School Road Safety Audit Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue Fieldwork: March 7, 2018

Muscogee County Columbus, GA

Report Finalized: July 2019

Table of Contents 1. Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Safe Routes to Schools Overview ...... 3 1.2 What is a School Road Safety Audit? ...... 4 1.2.1 Purpose ...... 4 1.2.2 Process ...... 4 2. Study Area ...... 5 2.1 Area Characteristics ...... 5 2.2 School Enrollment ...... 7 2.3 Walking and Bicycling Distances ...... 7 2.4 School RSA Study Corridors ...... 9 2.5 Existing Conditions of Study Corridor Segments ...... 11 2.6 Characteristics of Key Intersections ...... 11 3. Recent and Pending Projects ...... 12 3.1 Recent Projects ...... 12 3.2 Pending Projects ...... 12 4. Crash Data ...... 12 4.1 Summary of Crashes ...... 12 4.1.1. Common Locations of Crashes ...... 13 5. Findings and Recommendations ...... 16 5.1 Corridor: Buena Vista Road ...... 16 5.2 Common Observations ...... 16 5.2.1 Corridor: Buena Vista Road between Interstate 185 and Dogwood Road/Rosewood Drive ...... 17 5.1.3 Intersection: Buena Vista Road at Reynolds Road and Celia Drive ...... 19 5.2.2 Intersection: Buena Vista Road at Wright Drive and Hunt Avenue ...... 20 5.2.3 Intersection: Buena Vista Road at Lake Rushin Drive ...... 22 5.2.4 Corridor: Buena Vista Road between McBride Drive and Belvedere Drive ...... 24 5.3 Corridor: Hunt Avenue ...... 26 5.3.1 Adjacent Neighborhood Streets ...... 28 5.4 Potential Projects ...... 30 5.4.1 Project #1: Hunt Avenue and Empire Street ...... 30 5.4.2 Project #2: Buena Vista Road at Wright Drive and Hunt Avenue ...... 30 6. Conclusions ...... 32

Appendix A School Prioritization Methodology Appendix B School RSA Invite/Attendees Appendix C Crash Analysis Data Appendix D School RSA Maps Appendix E School RSA Recommendations Appendix F School RSA Prioritized Recommendations Appendix G Safe Routes to School: Road Safety Survey Sample and Results

1. Introduction This report was created in accordance with the FHWA School Road Safety Audit guidelines and combines findings from crash data analysis, local input, and field observations to form recommendations for improvements in safety along the corridor. The recommendations are developed to address concerns for all types of road users. This audit breaks out the safety recommendations by safety impact, level of effort, time, and cost to help guide the implementation process.

Figure 1. North Clayton School RSA Study Area A School Road Safety Audit (“School RSA”) for Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy was conducted on March 7, 2018 by Toole Design Group, AECOM, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Muscogee County School District, Columbus Police Department and Columbus Consolidated Government. The audit evaluated Buena Vista Road from Belvedere Drive to Interstate 185 and Hunt Avenue from Buena Vista Road to Langdon Street. The study area is within Muscogee County, Georgia.

Most of the recommendations from this School RSA describe concerns such as lighting, sight distance, speeding, walkability, channelization, and signage. Many of these concerns could be met with short- term, intermediate and long-term solutions, which would allow maintaining agencies the opportunity to prioritize and coordinate implementing safety improvements as appropriate.

Several short-term measures include reviewing signage, improving lighting, and repairing pavement markers. Long-term recommendations include improving channelization as well as installing continuous pedestrian facilities along example roadway. The report also reviews safety concerns for each intersection along the corridor and provides specific improvements.

This School RSA report will assist GDOT and local city and county governments in proactively organizing goals for future safety improvements. Through implementing the recommendations in this report and prioritizing user safety in future projects along the corridor, safe roads can be made safer for all roadway users, especially students walking and bicycling to school can be addressed. The SRTS team suggests that the recommendations stated in this report be implemented as resources become available. The responsible agency(s) should document any decisions to modify or eliminate recommendations based on engineering judgement or lack of feasibility.

1.1 Safe Routes to Schools Overview

The federal SRTS program was established in The Six E’s 2005 under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA- LU), Engineering strategies create safer environments for and later re-grouped with other bicycle and walking and bicycling to school through improvements pedestrian programs under “Transportation to the infrastructure surrounding schools. These Alternatives Program” with the passing of Moving improvements focus on reducing motor vehicle speeds Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and conflicts with pedestrians and bicyclists, and in 2012. In December 2015, the Fixing America’s establishing safer and fully accessible crossings, Surface Transportation Act (the FAST Act) renamed the Transportation Alternatives Program as the walkways, trails, and bikeways. Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Set- Education programs target children, parents, Aside. The Safe Routes to School program in Georgia is funded with federal Highway Safety Improvement caregivers and neighbors, teaching how to walk and Program (HSIP) dollars. The State of Georgia does bicycle safely and informing drivers on how to drive provide some matching funds for a portion of the more safely around pedestrians and bicyclists. federal HSIP dollars. No “stand alone” state dollars Education programs can also incorporate health and are currently being used for the program. environment messages.

The core purpose of SRTS programs has always Enforcement strategies increase the safety of been the following: children bicycling and walking to school by helping to change unsafe behaviors of drivers, as well as • to facilitate the planning, development, and pedestrians and bicyclists. A community approach to implementation of projects and activities enforcement involves students, parents or that will improve safety and reduce traffic, caregivers, school personnel, crossing guards, and fuel consumption, and air pollution in the law enforcement officers. vicinity of schools • To make bicycling and walking to school a Encouragement activities promote walking and safer and more appealing transportation bicycling to school to children, parents and community alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and members. Events such as Walk to School Day, active lifestyle from an early age. contests such as a Frequent Walker/Bicyclist challenge, or on-going programs such as a Walking • To enable and encourage children, including School Bus or Bicycle Train can promote and those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to encourage walking and bicycling as a popular way to school safely. get to school. The Safe Routes to School program in Georgia is Evaluation is an important component of SRTS funded with federal Highway Safety Improvement programs that can be incorporated into each of the Program (HSIP) dollars. The State of Georgia does provide some matching funds for a portion of the other E’s. Collecting information before and after federal HSIP dollars. No “stand alone” state dollars program activities or projects are implemented allow are currently being used for the program. In keeping communities to track progress and outcomes, and with best practices, the Georgia SRTS program provide information to guide program development. emphasizes a comprehensive approach to SRTS, being sure to address the “Six E’s": Engineering, Equity is an important goal of the SRTS program, in Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, Evaluation that improvements and programs should benefit all and Equity. (see sidebar). demographic groups. Safe, healthy, and fair outcomes are provided for students in disadvantaged groups In fall 2017, GDOT selected twenty-four schools to such as those with limited opportunities or disabilities. receive a School Road Safety Audit (School RSA) through the Georgia SRTS Program. This report Excerpted from “Safe Routes to School: A Transportation presents the results of one of these School RSAs Legacy”, the report of the National Safe Routes to School which were conducted between December 2017 and Task Force February 2018.

3 1.2 What is a School Road Safety Audit? 1.2.1 Purpose A School RSA is a formal safety performance examination of a roadway by an independent audit team. The purpose of a School RSA is to provide an in-depth understanding of crash causes and countermeasures prior to design or construction. The School RSA allows community members and agencies to proactively engage in a conversation about road safety with the leadership of an independent party. This report will qualitatively estimate and report on potential road safety issues and identify opportunities for improvements in safety specifically for K-12 students traveling to school by walking or bicycling.

1.2.2 Process A School RSA typically follows an eight-step process as seen below in Figure 2.

Figure 2. The School Road Safety Audit Process

The selected schools were identified as locations for a School RSA due to factors such as high volumes of nearby traffic, crash history near the school, areas with a relatively larger school-age population, and socioeconomic factors. Detailed methodology regarding the data-driven approach to selecting schools for a School RSA is included in Appendix A.

Selecting a School RSA team requires finding an independent group of qualified professionals and local citizens. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) selected AECOM and Toole Design Group to lead the School RSA team in identifying practices and preparing recommendations to improve safety at each selected school. While there is an opportunity to receive public involvement through surveys and meetings, the School RSA team decided to conduct the School RSA with law enforcement officers and GDOT personnel with both representation from the central safety office out of Atlanta and GDOT District offices appropriate to each school.

However, a survey was conducted at each school before the School RSA to identify problems known to stakeholders such as teachers and parents. The survey is included in Appendix B.

2. Study Area Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy are located within a half-mile of each other, and a School RSA was conducted along walking and bicycle routes near both schools. The following report will cover the existing conditions of the study area, findings and observations from the field review, and recommendations to improve safety along the corridor. A field review was performed on March 7, 2018, for Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy by an independent group of traffic engineers, planners, school staff, police officers, and local citizens. The full list of participants in the School RSA is included in Appendix C. The goal of this field review was to complete a School Road Safety Audit (School RSA) of walking and bicycling routes near Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy, as well as to proactively address safety concerns. This section describes the study area characteristics, school enrollment and walking distances, and existing conditions of study corridors chosen for the School RSA.

2.1 Area Characteristics Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy are part of the Muscogee County School District in Columbus, Georgia. The School RSA study area bounds are located east of Columbus, Georgia, east of Interstate 185. The area is suburban with low-density residential neighborhoods along both sides of Buena Vista Road. Buena Vista Road is a commercial corridor with a variety of businesses between Interstate 185 and Floyd Road

Figure 3. Columbus general location study area map

2.2 School Enrollment Lonnie Jackson Academy and Rothschild Middle School are located adjacent to the commercial activity on Buena Vista Road.

Table 1: Lonnie Jackson Academy enrollment and demographics, 2018

Metric Grade Students Percent (%) PK 129 26.7 KG 68 14.1 1 43 8.9 Enrollment by Grade 2 64 13.2 3 58 12.1 4 58 12.1 5 62 12.9 Likely to Walk or Bike to Total 145 30.0 School* Free/Reduced Lunch Total 457 94.8% Total Enrollment Total 482 100.0

*Students likely to walk due to grade-level and socioeconomic factors. Students living within the walk zone in households with no motor vehicle are more likely to walk or bicycle to school.

There are 482 students enrolled in Lonnie Jackson Academy between PK and 5th grades. Over 94 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Table 2: Rothschild Middle School, 2018

Metric Grade Students Percent (%) 6 190 35.9 Enrollment by Grade 7 166 31.4 8 173 32.7 Likely to Walk or Bike to Total 58 11.0 School* Free/Reduced Lunch Total 499 94.3 Total Enrollment Total 529 100.0

There are 529 students enrolled in Rothschild Middle School across sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Over 94 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

2.3 Walking and Bicycling Distances This section provides context for why certain routes were chosen for the School RSA, based on logical routes to school by currently enrolled students.

Approximately 4 percent of students live within one half-mile of Rothschild Middle School and 19.9 percent live within one mile. All students within one mile and many of the additional students living within two miles are located within a reasonable distance to walk or bike to school. For these students, existing physical barriers and safety perceptions may prevent families from making the choice to walk or bike as the preferred mode of transportation to and from school each day. Figure 4 shows the location of Rothschild Middle School and the one mile walk zone around the school. the irregular boundaries show one-half mile and one-mile catchment areas assuming

7 trips use the road network.

Figure 4. Rothschild Middle School Walksheds

Figure 5 shows the location of Lonnie Jackson Academy and student residences within one half mile and one mile. The irregular boundaries show one-half mile and one-mile catchment areas assuming trips use the road network. Approximately 12 percent of students live within one-half mile of Lonnie Jackson Academy and 39.9 percent live within one-mile.

Figure 5. Lonnie Jackson Academy Walksheds 2.4 School RSA Study Corridors Critical walking and bicycling routes were identified for Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy by identifying a one-half mile walk boundary for each school. Absent student address data, a desktop survey was performed to identify residential areas within the one-half mile walk boundary for the school. The roadways connecting the residential areas to the schools became the focus of the school road safety audit. See Figure 6.

Figure 6. Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy Study Corridors

2.5 Existing Conditions of Study Corridor Segments The characteristics of the key walking and bicycling routes near Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy are summarized in Tables 3 and 4. Posted speeds in the study area range from 25 mph to 40 mph. Buena Vista Road is the most heavily traveled route in the study area and is posted at the highest speed. Sidewalks are present, are but often disconnected. No bicycle facilities are within the study area.

Table 3: Study Corridor Segment Characteristics

2016 Traffic Posted Route Roadway Classification Volume Speed Buena Vista Principal Arterial 30,400 40 mph Road Hunt Avenue Local N/A 25 mph

Table 4: Study Corridor Segment Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities

Mid-Block Bicycle Route Sidewalks Crossings Facilities Signage Buena Vista Road Present, Present Not Present School zone Disconnected Hunt Avenue Not Present, Not Present Not Present School zone Disconnected

2.6 Characteristics of Key Intersections Several signal-controlled intersections are in the study area. All other Clock Reference Intersection Diagram intersections are two-way stop controlled. Four of the signal-controlled intersections were evaluated for sidewalk, crosswalk and sidewalk ramps. The figure on the right provides a guide to the location of sidewalks, crosswalks and ramps at each intersection. Sidewalks can be located a total of eight locations on the clock diagram: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, or 11. Crosswalks can be located at a total of four locations on the clock diagram: 3, 6, 9, or 12, which refer to the vehicle way crossed. Ramps can be located at a total of eight locations on the clock diagram: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 or 11; which refer to the ramp facing towards that clock number. As an example, a pedestrian walking northbound on the eastern side of the diagram would use sidewalk section 5, then ramp 5, then crosswalk 3, then ramp 1, and finally sidewalk section 1.

Table 5. Key Intersection Characteristics, confirmed in the field

Sidewalks Ramp Intersection Control Crosswalk Present Locations Locations Buena Vista Road @ 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, Interstate 185 (east Signal 12, 3 4 10 intersection) Buena Vista Road @North Linden Drive Signal 2, 4, 8, 3, 9 none

Sidewalks Ramp Intersection Control Crosswalk Present Locations Locations

Buena Vista Road @ Rosewood Drive/Dogwood Signal 2, 4, 5, 8 3, 9 8, 10 Drive

Buena Vista Road @ Hunt 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, Signal 12, 6 5, 7, 10, 11 Avenue/Wright Drive 11

Buena Vista Road @ Lake Signal 2, 4, 8, 10, 11 10 1, 11 Rushin Drive

Buena Vista Road @ Floyd Signal 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 12 2, 8, 10 Road

Buena Vista Road @ Thyer None 2, 10 None 2, 11 Avenue

3. Recent and Pending Projects Recent and pending projects were researched via GDOT’s GeoPI website (www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/Project) as well as in discussions with District 3 GDOT personnel. No pending projects were found on GDOT’s website.

3.1 Recent Projects No recent projects have been completed within the study area along Buena Vista Road or Hunt Avenue.

3.2 Pending Projects According to Muscogee County officials, the Buena Vista Road interchange with Interstate 185 is scheduled to become a diverging diamond intersection within the next five (5) years. Otherwise, no projects are pending within the study area along Buena Vista Road or Hunt Avenue. 4. Crash Data 4.1 Summary of Crashes Crash data was downloaded from the GDOT Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS) database for all crashes within a half-mile circular area of each school, occurring between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016, on weekdays between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. During this period, a total of 66 crashes were recorded. Table 6 below summarizes the crash data by collision type and year.

Out of 66 crashes, 21 were rear end crashes, 30 were angle crashes, seven were sideswipe crashes, and 3 were head on crashes. Eleven injuries and no fatalities were reported during the five-year period. The crash data shows that there was an average of 22 crashes per year between 2012 and 2016.

Nearly all the crashes occurred on the roadway as a collision between motor vehicles, while four of the crashes queried involved a pedestrian-vehicular interaction. The factors listed for these crashes include “Failed to Yield” and “Other”.

Table 6. Columbus Study Area Crash Data Collision Type 2014 2015 2016 Total Angle 16 8 6 30 Head On - 3 - 3 Not A Collision with Motor Vehicle 4 1 - 5 Rear End 10 4 7 21 Sideswipe-Opposite Direction 1 - 1 2 Sideswipe-Same Direction 2 2 1 5 Total Crashes 33 18 15 66 Total Non-Fatal Injuries 5 2 4 11 Total Fatalities 0 0 0 0 Average Crashes Per Year - - - 22

4.1.1. Common Locations of Crashes While it is important to focus on the entire corridor during this School RSA, most of the reported crashes occurred at three intersections:

• Buena Vista Road and Lake Rushin Drive • Buena Vista Road and Floyd Road • Buena Vista Road and Dogwood Drive Figure 7 displays a heat map of all crashes along the study corridors. While many crash types were evenly distributed throughout the study area or had no distinct pattern, certain types of crashes occurred more frequently at specific intersections. Most angle crashes happened along Buena Vista Road, with a cluster around the intersections of Floyd Road. Many rear-end crashes occurred at Floyd Road, Lake Rushin Drive, Hunt Avenue and between Woodburn Drive and Piedmont Drive. Finally, most sideswipe crashes occurred along Buena Vista Road between Wright Drive and Floyd Road. All crash maps are available in Appendix C.

Figure 7. Crash Locations Heat Map

Figure 8. Crash Locations within half-mile and one-mile walksheds

Also shown on the map are crashes within ½ mile circular area of each school occurring between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016 on weekdays between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, using data from the Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS) accessed October 2017.

5. Findings and Recommendations

A field review was performed on March 7, 2018, for Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy by an independent group of traffic engineers, police officers, and school officials. The full list of participants in the School RSA is included in Appendix C. The goal of this field review was to complete a School Road Safety Audit (School RSA) of walking and bicycling routes near the two schools, as well as to proactively address safety concerns.

The following findings and recommendations were recorded from the field study. The photos shown below were taken during this field study to assist in displaying the observations. The format below will include a list of findings and observations with pictures to aid what was seen in the field. Recommendations will then be displayed in a table format and will be rated by Safety Benefit, Level of Effort, Time Frame, and Cost. Table 7 indicates the meaning of each rating.

Findings and recommendations for each major roadway in the study area are described in sections 5.3 - 5.8. Each section begins with overall corridor findings along that roadway, then describes findings at each intersection.

Table 7. Legend for Recommendations Ratings

Safety Benefit Time Frame Cost

Low Short Term Low Minimal Impact to pedestrian safety 1 to 6 months $0 to $100,000

Moderate Intermediate Moderate Noticeable improvement to 6 to 24 months $100,000 to $300,000 pedestrian safety

High Long Term High Significant improvement to Greater than 24 months Greater than $300,000 pedestrian safety

5.1 Corridor: Buena Vista Road The audit team evaluated Buena Vista Road from the eastern intersection with Interstate 185 to the Belvedere Drive intersection, concentrating on the corridor, as well as individual intersections. The observations of the audit team are listed below. Recommendations were generated based on three criteria: safety benefit, timeframe and cost. Safety benefit and cost were rated as high, moderate and low. Timeframe was rated as short term, intermediate and long term. 5.2 Common Observations The following observations were documented along the entire length of roadways in the study area:

1. Most sidewalks throughout the corridor are not ADA compliant. Sidewalk ramps are either lacking or non-compliant, those present did not have detectable warning surfaces. 2. Pedestrian signal heights and school zone lights are higher than required height. Many signs are set lower than the required height throughout the project corridor. 3. Sidewalk gaps exist between Belvedere Drive and McBride Drive along the south side of Buena Vista Road and between Woodburn Drive and I-185 interchange. 4. Sidewalks are in need of maintenance by removing overgrown grass and sediment.

5. Drainage inlets and basins throughout the corridor are showing signs of settling and are creating tripping hazards within the sidewalk path. 6. Crosswalks throughout the study area are faded or not installed. 5.2.1 Corridor: Buena Vista Road between Interstate 185 and Dogwood Road/Rosewood Drive There are plans to convert the Buena Vista Road intersection with Interstate 185 to a diverging diamond intersection, although the construction date has been determined. With no construction date pending, the intersection design recommendations below can be incorporated into the intersection redesign. Some short-term recommendations will improve pedestrian safety and access and could be installed prior to the complete intersection reconstruction.

Table 8. Corridor-wide Recommendations

Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendation Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Install sidewalk between I-185 Long Buena Columbus- High I-185 NB bridge and Woodburn Drive 185052 Vista Muscogee High (More than Ramp along the northside of Buena ($200K +) Road Public Works 24 months) Vista Road. Buena Analyze making it a Right- Columbus- Intermediate Moderate 185028 Vista Linden Circle in/Right-Out due to proximity to Muscogee Moderate (7 - 24 ($20K - Road Interstate and sight distance. Public Works mos.) $200K) Buena Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Pembrook Short 185076 Vista and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road surfaces. Public Works $200K) Buena Columbus- Low Pembrook Short 185077 Vista Restripe all crosswalks. Muscogee High ($0K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Buena Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Intermediate Moderate N. Linden 185049 Vista and add detectable warning Muscogee High (7 - 24 ($20K - Drive Road surfaces. Public Works mos.) $200K) Raise the pedestrian push Buena buttons on the north side of Columbus- Low N. Linden Short 185050 Vista Buena Vista Road Currently are Muscogee Moderate ($0K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road approximately 2.5-3' above the Public Works $20K) ground. Buena Rainbow Install gore striping at eastern Columbus- Low Short 185025 Vista Supermarket driveway to better delineate car Muscogee Moderate ($0K - (4 - 6 mos.) Road Driveway movements. Public Works $20K) Buena Rainbow Columbus- Low Short 185026 Vista Supermarket Install 'Right lane ends' signage. Muscogee Moderate ($0K - (4 - 6 mos.) Road Driveway Public Works $20K) Convert driveway access to Buena Rainbow Columbus- Moderate Right-In/Right-Out only. Install Short 185027 Vista Supermarket Muscogee Moderate ($20K - median, if necessary, to prevent (4 - 6 mos.) Road Driveway Public Works $200K) left-hand turns. Buena Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Woodburn Short 185074 Vista and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road surfaces. Public Works $200K) Buena Columbus- Low Woodburn Short 185075 Vista Restripe all crosswalks. Muscogee High ($0K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Install truck apron to reduce Buena vehicle speeds but to allow Columbus- Intermediate Moderate Dogwood 185022 Vista existing bus movements. Muscogee High (7 - 24 ($20K - Drive Road Vehicles are making the right Public Works mos.) $200K) turn at excessive speeds.

Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendation Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Realign cross walks across Buena Vista Road and provide Buena Columbus- Low Dogwood directional ramps. Currently the Short 185023 Vista Muscogee High ($0K - Drive crosswalks stop within the (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) intersection. Would require the shifting of existing stop bars. Buena Install 'Countdown' pedestrian Columbus- Low Dogwood Short 185048 Vista signals for crossing Buena Vista Muscogee High ($0K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road Road Public Works $20K) Buena Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Piedmont Short 185072 Vista and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road surfaces. Public Works $200K) Buena Columbus- Low Piedmont Short 185073 Vista Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K)

Buena Vista Road has numerous sidewalk gaps, especially along the north side of the corridor from Interstate 185 to Woodburn Drive.

Buena Vista Road generally lacks crosswalks throughout the corridor, as above, at Pembrook Drive. 5.1.3 Intersection: Buena Vista Road at Reynolds Road and Celia Drive Buena Vista Road between Reynolds Road and Celia Drive can undergo minor improvements to create safer conditions for walking and bicycling. The slight vertical curve on Reynolds Road limits the sight distance of motorists approaching Buena Vista Road. The addition of advanced pedestrian warning signs will help improve crossing conditions for pedestrians at this intersection.

Responsible Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendations Cost Agency Benefit Frame Sight distance issue due to the vertical Buena Columbus- Short Low Reynolds curve approaching Buena Vista Road 185068 Vista Muscogee High (4 - 6 ($0K - Road Add advanced pedestrian warning Road Public Works mos.) $20K) signs. Buena Columbus- Short Moderate Reynolds Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add 185069 Vista Muscogee High (4 - 6 ($20K - Road detectable warning surfaces. Road Public Works mos.) $200K) Long Buena Columbus- Moderate Reynolds Close unused driveway on north side of (More 185070 Vista Muscogee Moderate ($20K - Road Buena Vista Road than 24 Road Planning $200K) months) Buena Columbus- Short Low Reynolds 185071 Vista Restripe all crosswalks. Muscogee High (4 - 6 ($0K - Road Road Public Works mos.) $20K) Buena Columbus- Short Moderate Celia Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add 185066 Vista Muscogee High (4 - 6 ($20K - Drive detectable warning surfaces. Road Public Works mos.) $200K)

Responsible Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendations Cost Agency Benefit Frame Sight distance issue due to the vertical Buena Columbus- Short Low Celia curve approaching Buena Vista Road 185067 Vista Muscogee High (4 - 6 ($0K - Drive Add advanced pedestrian warning Road Public Works mos.) $20K) signs.

Crosswalks at side streets, like Celia Drive (above) need to be restriped along Buena Vista Road. 5.2.2 Intersection: Buena Vista Road at Wright Drive and Hunt Avenue The intersection of Buena Vista Road at Hunt Avenue and Wright Drive is the area closest intersection to Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy. The Hunt Avenue/Wright Drive intersection experiences the most school-related traffic, both motorized and pedestrian. The two roads end at Buena Vista Road in an offset intersection, but both roads share a signalized intersection at Buena Vista Road. This offset intersection creates a confusing situation for pedestrians as to where to safely cross Buena Vista Road. A pedestrian bridge is available which guides pedestrians over Buena Vista Road between Hunt Avenue and Wright Drive. The bridge is not ADA-compliant, therefore no one in wheelchairs may access the bridge.

Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendation Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Install additional school sign to Columbus- Low Buena Hunt promote entering school Short 185016 Muscogee High ($0K - Vista Road Avenue zone/increase (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K) visibility/wayfinding. Install additional warning signs to promote using pedestrian bridge Columbus- Low Buena Hunt Short 185017 and not directly crossing Buena Muscogee Moderate ($0K - Vista Road Avenue (4 - 6 mos.) Vista Road However, pedestrian Public Works $20K) bridge is not ADA compliant. Columbus- Long Buena Hunt Replace pedestrian bridge with High 185018 Muscogee High (More than Vista Road Avenue ADA compliant bridge ($200K +) Public Works 24 months) Eliminate right turn lane into Columbus- Long Buena Hunt O'Reilly Auto Parts store to High 185019 Muscogee High (More than Vista Road Avenue narrow pedestrian crossing ($200K +) Public Works 24 months) distance of Buena Vista Road. Low Buena Hunt Install new crosswalk crossing GDOT OTO / Short 185020 High ($0K - Vista Dr Avenue Buena Vista and new ramps. Columbus- (4 - 6 mos.) Muscogee $20K) Review timing for southbound Columbus- Low Buena Hunt left turns onto Buena Vista Road Short 185021 Muscogee High ($0K - Vista Road Avenue and include lead pedestrian (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K) interval phase Add 'School Zone' signage and Muscogee Moderate Buena Hunt pavement markings along Buena County Short 185038 High ($20K - Vista Road Avenue Vista Road to indicate school School (4 - 6 mos.) $200K) entrance. District Replace all sidewalk ramps to be Columbus- Intermediate Moderate Buena Hunt 185039 ADA-compliant, including Muscogee High (7 - 24 ($20K - Vista Road Avenue detectable warning surfaces. Public Works mos.) $200K) Columbus- Low Buena Hunt Remove exposed wire hanging Short 185040 Muscogee High ($0K - Vista Road Avenue from the power pole. (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K) Intersections are approximately ~200ft apart due to the offset Hunt configuration of the intersection. Columbus- Low Buena Avenue / Short 185041 Coordinate with local jurisdiction Muscogee High ($0K - Vista Road Wright (4 - 6 mos.) to provide adequate signage and Public Works $20K) Drive prohibit motor vehicle movements, if needed. Install flexible delineators or Columbus- Low Buena Wright median island to prohibit Short 185042 Muscogee High ($0K - Vista Road Drive westbound left turn onto Wright (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K) Dr. Lower the pedestrian push Columbus- Low Buena Wright Short 185043 button on the SE quadrant to be Muscogee Moderate ($0K - Vista Road Drive (4 - 6 mos.) ADA compliant Public Works $20K) Replace all sidewalk ramps to be Columbus- Intermediate Moderate Buena Wright 185044 ADA-compliant, including Muscogee Moderate (7 - 24 ($20K - Vista Road Drive detectable warning surfaces. Public Works mos.) $200K) Columbus- Low Buena Wright Short 185045 Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - Vista Road Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K)

21 Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendation Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit

Repair cracked and settling Columbus- Low Buena Wright Short 185046 sidewalk in front of the bank so it Muscogee Moderate ($0K - Vista Road Drive (4 - 6 mos.) is ADA compliant. Public Works $20K) Construct sidewalk to connect existing sidewalk along Buena Columbus- Low Buena Wright Short 185047 Vista Road and along the Muscogee High ($0K - Vista Road Drive (4 - 6 mos.) southwest side of Wright Drive to Public Works $20K) Goodson Drive.

The pedestrian bridge at the Wright Drive and Hunt Avenue intersection with Buena Vista Road is not ADA-compliant and inaccessible to those in wheelchairs. Sidewalk connections from the bridge to the school should be considered. 5.2.3 Intersection: Buena Vista Road at Lake Rushin Drive Buena Vista Road at Lake Rushin Drive has a median island which both improves and detracts from pedestrian safety. The island located on the westbound side of Buena Vista Road acts to reduce the crossing distance of Buena Vista Road while allowing right-turning vehicles from southbound Lake Rushin Drive to maintain higher speeds.

