries through safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer behaviors, and effective post-crash care.
Key principles of the Safe System Approach include:
• Traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable and unacceptable.
• Roads should be designed with human error and human vulnerability in mind
• Safety is a shared responsibility among government agencies, community organizations, and the public.
• Proactive planning can identify and address risks before crashes occur.
• Multiple layers of protection help reduce the consequences of unavoidable mistakes.
Great Bend's Safety Action Plan will use these principles to identify strategies and future improvements that make travel safer for everyone.
“This study gives us the opportunity to use data, community feedback, and proven safety practices to identify priorities and make informed decisions about the future of transportation in Great Bend,” said City Administrator Logan Burns.
How to Get Involved
The City of Great Bend, in partnership with JEO Consulting Group, will host a community outreach booth during Party in the Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, where residents can share concerns and ideas related to roadway safety for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other roadway users.
Residents can follow the project as it develops at
https://tinyurl.com/GreatBendSS4AStoryMap
and also complete the online survey at
https://tinyurl.com/SS4AGreatBend
to share travel experiences and indicate interest in future focus groups.
“The people who use our streets every day provide valuable insight that helps us understand where improvements are needed most. Community participation will play a critical role in shaping a safer transportation system for Great Bend,” said Public Works Director David Dunekack.