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Campus Road Building Safety

Move Safely Through Campus Spaces

Find practical guidance for travelling on campus roads, using parking areas, entering buildings, and reporting hazards or unsafe conditions.

Road and Traffic Safety

Campus roads are shared by drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, transit vehicles, service vehicles, and emergency responders. Travel carefully and follow posted signs, signals, and directions.

  • Obey posted speed limits, stop signs, traffic signals, and parking restrictions
  • Yield to pedestrians at crossings and remain alert in high-traffic areas
  • Avoid distracted driving, cycling, or walking
  • Use designated roads, pathways, bicycle lanes, and crossings
  • Allow extra time during construction, severe weather, major events, or periods of heavy traffic
  • Keep fire routes, loading areas, accessible spaces, and emergency access routes clear

Report collisions, dangerous driving, damaged traffic controls, or immediate roadway hazards promptly.

Pedestrian Safety

Stay alert when walking through intersections, parking areas, loading zones, and other shared campus spaces.

  • Use marked walkways and pedestrian crossings whenever possible
  • Make eye contact with drivers before entering a roadway or crossing
  • Avoid looking at your phone while crossing roads or moving through busy areas
  • Keep headphone volume low enough to hear traffic, bicycles, and warning signals
  • Watch for vehicles reversing, turning, or entering from driveways and loading areas
  • Use extra caution during darkness, poor weather, or construction activity

Do not assume a driver or cyclist has seen you until their actions clearly indicate they are yielding.

Cycling and Micromobility Safety

Cyclists and users of permitted micromobility devices must travel carefully, follow applicable rules, and remain alert around pedestrians and vehicles.

  • Use designated cycling routes, roadways, and shared paths appropriately
  • Obey traffic signs, signals, and posted restrictions
  • Yield to pedestrians and reduce speed in crowded or shared areas
  • Use lights and reflective equipment when visibility is reduced
  • Avoid headphones or other distractions that limit awareness
  • Park bicycles and devices only in designated locations without blocking entrances, ramps, walkways, or emergency routes
  • Secure bicycles with a high-quality lock and register them through Western’s 529 Garage program

Slow down or dismount when conditions, congestion, or posted instructions make riding unsafe.

Parking and Vehicle Safety

Use designated parking areas, secure your vehicle, and remain alert when walking or driving through parking lots and garages.

  • Park only in authorized spaces and follow posted restrictions
  • Keep accessible spaces, fire routes, loading areas, and emergency access routes clear
  • Lock your vehicle, close the windows, and remove visible valuables
  • Drive slowly and watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles reversing
  • Use marked walkways and remain alert in areas with limited visibility
  • Report damaged vehicles, suspicious activity, collisions, or unsafe conditions promptly

Do not leave a running vehicle unattended.

Building Entrances and Access

Use designated entrances and help protect secure campus spaces by following building-access requirements.

  • Use your own authorized access card, key, or credential
  • Do not lend access cards, keys, or entry codes to another person
  • Do not allow unknown people to follow you into a secure area
  • Make sure doors close and latch behind you
  • Do not prop open secure or exterior doors
  • Report damaged doors, locks, card readers, or lighting promptly
  • Contact WSCS if someone is attempting to enter a restricted area without authorization

Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to life or safety.

Construction Zones and Temporary Closures

Construction, maintenance, and special events may temporarily change normal routes, entrances, parking access, or traffic patterns.

  • Follow posted signs, barriers, detours, and instructions from authorized personnel
  • Do not enter fenced, restricted, or closed areas
  • Allow extra time and use designated alternate routes
  • Watch for uneven surfaces, equipment, temporary ramps, and changing traffic patterns
  • Keep emergency routes, accessible entrances, and work areas clear
  • Report damaged barriers, missing signs, or unsafe conditions promptly

Do not move barriers or create your own route through a closed area.

Report a Road, Building, or Accessibility Hazard

Report unsafe conditions promptly so the appropriate University service can assess and address the concern.

  • Provide the exact building, roadway, parking area, pathway, entrance, or room location
  • Describe the hazard and how it affects safety or accessibility
  • Include when you observed the concern and whether conditions are changing
  • Keep a safe distance from damaged equipment, electrical hazards, unstable surfaces, or other immediate dangers
  • Contact Facilities Management Client Services for non-urgent facilities, building, roadway, maintenance, or accessibility concerns
  • Call WSCS for urgent campus safety concerns that are not emergencies
  • Call 911 when the hazard presents an immediate threat to life or safety

Facilities Management Client Services can direct your concern to the appropriate maintenance or facilities team.

Contact Facilities Management Call WSCS

Facilities Management Client Services

Report non-urgent building, roadway, maintenance, accessibility, lighting, or grounds concerns to Facilities Management Client Services.

Contact Facilities Management

Urgent Campus Safety Concerns

Contact the Western Special Constable Service for urgent campus safety concerns that are not emergencies, such as suspicious activity, immediate security issues, or hazards requiring a prompt safety response.

Call 519-661-3300