AGENDA #5a
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Report on Traffic Signal Operations at Columbia Street and Rosemary Street
DATE: February 12, 2001
The purpose of this report is to provide specific information on traffic signal operations at the intersection of Columbia Street and Rosemary Street, and to discuss these operations in general terms with regard to the management of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic at intersections.
At the November 13, 2000 Council meeting, a Council member expressed concern that conflicts exist at some intersections between signal indications for vehicles and signal indications for pedestrians. It was specifically questioned whether the southbound right turn arrow on Columbia Street at its intersection with Rosemary Street turns green at the same time that pedestrians receive a “walk” signal for crossing Rosemary Street. The Town Manager was asked to analyze the intersection.
The Council member also requested general information on how conflicts can be reduced between pedestrians and motorized vehicles when traffic signals exhibit green turn arrows for vehicles
Attachments 1 and 2 show the location and lane configuration of the Rosemary/Columbia intersection. We observed the traffic signal operations at this location under a variety of conditions at different times of day, and found no apparent conflicts between the phasing of the vehicular and pedestrian traffic signals. The green arrow for turning right onto Rosemary Street from southbound Columbia Street is activated concurrently with the left turn arrow from eastbound Rosemary Street onto Columbia Street.
During the signal phase when these green turn arrows are activated, the pedestrian signals indicate “Don’t Walk” on the intersection legs where vehicles will be turning. This is the correct signal phasing sequence for this situation, and no conflicting movements will occur provided the appropriate signals are obeyed by both motorized vehicles and pedestrians. All intersections on the Town system with similar signal configurations are designed to operate such that pedestrian movements do not conflict with vehicles turning on a green arrow.
To supplement the traffic signals at the Rosemary/Columbia intersection, we have requested that the State install “Yield to Pedestrians” signs to increase drivers’ awareness of pedestrian activity at this busy location.
The potential for conflicting movements between pedestrians and vehicles can arise at intersections where turns are made during a standard green signal light indication. When the green signal light shows, both pedestrians and vehicles can move across the intersection with the light. In this case, if a vehicle wants to turn, it may encounter pedestrians crossing the street toward which it is turning. In this situation, the pedestrian has the right-of-way and the motorized vehicle is supposed to wait until the pedestrians are clear before completing the turn.
In most cases, this potential for conflict cannot be avoided while still maintaining reasonable intersection capacity for both pedestrians and vehicles. It is typically not feasible to establish a separate protected signal phase for each type and direction of pedestrian and vehicular movement through an intersection. Some shared movements are necessary, as described above, and right-of-way is assigned to allow safe operations provided both drivers and pedestrians follow the signals and obey the law.
Town, University, and State staff are working together to have additional “Watch for Pedestrians” and “Yield to Pedestrians” signs erected at many locations throughout the Town and campus to increase awareness and safety where pedestrian and vehicular traffic routinely coexist. We think that proper sign and signal installations, coupled with education and enforcement efforts, can provide a safe and functional environment for both pedestrians and vehicles in Chapel Hill.
We believe that the Rosemary Street/Columbia Street intersection is operating properly, as designed, and there are no signal-directed conflicting movements between vehicles and pedestrians that we are aware of at this location or at similar locations in Chapel Hill or Carrboro. We will work with the State to implement “Yield to Pedestrians” signs at the Rosemary/Columbia intersection.
We are making efforts to improve both sign and signal indications throughout Town to enhance pedestrian safety and mobility while coexisting with motorized vehicles.
1. Area Map (p. 3).
2. Lane Configuration Map (p. 4).