AGENDA #2a
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to: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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from: |
J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director David Bonk, Long Range Planning and Transportation Coordinator |
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subject: |
Public Forum: NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Corridor and Town Wide Pedestrian Safety Evaluation Draft Study |
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date: |
April 11, 2007 |
Tonight’s public forum is intended to receive public input on the recommendations of the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Corridor/Town Wide Pedestrian Safety Evaluation Study (Attachment 1).
In 2003, the Town received a $200,000, five-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to establish the Chapel Hill Active Living by Design program. The goal of the Active Living by Design program is to promote physical activity through programming and improved community design. Part of the grant proposal included a study of pedestrian safety issues along the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor.
In August 2004, the Highway Safety Research Center prepared a study of the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. corridor from I-40 to the intersection of North Street. The Study assessed pedestrian barriers and other factors that may limit walking and bicycling along NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. corridor and suggested possible solutions. The Study included “existing pedestrian, bicycle, and transit patterns, identification of critical safety and access problems, and the development of potential countermeasures (treatments) for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and access and encouraging more walking and bicycling along the corridor.”
On November 22, 2004, after reviewing the NC 86/Airport Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Mobility Study, the Town Council directed the Town Manager to begin an implementation study along the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor based on the recommendations of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Study.
In May 2006, the Town contracted with Lappas and Havener, PA, Landscape Architects to prepare an implementation plan for the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd corridor. In response to concerns about pedestrian safety, as a result of several fatal accidents in the community, the scope of the study was expanded to include 15 additional sites around Chapel Hill identified as having pedestrian safety issues.
On September 26, 2006, a Community Forum was held on the NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Corridor Evaluation Draft Study to receive comments from citizens. On February 26, 2007, the Council referred the draft study to staff and Town advisory boards and commissions for comment and recommendations. We anticipate that the Council will take action on May 7, 2007.
The draft study has been reviewed by Town Planning, Public Works and Engineering staff. Proposals for pedestrian improvements at 15 additional locations have also been reviewed by staff. These 15 locations are:
The report includes recommendations for improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including:
The Study recommends continuous sidewalks and striped bicycle lanes along the length of the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor. It provides two options for sidewalk design with plantings and vegetated buffers. One option would provide a strip with landscaping and street trees between the roadway and the sidewalk. The other option would provide landscaping and larger shade trees at the back of the sidewalk.
Staff comment: we support this measure because it will provide continuous safe facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists along the corridor. Landscaping and buffering provide shade and protection as well as narrowing the field of vision for drivers, thereby reducing driving speeds. Where conditions permit, we prefer the option that provides plantings between the sidewalk and the roadway. In situations of limited right of way or other topographical limitations, the second option would be acceptable. With both design options, we believe that the improved aesthetics and safety may result in more people choosing to walk.
The Study recommends mid-block crossings with pedestrian refuge islands at key locations along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. These crossings are primarily located near higher density residential locations and heavily used bus stops.
Staff comment: we support this measure because it will provide safe crossing and waiting areas to pedestrians who cross this busy road. The provision of the marked crosswalks and refuge islands will alert pedestrians to the appropriate locations for crossing and signal drivers to yield to pedestrians.
The Study recommends improved transit stop facilities, such as benches, shelters, signage and increased lighting.
Staff comment: we support this measure as it will provide safer and more comfortable waiting areas for transit riders.
The Study recommends bus pullouts at key locations with high ridership and high traffic volumes on the roadway. Pullouts provide a safer environment for passengers waiting, loading, and unloading from the bus due to the greater distance from the roadway.
Staff comment: we believe that this measure may be appropriate in certain locations with high transit usage. The construction of bus pullouts, however, may be costly and will require coordination with sidewalk construction. It may also require removing existing sidewalk or curb and gutter in order to install the pullout.
The Study recommends narrowing the turning radius at some intersections to make a tighter movement for turning vehicles.
Staff comment: we support this measure because it has the dual benefit of reducing the speed of turning vehicles and reducing the distance for pedestrians crossing in the intersection.
The Study recommends improved lighting at intersections to make pedestrians more visible.
Staff comment: we support this measure as it will provide a safer environment for pedestrians while crossing. Increased lighting also provides increased safety and comfort in terms of crime. This may make it more likely that people will choose to walk after dark.
The Study recommends “high visibility” crosswalks at key locations on busy, higher speed roads. These crossings could include thicker markings and increased lighting and signage. They are visible to drivers from a greater distance and alert them to anticipate pedestrians.
Staff comment: we support this measure because it will alert drivers to pedestrians crossing these busy roadways.
The Study recommends providing trees and other plantings to provide shade and a buffer between pedestrians and the road. There are several options provided, depending on topography, right of way available, and other specific site characteristics.
Staff comment: we support this measure because landscaping and buffering provide shade and protection. It also narrows the field of vision for drivers, thereby reducing driving speeds. The improved aesthetics and safety may result in more people choosing to walk.
The Study recommends providing pedestrian countdown signals at key intersections. In addition to the walk/don’t walk signal, these show the time remaining until the light will change.
Staff comment: we support this measure because these signals indicate the remaining time for pedestrians to cross. This will encourage pedestrians to cross at the appropriate signal and also serve as a reminder to drivers to yield right of way to pedestrians.
The Study recommends construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps and crossings at all possible locations. These measures include maximum slope and visual or tactile clues to alert pedestrians with mobility and visual impairments.
Staff comment: we support this measure because it provides additional safety to pedestrians with visual and mobility impairments and makes it possible for them to choose to walk and use transit.
Because the recommendations provided in this study are for state-maintained roadways, coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation is required prior to any implementation. The consultant team has conducted preliminary discussions with staff from the Department regarding the recommended elements. It is our understanding that some elements would be possible to implement immediately, while others would require further discussions and coordination. The consultant team will provide a more detailed summary of their meetings.
Town Staff will review citizen comments from the April 11th forum as well as comments from Town advisory committees, and will prepare final recommendations for the Council’s consideration and approval on May 7, 2007. Comments and recommendations from the boards are provided in Attachments 1 through 5. At this time, the Active Living by Design Advisory Committee has not yet reviewed the project, but is scheduled to meet before the May 7, 2007 Council meeting. We will include its comments at that time.
The Town has secured $200,000 from the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization for improvements to NC 86/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, in the section between Estes Drive and Homestead Road. This initial funding will allow us to begin implementation of a limited selection of the improvements. The consultant team is in the process of developing unit cost estimates for each of the elements described above.
At the May 7, 2007 meeting, we anticipate providing specific recommendations for the use of the available funding from the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which totals $200,000. We will also recommend priorities for future years as additional funding opportunities become available. This would include future applications to the Metropolitan Planning Organization and inclusion of projects in the Town Transportation Improvement Program Priority List. Upon approval and adoption of the Study, staff will also look for opportunities to include elements from the Study in the construction of development and redevelopment projects within the corridor or other 15 locations.
After adoption by the Town Council, staff will conduct detailed discussions with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to begin implementation of the recommended pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements.