AGENDA #4
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Chapel Hill Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
DATE: February 14, 2001
The following reports outline in detail our accomplishments for the year 2000 and our projects and budget requests for the year 2001. The Town Comprehensive Plan has given a mandate for the highest priority given to pedestrian and bicycle improvements throughout the town. The current situation, however, is not promising for the realization of this plan under current budget allocations.
· A minimum of 100,000 feet of sidewalks is needed. The current CIP will take 25 years for these sidewalks to be a reality (an optimistic estimate).
· Improvements for pedestrian intersections and mid-block crosswalks are essential for the successful implementation of an improved public transit system and convenient walking access to local attractions such as schools, houses of worship, shopping, etc…More monies are needed.
· Current crash rates in Chapel Hill of pedestrians and bicycles average FOUR per month (see APPENDIX 2). With the anticipated increase in pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit traffic-- without improvements to the existing infrastructure--the number of crashes and fatalities are predicted to increase.
In light of these reports we urge the Town Council to consider increasing the CIP for sidewalk, intersection, mid-block crossings, and bicycle access to triple its current budget in order to slash the time frame to 10 years: $300,000 for years 1 & 2; $375,000 for years 3, 4, & 5. A bond issue seems imperative for a speedier resolution to this infrastructure need.
For the year 2001 we ask for a total of $11,800 for projects that would promote walking, bicycling and public transit. We are convinced that, although there are desperate needs, there are also very positive opportunities for alternative transit in Chapel Hill which need to be promoted and celebrated.
TOWN COUNCIL
THE BICYCLE AND
PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY BOARD
JANUARY 2001
In recognition of the desire to enhance bicycling and walking transportation, the Town Council formed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board a year and a half ago with the charge of advising the Council on matters of bicycling and walking, developing a pedestrian and bicycle plan, and reviewing new development applications. The members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board look to a future with a comprehensive sidewalk and bicycle system that will allow children to walk or bike to school, to parks, and the homes of their friends, citizens to walk or bike to local shopping centers, churches and work, and where everyone can safely walk along and cross our streets.
Although Chapel Hill is a small (but growing) community, it, like virtually all communities, suffers from a spotty and loosely connected sidewalk system. Many intersections do not have pedestrian crossing amenities, and not enough mid-block crossings exist at all. 100,00 feet of required sidewalks have been identified (more may be forthcoming from future requests). Funding for sidewalks during the year 2000-2001 will result in the construction of approximately 1800+ feet of sidewalk to fill in existing gaps. At this rate of construction, it will take 55 years to complete the system, though the current CIP should drop this time to 25 years. Needless to say, this is a daunting and dreary outlook for those of us currently walking in Chapel Hill.
The roadway system for bicycling has similar gaps in quality. While it is possible to ride anywhere within Chapel Hill, a few narrow and/or high speed roads may deter would-be bicyclists, and sometimes make riding less pleasant for existing bicyclists. Estes Drive is perhaps a microcosm of the Town at large. From the library to Curtis Rd., the shared wide lanes make bicycling easy (except for the climb!). From Curtis Rd. to Airport Rd., as well as from Airport Rd. to S. Greensboro St. in Carrboro, the lanes are mostly narrow except for a few locations, resulting in a potentially intimidating situation for bicyclists and forcing drivers to encroach into the opposing lane when overtaking.
Finally, the off-road Greenway system can be a valuable component, providing connectivity and shortcuts to the road system for walkers and bicyclists, and offering recreational opportunities for all. While there are limited possibilities to develop major trails, the potential does exist, and these should be exploited. Moreover, the connecting of trails, and people to the trails, by identifying and improving short easements, is a large untapped source with great potential value.
BOARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS – 1999-2000
At the recommendation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, the Town has made changes in the Town’s 2000 Comprehensive Plan modifying engineering standards for streets, which included sidewalks and bicycle parking. The Comprehensive Plan, however, reflects Bike Lanes to accommodate bicyclists, but it is the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board’s position that shared Wide Lanes are the appropriate facility for Chapel Hill.
In the past eighteen months the Board has reviewed numerous development proposals and made recommendations to the Town Council on walking and bicycling concerns. We have developed of a list of criteria for reviewing new development proposals for adequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and have recommended that these criteria be included in the new Development Ordinance.
Other accomplishments are noted below:
· Studied and advised the Council on the dangers and inconvenience of the inability of bicyclists to trip the signal at intersections.
