AGENDA #4h
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to a Petition Requesting Installation of an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing Sign on Raleigh Street
DATE: May 23, 2005
This report responds to a petition requesting that the Council consider installing an “in-street” pedestrian crossing sign at the existing crosswalk on Raleigh Street south of E. Franklin Street near Aldermen Dorm. Please refer to the attached area map and photos (Attachment 1).
We recommend adoption of the attached resolution that would authorize the Manager to install an in-street pedestrian crossing sign on Raleigh Street at the requested location, and at other locations where such signs would be appropriate, as determined by the Manager.
A total of $4,851.00 is currently available for traffic calming in the Capital Improvements Program. If the Council so directs, these funds could be used to purchase the necessary signs.
At its April 25, 2005 Meeting, the Council received a petition from Mr. Alan Rimer, 519 Hooper Lane, requesting that the Council consider installing an in-street pedestrian crossing sign at the existing crosswalk on Raleigh Street south of E. Franklin Street near Aldermen Dorm. A copy of the petition is provided in Attachment 2. In his petition, Mr. Rimer stated that during peak traffic times, cars often do not yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Raleigh Street is a two-lane road that is owned and maintained by the Town. The subject crosswalk is close to the traffic signal located at the intersection of Franklin Street and Raleigh Street, and cars on Raleigh Street often are backed up blocking the crosswalk. Pedestrian crosswalk signs exist on both sides of Raleigh Street at the crosswalk, and the posted speed limit is 25 mph. On-street parking is allowed on east side of Raleigh Street south of the crosswalk and a bus stop is also located adjacent to the cross walk.
Earlier this year, the University asked that the Town relocate the existing northbound pedestrian crossing sign from a utility pole to a location closer to the crosswalk, for better visibility due to the bus stop and on-street parking in the area. Town staff relocated the sign and installed it on a post close to the crosswalk. Our field investigation indicates that the relocated pedestrian crosswalk sign is still sometimes obscured by buses and that additional signs could be useful to warn motorists of the existing crosswalk. We also observed that some vehicles do not yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, as required by State law.
One technique being used in some communities is an in-street pedestrian crossing sign located in the middle of the street adjacent to the crosswalk. According to the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), in-street pedestrian crossing signs may be used to remind drivers that pedestrians have the right-of-way once they have entered an un-signalized pedestrian crossing. Examples of in-street pedestrian crossing signs with “yield” to pedestrians and “stop” for pedestrians messages are provided in Attachment 3. Signs with the “yield” to pedestrians message should be used in North Carolina, according to State law. The signs are designed to recover position following impact by a vehicle, and the cost is approximately $300 per sign not including the installation cost.
Advantages of in-street pedestrian crossing signs
1. Typically will increase the number of opportunities for pedestrians to cross streets by creating gaps in traffic flow.
2. Typically will encourage people to walk.
3. Serve to inform motorists and pedestrians as to who has the right of way.
4. Study data suggests that such signs can improve safety conditions for pedestrians.
Disadvantages of in-street pedestrian crossing signs
1. The lifespan of in-street pedestrian crossing signs that are not protected by a raised median may be a year or less if they are regularly struck by vehicles. (The average lifespan of conventional off-street signs is 10-15 years.)
2. May foster a belief in some pedestrians that all motorists will yield and allow them to cross. (This is also true for conventional roadside pedestrian crossing signs.)
3. If in-street signs are installed only at selected locations, the unintentional message to drivers may be that the particular "rule of the road" applies only to those locations so signed.
4. In-street signs require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure that they are in place and undamaged.
Installation of in-street pedestrian crossing signs has generally proven to be successful in other communities (including Carrboro) to improve pedestrian safety and driver awareness of crosswalks. These signs are approved by Federal Highway Administration and by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for use at unsignalized crosswalks. We have developed guidelines for the use of in-street pedestrian crossing signs based on existing procedures being used successfully by other communities. The suggested guidelines are presented in Attachment 4. If the installation of in-street pedestrian crossing signs is approved by the Council tonight, we will use these guidelines to evaluate conditions at other unsignalized crosswalks in Town.
In 2003, bonds were specifically approved for installation of traffic calming measures as directed by the Council. We do not believe that the bond funds approved for traffic calming would be appropriate for the purchase in-street pedestrian crosswalk signs since they have a relatively short term life expectancy and they would not be capitalized as equipment. The Town Council approved $44,000 for traffic calming devices Townwide in the FY 2002-03 budget and $39,149 was spent on implementing traffic calming measures in several neighborhoods, as directed by the Council. The currently available balance of $4,851 from funds designated for traffic calming projects could be used to purchase pedestrian and other advisory/warning signs.
CONCLUSION
In-street pedestrian crossing signs are effective and can improve pedestrian safety at unsignalized pedestrian crossings. They are approved by the State and by the Federal Highway Administration. If the Council adopts the attached resolution, we will install a sign at the existing crosswalk on Raleigh Street south of E. Franklin Street near Aldermen Dorm. We will also evaluate other unsignalized crosswalks for similar sign installations using the attached Guidelines for Use of In-street Pedestrian Crossing Signs developed by the Town Engineering Department.
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopt the attached resolution directing the Town Manager to install in-street pedestrian crossing signs at the existing crosswalk on Raleigh Street south of E. Franklin Street near Aldermen Dorm, and to evaluate other locations in Town where similar signs would be warranted. If the Council so directs, available funds designated for traffic calming projects in the Capital Improvement Program would be used to purchase the necessary sign(s).
ATTACHMENTS
1. Area Map (p. 5). (p. 6), (p. 7).
2. Mr. Rimer’s Petition (p. 8).
3. Pictures of In-Street Crossing Sign (p. 9).
4. Guidelines for Use of In-Street Pedestrian Crossing Signs (p. 10).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO INSTALL IN-STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNS (2005-05-23/R-7)
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council has received a petition requesting that the Town install an in-street pedestrian crossing sign at a mid-block crosswalk on Raleigh Street; and
WHEREAS, The Town Council is concerned about pedestrian safety at unsignalized mid-block crosswalks and congested intersections in the Town; and
WHEREAS, the in-street pedestrian crossing signs have proven to be effective for improving pedestrian mobility and safety; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration approves of the installation of in-street pedestrian crossing signs at applicable locations; and
WHEREAS, the Council received a report from the Manager recommending installation of in-street pedestrian crossing signs on Raleigh Street and at other locations where warranted;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council herewith authorizes the Manager to purchase and install an in-street pedestrian crossing sign on Raleigh Street south of E. Franklin Street using the funds designated for traffic calming projects in the Capital Improvement Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs the Manager to evaluate other potential locations that could benefit from the installation of in-street pedestrian crossing signs based on the Guidelines for Use of In-street Pedestrian Crossing Signs provided in Attachment 4 of the Manager’s report dated May 23, 2005.
This the 23rd day of May, 2005.