22 Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendation Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Buena Columbus- Intermediate Moderate Lake Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and 185033 Vista Muscogee Moderate (7 - 24 ($20K - Rushin Dr. add detectable warning surfaces. Road Public Works mos.) $200K) Buena Construct directional curb ramps Columbus- Intermediate Low Lake 185034 Vista within the concrete island to cross Muscogee Moderate (7 - 24 ($0K - Rushin Dr. Road Buena Vista Road. Public Works mos.) $20K) Buena Columbus- Low Lake Short 185035 Vista Restripe all crosswalks. Muscogee High ($0K - Rushin Dr. (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Buena Columbus- Intermediate Low Lake Install 'Countdown' pedestrian 185036 Vista Muscogee High (7 - 24 ($0K - Rushin Dr. signals. Road Public Works mos.) $20K) Remove island and reduce curb Buena Columbus- Long Moderate Lake radius for southbound right turn 185037 Vista Muscogee High (More than ($20K - Rushin Dr. lane to reduce pedestrian crossing Road Public Works 24 months) $200K) distance.

The Lake Rushin Drive intersection with Buena Vista Road is difficult to pedestrians to cross as right-turning vehicles from Lake Rushin Drive travel at a high rate of speed. Reconfiguring the intersection without the island would improve conditions for pedestrians.

23 5.2.4 Corridor: Buena Vista Road between McBride Drive and Belvedere Drive Buena Vista Road changes in context east of McBride Drive. Buena Vista Road’s commercial corridor ends at McBride Drive with lower density development eastward. The lower density development leads to longer pedestrian trips, with fewer connections between streets or trail connections forcing pedestrians to travel to and along Buena Vista Road. Recommendations here address pedestrian safety needs traveling along and across Buena Vista Road.

Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendation Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Buena Church Mid- Columbus- Low Update pedestrian crossing Short 185009 Vista Block Muscogee Moderate ($0K - signage. (4 - 6 mos.) Road Crossing Public Works $20K) Buena Church Mid- GDOT OTO / Intermediate Moderate Install RRFB at the existing 185010 Vista Block Columbus- Moderate (7 - 24 ($20K - striped crosswalk. Road Crossing Muscogee mos.) $200K) Install additional pedestrian Buena Walmart Columbus- Low warning signs for channelized Short 185012 Vista Neighborhood Muscogee Moderate ($0K - right turn into Walmart (4 - 6 mos.) Road Market Public Works $20K) Neighborhood Market. Relocate crosswalk to the west Buena Floyd Columbus- Low of McBride Dr. Provide Short 185013 Vista Rd./McBride Muscogee High ($0K - designated crossing time for (4 - 6 mos.) Road Dr. Public Works $20K) pedestrians. Buena Floyd Redesign intersection to remove Columbus- Long High 185014 Vista Rd./McBride the offset between the two Muscogee High (More than ($200K +) Road Dr. roads. Public Works 24 months) Buena Vacant Columbus- Intermediate Moderate Make driveway a Right-in/Right- 185015 Vista Walmart Muscogee Moderate (7 - 24 ($20K - out. Install median if necessary. Road Driveway Public Works mos.) $200K) Buena Floyd Columbus- Low Short 185029 Vista Rd./McBride Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - (4 - 6 mos.) Road Dr. Public Works $20K) Buena Floyd Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Intermediate Moderate 185030 Vista Rd./McBride and add detectable warning Muscogee High (7 - 24 ($20K - Road Dr. surfaces. Public Works mos.) $200K) Shift stop bar to the east to Buena Floyd provide directional ramps across Columbus- Low Short 185031 Vista Rd./McBride Buena Vista Rd. Evaluate and Muscogee Moderate ($0K - (4 - 6 mos.) Road Dr. closed driveway to provide Public Works $20K) sidewalk ramp. Buena Columbus- Low Cap and raise utility box within Short 185081 Vista Krystal Muscogee Moderate ($0K - the sidewalk. (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Buena Columbus- Low Restripe crosswalks (All) and Short 185064 Vista Bismark Drive Muscogee High ($0K - stop bar. (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Buena Columbus- Low Eastwood Short 185065 Vista Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Buena Stripe crosswalks if the sidewalk Columbus- Low Short 185060 Vista Patricia Drive gap in this location is Muscogee High ($0K - (4 - 6 mos.) Road constructed. Public Works $20K)

24 Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendation Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit

Buena Columbus- Low Sturkie Install pedestrian signage to Short 185005 Vista Muscogee Moderate ($0K - Avenue yield to pedestrians. (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Buena Intermediate Moderate Sturkie Convert the deceleration lane METRA 185006 Vista High (7 - 24 ($20K - Avenue into a bus stop location. Transit Road mos.) $200K) Install approximately 3500 feet of Buena sidewalk along the south side of Columbus- Long Moderate Sturkie 185008 Vista Buena Vista Road from Muscogee High (More than ($20K - Avenue Road Belvedere Drive to McBride Public Works 24 months) $200K) Drive. Buena Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Sturkie Short 185057 Vista and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - Avenue (4 - 6 mos.) Road surfaces. Public Works $200K) Buena Columbus- Low Sturkie Short 185058 Vista Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - Avenue (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Handrail needs to be replaced Buena and relocated to the back of Columbus- Low Short 185003 Vista Thyer Avenue sidewalk. Railing was too low Muscogee High ($0K - (4 - 6 mos.) Road and was not serving its purpose Public Works $20K) as it exists. Add guardrail to protect the Buena slopes along the North side of Columbus- Low Short 185004 Vista Thyer Avenue Buena Vista Road Slopes Muscogee High ($0K - (4 - 6 mos.) Road exceed 1:2 and are a hazard to Public Works $20K) both pedestrians and vehicles. Buena Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Short 185056 Vista Thyer Avenue and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - (4 - 6 mos.) Road surfaces. Public Works $200K) Buena Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Belvedere Short 185061 Vista and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road surfaces. Public Works $200K) Buena Columbus- Low Belvedere Short 185062 Vista Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K) Buena Columbus- Low Belvedere Construct accepting ramp on the Short 185063 Vista Muscogee High ($0K - Drive south side of Buena Vista Road. (4 - 6 mos.) Road Public Works $20K)

Sidewalk ramps and crosswalks are needed along the corridor, especially at the intersection of Buena Vista Road and Floyd Road intersection (left). Sidewalks and transit boarding and alighting areas are needed west of Floyd Road (left).

5.3 Corridor: Hunt Avenue Hunt Avenue is mainly a residential roadway which leads from Buena Vista Road, past Lonnie Jackson Academy, Rothschild Middle School and into the neighborhood. There are no sidewalks on Hunt Avenue and pedestrians are required to walk in the street. Motor vehicles were observed traveling in excess of the 30 MPH posted speed limit. Hunt Avenue should be considered for traffic calming devices, including speed humps and reduced speed limit.

Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendations Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Muscogee Intermediate Hunt School Realign exit driveway to be closer County High 185092 Moderate (7 - 24 Avenue Entrance to 90 degrees. School ($200K +) mos.) District Muscogee Long Hunt School Install sidewalk from the bridge to County High 185093 High (More than Avenue Entrance connect to the school's entrances. School ($200K +) 24 months) District Concern about queue-jumping Columbus- Intermediate Moderate Hunt School using the bi-directional left turn 185094 Muscogee Moderate (7 - 24 ($20K - Avenue Entrance lane. Consider alternatives to Planning mos.) $200K) address and correct. Columbus- Low Hunt White Oak Short 185096 Install pedestrian crossing. Muscogee High ($0K - Avenue St. (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K)

26 Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendations Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Columbus- Intermediate Moderate Hunt White Oak 185097 Install RRFB's. Muscogee High (7 - 24 ($20K - Avenue St. Public Works mos.) $200K) Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Hunt Sandusky Short 185099 and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - Avenue Drive (4 - 6 mos.) surfaces. Public Works $200K) Columbus- Low Hunt Sandusky Short 185100 Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - Avenue Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K) Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Hunt Rosewood Short 185101 and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - Avenue Drive (4 - 6 mos.) surfaces. Public Works $200K) Columbus- Low Hunt Rosewood Short 185102 Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - Avenue Drive (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K) Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps Columbus- Moderate Hunt Langdon Short 185103 and add detectable warning Muscogee High ($20K - Avenue Street (4 - 6 mos.) surfaces. Public Works $200K) Columbus- Low Hunt Langdon Short 185104 Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee High ($0K - Avenue Street (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K)

The school zone signage and lights on Hunt Avenue are not visible to motorists because they are installed at an incorrect height (left). Sidewalks need maintenance from cracking and overgrown landscaping (right). 5.3.1 Adjacent Neighborhood Streets In addition to Hunt Avenue, adjacent neighborhood streets were evaluated which students attending Lonnie Jackson Academy and Rothschild Middle School use as walking routes to school. Like Hunt Avenue, these neighborhood streets do not have sidewalks and pedestrians use the roadway to walk.

Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendations Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Excessive speeding along Celia Columbus- Low Celia Empire Drive. Convert Empire Street to one- Short 185085 Muscogee Moderate ($0K - Drive Street way from Celia Drive to Hunt (4 - 6 mos.) Planning $20K) Avenue for an eastbound circulation. Add stop signs to Celia Drive to Columbus- Low Celia Empire make intersection a 4-way stop; 3- Short 185086 Muscogee High ($0K - Drive Street way stop of one-way conversion (4 - 6 mos.) Public Works $20K) applied. Consider rerouting bus traffic to the Muscogee Rothschild front of the school. Rerouting Low Empire County Short 185089 Middle vehicular traffic to the existing bus Moderate ($0K - Street School (4 - 6 mos.) School route to allow for additional space to $20K) District queue.

Responsible Safety Item # Road Location Recommendations Time Frame Cost Agency Benefit Install sidewalks to connect along Rothschild the back of the school to connect Columbus- Intermediate Empire High 185090 Middle from Celia Drive to Hunt Avenue. Muscogee High (7 - 24 Street ($200K +) School Currently students walk within the Public Works mos.) road along Empire Street. Muscogee Rothschild Low Empire Prohibit parallel parking along bus County Short 185091 Middle High ($0K - Street loading and unloading zone. School (4 - 6 mos.) School $20K) District

Traffic calming measures are needed to slow speeds at school crossings, such as above, at Celia Drive.

5.4 Potential Projects The following project packages are suggestions from the School RSA team which combine several recommendations into implementable projects. The School RSA team suggests that the recommendations stated in this report be implemented as resources become available. The responsible agency(s) should document any decisions to modify or eliminate recommendations based on engineering judgement or lack of feasibility. 5.4.1 Project #1: Hunt Avenue and Empire Street Several recommended improvements along the neighborhood streets would have a short-term, high safety impact on area students’ ability to walk to Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy. As locally maintained roadways, a traffic calming strategy for streets along Hunt Avenue should be evaluated and include the following recommendations:

• To reduce higher rates of vehicle speed leaving the school area, realign Lonnie Jackson Academy driveway to 90 degrees of Hunt Avenue to • Restripe all crosswalks along Hunt Avenue, starting with the crosswalks at Langdon Street and Rosewood Drive. • Convert Empire Street to one-way from Celia Drive to Hunt Avenue with a 3-way stop at Celia Drive or • To reduce the speed of motor vehicle traffic, add 4-way stop signs to Celia Drive at Empire Street. • Install a sidewalk along Empire Street from Celia Drive to Hunt Avenue. • Install a high-visibility crosswalk and RRFB at Hunt Avenue and White Oak Street. 5.4.2 Project #2: Buena Vista Road at Wright Drive and Hunt Avenue Several recommended improvements along Buena Vista Road at Wright Drive and Hunt Avenue can installed to improve pedestrian safety. As indicated in the public survey responses, (see Appendix G) there is insufficient left turn queueing space for drivers that need to turn left onto Hunt Avenue during morning arrival. In addition to reconfiguring the intersection, the follow recommendations can be applied to this intersection:

• To promote awareness of entering the school zone, install additional MUTCD-compliant school signs to increase visibility. Install wayfinding signs to direct pedestrians and motorists to the school area. • To narrow the pedestrian crossing distance of Buena Vista Road, eliminate the right turn lane into O'Reilly Auto Parts store and install a curb extension. • Install new sidewalk ramps, high-visibility crosswalk and pedestrian crossing signals in conjunction with existing signal at Buena Vista Road. • Install flexible delineators or a median island to prohibit westbound left turn onto Wright Drive. • Review timing for southbound left turns onto Buena Vista Road and include lead pedestrian interval phase. • Install sidewalk from the bridge to connect to the school's entrances.

Sidewalk ramps and detectable warning surfaces are needed throughout the study area, but specifically at the intersection of Buena Vista Road and Hunt Avenue (above) which leads to Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

6. Conclusions The School Road Safety Audit of study corridors around Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy sought to identify safety concerns and present recommendations to encourage safer road design. The School RSA team addressed the concerns of all road users: including bicycles, motor vehicles, and pedestrians. Recommendations were given with the consideration of existing roadway constraints including right-of-way, land use, and the volume of traffic along the corridor.

The next steps are for GDOT and representatives of Muscogee County to implement the findings of this report in future projects on the study corridors. This report will allow them to prioritize and coordinate safety enhancements along the walking and bicycling routes to school.

While this report contains a significant number of recommendations, breaking them out by safety benefit allows owning agencies to develop effective goals to upgrade safety along the corridor. Short term measures include updating signage, improving lighting, and repairing pavement markings. Intermediate solutions include consolidating large driveways and improving channelization at specific intersections. More long-term solutions involve adding continuous pedestrian facilities along the entire corridor.

Through implementation of these and other potential measures, walking and bicycling routes to Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy can become safer for all users. The School RSA team suggests recommendations in this report be implemented as resources become available. The responsible agency(s) should document any decisions to modify or eliminate recommendations based on engineering judgement or lack of feasibility.

Appendix A School Prioritization Methodology

During July-November 2017, AECOM and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) created an objective score-based prioritization method to rank schools for future Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) School Road Safety Audits (School RSA). This process includes three main stages: criteria and weighting refinement, data collection and assignment, and top-scoring school identification. This process identified the top schools for this year’s School RSA from a total of greater than 3,000 schools across Georgia.

Specific criteria were developed in conjunction with GDOT to prioritize schools for the Georgia School RSA project, and are included in Table 1. The first criterion specified the School RSA should be conducted where multiple schools are located in close proximity to one another. Through multiple conversations with GDOT the geographic scope applied to other criteria were also refined. For example, the criterion of recent crashes was collected within one-quarter mile of each school, and then subsequently expanded to one-half mile of each school.

Table 1. SRTS Prioritization Lenses

Lens Logic Criteria Considered Weight for School RSA Score Area Schools located near areas Schools within ½ mile of Census Filtering criteria, prior to score Character where a higher proportion of the Tracts with at least 25% of the development population are children will be population (ACS 2011-2015 more appropriate for walking & summary data) under age of 18 bicycling Exposure Schools near high traffic 1. Number of crashes within ½ 1. Crashes w/ severe injuries = volumes are more likely to mile of school 0.25; Crashes w/ property experience unsafe conditions 2. Traffic volumes along nearest damage only = 0.10; Crashes non-interstate route, most recent involving bicycle or pedestrian year available =0.35 2. Traffic volume = 0.15 Geographic Focus on locations where Two or more schools located Filtering criteria, prior to score schools are clustered within ½ mile of one another development Equity Explicitly recognizing historic Number of students who are Proportion eligible = 0.15 and current systems of likely to walk or bike to school inequities (e.g. racism, approximated by the proportion geographic segregation, income of enrolled student population inequality) eligible for free or reduced lunch Engagement Currently active/engaged Whether the school is known by Considered after score schools which are known to Safe the Safe Routes to School development Routes to School Outreach Outreach Coordinator, any other Coordinators will be more willing details provided from that to engage with School RSA relationship process Source: AECOM November 2017 Each of these criteria were then weighted and summed in order to create a School RSA score for each school. The weights were determined iteratively with GDOT and are also reported in the last column of Table 1. Weighting also allows an average score for school clusters, which can then be sorted to identify the top-scoring school clusters for a School RSA.