Chapel Hill Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
In keeping with the goals outlined in the recently adopted Town Comprehensive Plan, the board wants to develop more cohesive plans for walking and bicycling. The goal of such plans should make it possible for every child who lives within a 1-mile walking distance from school to walk or ride safely to school, and to better enable adults to walk or ride to work or shopping. The plans should integrate bus routes, sidewalks and crosswalks; thus, requiring sidewalks within ¼ mile of every bus stop and marked crosswalks within a reasonable walk from and to bus stops and should conform to the recommendations approved by the Town Council from NC54/Hamilton Citizens Workgroup.
To develop such comprehensive plans, the Board will need help. We need more staff time assigned to our Board. Currently, we only have 1/3 of a 15 hour/week staff person assigned to us. We need at least a half-time person. Our plans are ambitious, but necessary and in keeping with the goals of the community, so that more staff time for grant writing, for coordination of alternative transit programs, and for research is essential.
The board has identified (not determined total need) almost 100,000 linear feet of sidewalk projects based upon worn foot paths and citizen input. Current cost estimates for sidewalk construction range from an "easy" installation at $10 per linear foot to a "difficult" contract project at $50 per linear foot. Using a middle of the road of $30/LF of sidewalk construction figure and the current adopted CIP (June 2000) with a sidewalk figure of $100,000 for years 1 & 2 and $125,000 for years 3, 4, & 5: In the next five years, we should complete approximately 19,000 linear feet of sidewalk assuming costs do not increase. If funding levels stay at $125,000 (years 3, 4, & 5) and construction costs remain the same, it will take almost 20 years more (total of 25 years) to complete our "identified" projects. This is a conservative estimate. We cannot wait until the year 2025 for these improvements to trickle in.
This assessment does not take into consideration the need for improvements of intersections and the retrofitting of handicapped ramps for many sidewalks at street or driveway intersections. There are existing sidewalks that have no ramps at a street intersection allowing use by handicapped pedestrians or bicycles. The cost of these essential improvements has not been computed at this point in time.
A substantial infusion of money will be needed to improve the pedestrian transportation system in town. The board has determined that the pedestrian infrastructure has been neglected, resulting in spotty pedestrian amenities. The board advises the following steps:
1. Bond Issue.
A bond issue is a high priority since the current monies dedicated for infrastructure implementation is the proverbial "drop in the bucket." The increase in demand on town roads will necessitate the transfer of emphasis from single occupancy vehicles to public transportation, bicycling, and walking. Without an adequate sidewalk connection (and covered shelters, and short headways), the use of public transit is a less attractive alternative. A wholesale and rapid improvement of pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure is relatively inexpensive when compared to the costs of supporting ever increasing motorized transportation, especially when one considers that the desired outcome of increased walking and bicycling reduces the need for motor vehicle infrastructure. Furthermore, unlike traditional motorized infrastructure improvement, there is little danger in releasing sufficient non-motorized latent demand so as to render the improvements at capacity. In other words, a fully connected sidewalk system and network of wide outside lanes completed today will still be adequate in 30 years.
2. Identification of state and federal funding.
In seeking funding, the renewal of the infrastructure must be viewed not only as a capital improvement but also as a health and environmental issue, some of which could be targeted to specific needs. Some potential examples include:
· President's Council on Physical Fitness 93.289: for sidewalks, intersection improvements, and crossing guards for safe walking routes to school and the elimination of bus routes. The Centers for Disease Control has determined that the construction of sidewalks and safe routes to school are a key factor in fighting what has become a national health problem.
· HUD community development block grant (cdbg) entitlement communities program for building public facilities and improvements, such as streets, sidewalks, sewers, water systems, community and senior citizen centers and recreational facilities.
· TEA-21 federal funds
· FTA 20.512: Federal Transit Technical Assistance (Research, Development and Demonstration Project) for the use of new technologies in pedestrian crosswalks.
3. Sidewalk in-lieu fees.
The town could establish an in-lieu fee fund that would be utilized to install sidewalks as a capital improvement project. An in-lieu fee could be collected by the town from the developer instead of the developer installing the sidewalk along the frontage of their property. This would be used in situations where sidewalk construction is not physically constrained or otherwise unfeasible at the time of development, or if sidewalk construction by the developer would result in a discontinuous sidewalk segment. The in-lieu fee would allow funds to be directed to areas where sidewalk construction is a high priority.
· The targeting of sidewalks based upon the sidewalk priority list submitted by the board. Also, the sidewalk deficit raised by citizens in the Walk to School Day survey. SEE APPENDIX 1.
· The integration of bus routes, sidewalks, and crosswalks. Currently, too many bus routes do not have safe access on both outgoing and return trips. Crosswalks should be within a reasonable walk from the bus stops and should conform to the recommendations approved by the Town Council from the NC54/Hamilton Citizen Workgroup.