Finally, the physical locations of high-scoring school clusters were examined to ensure they were not bifurcated by a highway or topography which might physically prevent walking and biking to school. Thirty-six (36) schools in fifteen (15) clustered locations across Georgia met these criteria and were prioritized for SRSA outreach in fiscal year 2018. Appendix B School RSA Invite/Attendees

Carlos Baker Georgia Department of Transportation

Kesha Wynn Georgia Department of Transportation

Patrick Weaver Georgia Department of Transportation

Carolina Rodriguez Columbus-Phenix City Metropolitan Planning Organization

Herbert Hill Muscogee County School District

Farhad Ali Farhani Columbus Consolidated Government

Robert Greene Columbus Police Department

Dave Goldberg Muscogee County School District

Elizabeth Yarnall AECOM

Bonnie Moser Toole Design Group

Brent Moser Toole Design Group

Appendix C Crash Analysis Data

Collision Types within the study area

Collision Type 2014 2015 2016 Total Angle 16 8 6 30 Head On - 3 - 3

Not A Collision with Motor Vehicle 4 1 - 5 Rear End 10 4 7 21 Sideswipe-Opposite Direction 1 - 1 2 Sideswipe-Same Direction 2 2 1 5

Total Crashes 33 18 15 66

Total Non-Fatal Injuries 5 2 4 11 Total Fatalities 0 0 0 0

Average Crashes Per Year - - - 22

For collisions involving two motor vehicles, the chart below represents the movements of the first vehicle involved in the collision.

Motor Vehicle 1 Behavior 2014 2015 2016 Total Backing 12 7 19 Changing Lanes 1 1 2 Entering/Leaving Driveway 2 1 3 Entering/Leaving Parking 1 1 Negotiating A Curve 1 1 Parked 1 1 Straight 8 6 8 22 Turning Left 1 1 3 5 Turning Right 2 1 3 Total 27 17 13 57

For collisions involving two motor vehicles, the chart below represents the movements of the second vehicle involved in the collision.

Motor Vehicle 2 Behavior 2014 2015 2016 Total

Backing - 1 - 1 Negotiating A Curve - - 2 2 Parked 8 4 1 13 Stopped 12 5 6 23 Straight 9 4 6 19 Total 29 14 15 58

Type of collisions by year at the intersection of Lake Rushin Drive and Buena Vista Road

Lake Rushin Drive and Buena Vista 2014 2015 2016 Total Road Angle 7 3 1 11 Rear End 3 - - 3 Total Crashes 10 3 1 14 Total Non-Fatal Injuries 1 0 0 1 Total Fatalities 0 0 0 0 Average Crashes Per Year - - - 5

Type of collisions by year at the intersection of McBride Drive and Buena Vista Road

McBride Drive and Buena Vista Road 2014 2015 2016 Total Angle 1 1 1 3

Rear End 2 - 2 4

Sideswipe-Same Direction 1 1 - 2

Total Crashes 4 2 3 9

Total Non-Fatal Injuries 0 0 0 0 Total Fatalities 0 0 0 0

Average Crashes Per Year - - - 3

Type of collisions by year at the intersection of Dogwood Drive and Buena Vista Road

McBride Drive and Buena Vista 2014 2015 2016 Total Road Angle 1 - 1 2

Rear End 1 - 1 2 Total Crashes 2 0 2 2

Total Non-Fatal Injuries 0 0 1 1 Total Fatalities 0 0 0 0

Average Crashes Per Year - - - <1

Appendix D School RSA Maps

Appendix E School RSA Recommendations

School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame Handrail needs to be replaced and relcoated to Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185003 Thyer Avenue the back of sidewalk. Railing was too low and High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) was not serving its purpose as it exists. Add guardrail to protect the slopes along the Buena Vista North side of Buena Vista Road Slopes exceed Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185004 Thyer Avenue High Road 1:2 and are a hazard to both pedestrians and Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) vehicles.

Buena Vista Convert the deceleration lane into a bus stop Intermediate Moderate 185006 Sturkie Avenue METRA Transit High Road location. (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Install approximately 3500 feet of sidewalk Long Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Moderate 185008 Sturkie Avenue along the south side of Buena Vista Drive from High (More than 24 Road Public Works ($20K - $200K) Belvedere Drive to McBride Drive. months) Floyd Relocate crosswalk to the west of McBride Dr. Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185013 Rd./McBride Provide designated crossing time for High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Dr. pedestrians. Floyd Long Buena Vista Redesign intersection to remove the offset Columbus-Muscogee High 185014 Rd./McBride High (More than 24 Road between the two roads. Public Works ($200K +) Dr. months) Install additional school sign to promote Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185016 Hunt Avenue entering school zone/increase High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) visibility/wayfinding. Long Buena Vista Replace pedestrian bridge with ADA compliant Columbus-Muscogee High 185018 Hunt Avenue High (More than 24 Road bridge Public Works ($200K +) months) Eliminate right turn lane into O'Reilly Auto Parts Long Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee High 185019 Hunt Avenue store to narrow pedestrian crossing distance of High (More than 24 Road Public Works ($200K +) Buena Vista Drive. months) Install new crosswalk crossing Buena Vista and GDOT OTO / Short Low 185020 Buena Vista Dr Hunt Avenue High new ramps. Columbus-Muscogee (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Review timing for southbound left turns onto Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185021 Hunt Avenue Buena Vista Drive and include lead pedestrian High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) interval phase

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 1 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame

Install truck apron to reduce vehicle speeds but Buena Vista Dogwood Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185022 to allow existing bus movements. Vehicles are High Road Drive Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K) making the right turn at excessive speeds.

Realign cross walks across Buena Vista Road and Buena Vista Dogwood provide directional ramps. Currently the Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185023 High Road Drive crosswalks stop within the intersection. Would Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) require the shifting of existing stop bars.

Floyd Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185029 Rd./McBride Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Dr. Floyd Buena Vista Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185030 Rd./McBride High Road detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K) Dr. Buena Vista Lake Rushin Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185035 Restripe all crosswalks. High Road Dr. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Buena Vista Lake Rushin Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Low 185036 Install 'Countdown' pedestrian signals. High Road Dr. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Remove island and reduce curb radius for Long Buena Vista Lake Rushin Columbus-Muscogee Moderate 185037 southbound right turn lane to reduce pedestrian High (More than 24 Road Dr. Public Works ($20K - $200K) crossing distance. months) Add 'School Zone' signage and pavement Buena Vista Muscogee County Short Moderate 185038 Hunt Avenue markings along Buena Vista Drive to indicate High Road School District (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K) school entrance.