· Sidewalk and crosswalk installations where residential areas have direct access to shopping centers. In light of recent fatalities, for example, crosswalks accessing University Mall and the Timberlyne Shopping Center are imperative.
· Identification of easements where pedestrian and bicyclist paths would provide access and connections between neighborhoods and shopping centers. Once identified, the paths should take as high a priority as sidewalks along roads.
· Ensure outside lane widths of 15’ from gutter pan edge to line for arterials and collectors where feasible.
· In conjunction with the International Walk to School Day the board proposes a week-long campaign for Alternative Transit Week (the first week of October 2001); a week that would highlight the potential, already in place, to bike, walk and take public transit to school, work and shops. This type of campaign has been very successful in other communities (i.e., Boulder, CO) and would promote the positive aspects of commuting via alternative means in Chapel Hill. In addition, the board would like to man/woman (?) booths at Festival and Apple Chill. COST: $4,700.
· Bicycle and walking education: brochures for promoting walking and bicycling to be distributed at town facilities (similar to the Greenways brochure) and public service announcements in local papers (similar to the Recycle for the Life of the Community). An addition to the town website promoting walking and bicycling. COST: $4,500 (the brochure has already been designed, the cost would be for printing with a "life" of 4 years).
· Enforcement of existing ordinances and traffic laws by the police. The board encourages a more rigorous approach to red-light running, speeding, and other dangerous driving. This results in a safer environment for all travelers, regardless of mode, but is especially important for low speed and vulnerable non-motorists. Survey results from the Walk to School show a widespread concern for drivers speeding, running red lights, failure to yield to pedestrians and crossing guards.
· A town policy for the identification of safe, temporary alternative routes for pedestrians in areas under building construction and road improvements.
· Updates on crashes involving bicycles and pedestrians need to be on-going, allowing the town to identify points where new improvements could be made and to chart the progress of the town's infrastructure. This study would identify the most dangerous intersections in town and give a clear guideline for where monies should be spent for improved safety. COST: $2,600
APPENDIX 1
CHAPEL HILL BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN BOARD
Summary of Walk to School Day Survey
The number of results was disappointing, due in large part to the relatively few schools that actually distributed the flyers. The responses received, however, were detailed--many respondents added information--and showed consistent problems. The board also received two letters that are transcribed and appended. The entire list should be consulted for specifics, but in summary they are as follows:
1. Poor driver behavior is widespread and a number one concern. Speeding, failing to observe school zone laws and crossing guard signals, running stop signs and red lights, failing to yield to pedestrians are all cited as problems.
2. COMMENT: These concerns, from almost all respondents, indicate that enforcement of traffic laws is a very high priority among parents who are dissatisfied with current enforcement practice. An enhancement of policing school zones during the morning and afternoon commutes to school is recommended. If the town approves red-light cameras, the intersections identified in the survey should receive them.
3. Lack of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
COMMENT: This was not a surprise to the board. As a result of the strong request for sidewalks on Seawell School Road, the board has placed this as a high priority project for the regional Transportation Improvement Plan.
4. Maintenance of existing sidewalks (tree and shrub trimming) and crosswalks.
COMMENT: These concerns have been passed on to town staff.
The survey was adapted from the Walkability Checklist (National Highway Traffic Safety Association, USA) http://www.iwalktoschool.org/resource/resources1.htm
Homestead Village to Seawell School (three similar survey responses)
· No sidewalks, paths or shoulders
· Too much traffic
· Need crosswalks
· Drivers drove too fast
· 6 total: needs lots of work
· Call out the National Guard before you walk. It’s a disaster area
Cynthia Dr to Airport to Homestead to Seawell (Bus Route 184)
· No sidewalks, paths or shoulders
· Too much traffic
· Needs striped crosswalks or traffic signals
· Drivers drove too fast
· Needs lots of work, call out the National Guard
· THERE ARE NO SIDEWALKS THAT LEAD TO SEAWELL ELEMENTARY (respondent's emphasis)
Claymore Rd, Rogers Rd, Homestead, Seawell School (four surveys identified this as problem area)
· No sidewalks, paths or shoulders
· Too much traffic
· Homestead is a nightmare to cross, need light at Seawell
· Drivers drove too fast
· Drivers backed out of driveways without looking
· Drivers did not yield to pedestrians
· Drivers turned into people crossing streets
· Sped up to make it through traffic lights or drove through traffic lights
· 6 total: needs lots of work (the second survey gave it a 0 -- call out the National Guard)
Tallyho Trail
· no sidewalks
· no crosswalks
Russell's Ford to Old Fayetteville Road:
· Sidewalks or paths started and stopped
· Intersection problems
Cumberland Road to Estes Dr.
· Sidewalks stopped and started
· Sidewalks is only wide enough for one in places especially across from the Phillips driveway
· Drivers did not yield to people crossing the street
· Drivers turned into people crossing the street
· Drivers drove too fast
· Drivers turning into Phillips are passed on the right where the sidewalk is especially narrow
· We have walked to Estes Hills Elementary through footpaths, and it is impossible with a stroller so now we drive.
· No sidewalks, or they stop and start
· Too much traffic
· Needs a lot of work
Up Estes Drive from Library to Estes School
· Too much traffic
· Lots of small branches and shrubbery blocking part of sidewalk. Sidewalk is already close to car land so every extra inch is needed. Can the town maintenance trim this area?
· More noticeable stripes are needed at crosswalk
· Need curb ramps and sidewalk repair
· Crossing guard has yelled at drivers who turn on red lights or right on red right into us crossing.
· Drivers go too fast
· Drivers try to beat the light
· Our neighborhood intersection would not be as safe if it wasn't for our school crossing guard Sim Bowden. This is his 2nd year with us and we are very fortunate. He is so reliable and does his job well. J. Booker (929-1028)
Elliott Rod between Franklin St and Estes Hills Elementary
· Drivers do not stop at stop signs (Audubon and Elliott)
Standish Drive to Legion Road
· Sidewalks started and stopped
· Would be helpful to have crosswalks where sidewalks end so you can walk on the other side where the sidewalks start again
· No cross lights
· Okay, but needs work
Around Webbwood neighborhood
· No sidewalks, paths or shoulders
· Piles of yard waste and parked cars force pedestrians into the road on Morningside Dr.
· Drivers drove too fast
Colony Lake Subdivision, across 2 old boards set over water pipes, down path to Fountainridge Road to Tinkerbell and Ephesus Church Road to School
· Boards are rotting and moving on the path by Landerwood/Fountainbridge connecting to back of Colony Lake subdivision
· We use this 2-3X/ week to get long walks in. It would be nice to make this a formal connection between the two neighborhoods. The neighborhoods are good [for walking] but the connection is bad. It discourages bike riding and walking to school.
· Legion Road to Ephesus Church from Colony Lake: a continuous sidewalk would allow for walking or biking to shopping, restaurants, and school.
Stoneridge/ Sedgefield
· No sidewalks, paths, or shoulders
· "blind" spots in hilly areas (Longwood Dr, Turkey Farm Rd) where it's hard to see across the street, especially for small children
· Drivers drove too fast (Longwood Dr)
· Drivers do not stop at stop signs, even though most intersections have stop signs
Booker Creek Neighborhood to Eastgate Shopping Center
· Crossing Franklin Street could be improved
Woodhaven to Rolling Rd to S. Lakeshore to Curtis Rd
· Sidewalks stopped and started
· No sidewalks, paths, or shoulders for most of the route
· Needed striped crosswalks or traffic signals
· Poor visibility at Rolling and S. Lakeshore and Curtis
· Total: 6-10 It needs a lot of work
Emory Dr to Longleaf to Churchill to Ephesus School (two similar survey responses)
· No sidewalks, paths or shoulders
· Big puddle accumulates at ramp at Ephesus and Churchill intersection
· Drivers drove too fast
· Drivers don't always stop for crossing guard
· Total: okay, but needs work
Willow Drive to Spruce to Cypress to Eden to Ephesus Church Road (two similar survey responses)
· Sidewalks stopped and started
· Too much traffic moving too fast and cutting through neighborhood
· Low visibility at Cypress and Eden, no sidewalk
· Dangerous turn at Cypress- blind turn for drivers who are going too fast and running stop signs
· No crosswalks
· Drivers need to be more courteous
· Drivers did not yield to people crossing street
· No crossing lights
· We walk to school everyday, but I won't let my child walk without an adult due to the above-mentioned problems. Sidewalks on all the streets along the way to school would be a tremendous help
· Both respondents gave a poor rating
Bennett Road to cross 15/501 to Southern Village to Scroggs Elementary
· No sidewalks, paths, or shoulders
· Crossing 15/501 at Bennett there is no light
· Drivers drove too fast
· Total: 5 Call out the National Guard
Woodland, Dogwood, Westwood
· No sidewalks, paths, or shoulders
· Sidewalks or paths stopped and started
· Drivers did not yield to people crossing
· Drivers drove too fast
· Drivers sped up to make it through traffic lights or drove through red lights
· Crosswalk at Westwood and S. Columbia should be at north of intersection not south AND walk light is needed
Smith Level Road and 15/501
· No sidewalks, paths, or shoulders
· Highway area only, no pedestrian walkways
· Traffic signals made us wait too long or did not give enough time to cross
· No walkways under bridge to FPG crossing
· The two-mile restriction [school bus] should be lifted before somebody gets into an accident
Jones Ferry Road and Damascus Church Road, Smith Level Road (two similar survey responses)
· No sidewalks, paths, or shoulders
· Too much traffic
· No room for bikes which a lot of people try to do
· Need traffic signals
· Drivers speed around bikes--no shoulders-- a huge safety issue
· Drivers do not yield to pedestrians
· Total: 0 these roads are impossible to walk, and dangerous to bike
Sunset Creek to Barrington Hills to McDougle (three similar survey responses)
· Sidewalks stopped and started
· No sidewalks, paths, or shoulders
· Leaning sidewalk on Barrington and Hillsborough
· Total: 11-15 okay, but needs work
Hillsborough Rd to Bruton Dr to McDougle Crosswalk
· Too much traffic
· Path walkway extremely uneven, slanted and narrow
· Our house is across from pathway, traffic extremely fast on Hillsborough Rd.
· Drivers did not yield
· Drove too fast
· Total: 11-15: but needs work
Glen Lennox, crossing 54 to Glenwood (three similar survey responses)
· Traffic signals made us wait too long or did not give us time to cross
· Needed striped crosswalk
· Drivers did not yield to people crossing street
· Drove too fast
· Sped up to make it through traffic lights or drove through red lights
· Total: okay, but needs work
Old Forest Creek cut through (two similar survey responses)
· Crossing Piney Mt Road a big danger
· Drivers drove too fast
· No crosswalks, or crossing lights
Ridgecrest to Old Oxford to Elliot to Estes Hills
· Sidewalks stopped and started (no sidewalk on Ridgecrest)
· Drivers drove too fast
· Commuters on way to work drive too fast
Stratford to Cates Farm (three similar survey responses)
· Too much traffic
· Cars parked in bike lanes forced cyclists onto crowded sidewalk
· Drivers are crazy! Not stopping at stop signs
· Cars are speeding and parked in bikelanes
· Cars doing U-turns in intersection
· Drivers use bike lane near Hillsborough road as Kiss 'N Go lane
· Drivers letting children off at corner block views and make it difficult when to assess when I can cross safely
· Drivers backed out of driveways without looking
· Did not yield to people crossing streets
· Drove too fast
Southern Village (two similar survey results)
· Kildaire Road. Too much confusion. Kids cross at curve which is blind in one direction.
Letters from Parents
10/4/00
Dear Chapel Hill Bi-Ped:
Thank you for supporting "Walk to School Day." I walk with my children to school most days, and feel fortunate that the proximity of our elementary school makes this possible.
It almost wasn't so. In the 1998-1999 redistricting process, we were almost redistricted out of our neighborhood school, 4/10 of a mile from our home. When the redistricting committee received their instructions from Dr. Pederson, maintaining walk zones was not mentioned as a priority. As a result, some children were forced out of a school a mile or less from their home, in favor of a different school a bus ride away, across town.
The redistricting priorities, as identified by Dr. Pederson and the school board, were as follows: minimize number of children moved, eliminate satellite zones, maintain racial balance, and maintain socio-economic balance. If you believe that maintaining school walk zones should be a community priority, I urge you to contact them (Dr. Pederson and the school board members) because we will be redistricting again in the next 2 years, and perhaps they could be persuaded that walking to school is an activity worth preserving.
Sincerely,
Beth Leiro
10/2/00
Thank you for sponsoring this event. I walk my child to school every day, even though we live one block away. The conditions along our part of Estes Dr. are too hazardous, in my opinion, for an unaccompanied child, even my fifth grader.
Cars speed through this area--police only enforce limits when we complain, and then only for a day or two. We have been informed by the town and the state highway dept. that there is no need for traffic services to protect pedestrians because "there have been no fatalities." So to prevent my child from becoming a statistic, we walk together. I am fortunate to be able to do this for my child, but other parents can't.
We need strict enforcement of speed limits and better pedestrian/car barriers. One voice sounding an alert is not very effective. School administrator at Phillips and Estes Hills have told us that this is not a school problem and effectively refuse to advocate for "their" kids.
Thank you for listening.
Lenore Martin
1514 Cumberland Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
92-1221
P.S. Bicycle traffic along the sidewalk also make the walk hazardous.