Buena Vista Replace all sidewalk ramps to be ADA-compliant, Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185039 Hunt Avenue High Road including detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Remove exposed wire hanging from the power Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185040 Hunt Avenue High Road pole. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 2 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame

Intersections are approximately ~200ft apart Hunt due to the offset configuration of the Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185041 Avenue/Wrigh intersection. Coordinate with local jurisdiction High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) t Drive to provide adequate signage and prohibit motor vehicle movements, if needed

Buena Vista Install flexible delineators or median island to Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185042 Wright Drive High Road prohibit westbound left turn onto Wright Dr. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185045 Wright Drive Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Construct sidewalk to connect existing sidewalk Buena Vista along Buena Vista Road and along the Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185047 Wright Drive High Road southwest side of Wright Drive to Goodson Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Drive. Buena Vista Dogwood Install 'Countdown' pedestrian signals for Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185048 High Road Drive crossing Buena Vista Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista N. Linden Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185049 High Road Drive detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Install sidewalk between I-185 bridge and Long Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee High 185052 I-185 NB Ramp Woodburn Drive along the northside of Buena High (More than 24 Road Public Works ($200K +) Vista Drive. months)

Buena Vista Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185056 Thyer Avenue High Road detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185057 Sturkie Avenue High Road detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185058 Sturkie Avenue Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Buena Vista Stripe crosswalks if the sidewalk gap in this Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185060 Patricia Drive High Road location is constructed. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 3 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame

Buena Vista Belvedere Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185061 High Road Drive detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Belvedere Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185062 Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Drive Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Buena Vista Belvedere Construct sidewalk ramp on the south side of Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185063 High Road Drive Buena Vista Drive. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185064 Bismark Drive Restripe all crosswalks and stop bar. High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Buena Vista Eastwood Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185065 Restripe all crosswalks. High Road Drive Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185066 Celia Drive High Road detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Sight distance issue due to the vertical curve Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185067 Celia Drive approaching Buena Vista Road Add advanced High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) pedestrian warning signs. Sight distance issue due to the vertical curve Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185068 Reynolds Road approaching Buena Vista Road Add advanced High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) pedestrian warning signs.

Buena Vista Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185069 Reynolds Road High Road detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185071 Reynolds Road Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Piedmont Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185072 High Road Drive detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Piedmont Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185073 Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Drive Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Woodburn Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185074 High Road Drive detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 4 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame Buena Vista Woodburn Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185075 Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Drive Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Pembrook Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185076 High Road Drive detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Pembrook Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185077 Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Drive Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185078 Linden Circle High Road detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185079 Linden Circle Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Add stop signs to Celia Drive to make Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185086 Celia Drive Empire Street intersection a 4-way stop; 3-way stop of one- High Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) way conversion applied. Install sidewalks to connect along the back of Rothschild the school to connect from Celia Drive to Hunt Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate High 185090 Empire Street High Middle School Avenue. Currently students walk within the road Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($200K +) along Empire Street.

Rothschild Prohibit parallel parking along bus loading and Muscogee County Short Low 185091 Empire Street High Middle School unloading zone. School District (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Long School Install sidewalk from the bridge to connect to Muscogee County High 185093 Hunt Avenue High (More than 24 Entrance the school's entrances. School District ($200K +) months) Vehicle speeds were in excess of speed limit, especially at White Oak Street. Evaluate Hunt Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185095 Hunt Avenue General High Avenue for traffic calming measures to reduce Planning (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K) vehicle speeds. Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185096 Hunt Avenue White Oak St. Install pedestrian crossing. High Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185097 Hunt Avenue White Oak St. Install RRFB's High Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 5 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame

Sandusky Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185099 Hunt Avenue High Drive detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Sandusky Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185100 Hunt Avenue Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Drive Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Rosewood Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185101 Hunt Avenue High Drive detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Rosewood Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185102 Hunt Avenue Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Drive Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Langdon Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185103 Hunt Avenue High Street detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Langdon Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185104 Hunt Avenue Restripe crosswalks. (All) High Street Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185105 Wright Drive Goodson Drive Install pedestrian crossing warning signs. High Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Buena Vista Install pedestrian signage to yield to Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185005 Sturkie Avenue Moderate Road pedestrians. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Church Mid- Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185009 Update pedestrian crossing signage. Moderate Road Block Crossing Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Church Mid- GDOT OTO / Intermediate Moderate 185010 Install RRFB at the existing striped crosswalk. Moderate Road Block Crossing Columbus-Muscogee (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Walmart Install additional pedestrian warning signs for Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185012 Neighborhood channelized right turn into Walmart Moderate Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Market Neighborhood Market Vacant Buena Vista Make driveway a Right-in/Right-out. Install Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185015 Walmart Moderate Road median if necessary. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K) Driveway

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 6 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame Install additional warning signs to promote using Buena Vista pedestrian bridge and not directly crossing Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185017 Hunt Avenue Moderate Road Buena Vista Road However, pedestrian bridge is Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) not ADA compliant. Rainbow Buena Vista Install gore striping at eastern driveway to Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185025 Supermarket Moderate Road better delineate car movements. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Driveway Rainbow Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185026 Supermarket Install 'Right lane ends' signage. Moderate Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Driveway Rainbow Convert driveway access to Right-In/Right-Out Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Moderate 185027 Supermarket only. Install median, if necessary, to prevent left- Moderate Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($20K - $200K) Driveway hand turns.

Buena Vista Analyze making it a Right-in/Right-Out due to Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185028 Linden Circle Moderate Road proximiity to Interstate and sight distance. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Floyd Shift stop bar to the east to provide directional Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185031 Rd./McBride ramps across Buena Vista Rd. Evaluate and Moderate Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Dr. closed driveway to provide sidewalk ramp.

Sight distance issue due to the vertical curve Buena Vista Lake Rushin Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185032 approaching Buena Vista Road Add advanced Moderate Road Dr. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) pedestrian warning signs.

Buena Vista Lake Rushin Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185033 Moderate Road Dr. detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Buena Vista Lake Rushin Construct sidewalk ramps within the concrete Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Low 185034 Moderate Road Dr. island to cross Buena Vista Drive. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Buena Vista Lower the pedestrian push button on the SE Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185043 Wright Drive Moderate Road quadrant to be ADA compliant Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Buena Vista Replace all sidewalk ramps to be ADA-compliant, Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185044 Wright Drive Moderate Road including detectable warning surfaces. Public Works (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K)

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 7 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame Buena Vista Repair cracked and settling sidewalk in front of Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185046 Wright Drive Moderate Road the bank, so it is ADA-compliant. Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Raise the pedestrian push buttons on the north Buena Vista N. Linden Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185050 side of Buena Vista Road Currently are Moderate Road Drive Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) approximately 2.5-3' above the ground.

Construct boarding and alighting pads for bus Buena Vista transit throughout the project limits. As it exists, Intermediate Moderate 185051 General METRA Transit Moderate Road there is a variable width landscaped buffer (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K) between curb line and sidewalk/bench.

Long Buena Vista Close unused driveway on north side of Buena Columbus-Muscogee Moderate 185070 Reynolds Road Moderate (More than 24 Road Vista Road Planning ($20K - $200K) months) Landscaping is encroaching on the sidewalk and Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185080 Linden Circle is impairing the sight distance at the Moderate Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) intersection. Remove landscaping. Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185081 Krystal Cap and raise utility box within the sidewalk. Moderate Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Excessive speeding along Celia Drive. Convert Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185085 Celia Drive Empire Street Empire Street to one-way from Celia Drive to Moderate Planning (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) Hunt Avenue for an eastbound circulation.

Consider rerouting bus traffic to the front of the Rothschild Muscogee County Short Low 185089 Empire Street school. Rerouting vehicular traffic to the existing Moderate Middle School School District (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) bus route to allow for additional space to queue.

School Muscogee County Intermediate High 185092 Hunt Avenue Realign exit driveway to be closer to 90 degrees Moderate Entrance School District (7 - 24 mos.) ($200K +) Concern about queue-jumping using the bi- School Columbus-Muscogee Intermediate Moderate 185094 Hunt Avenue directional left turn lane. Consider alternatives Moderate Entrance Planning (7 - 24 mos.) ($20K - $200K) to address and correct. Right signal head was not working for Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185024 Linden Drive northbound Linden Drive. Evaluate and repair Low Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K) signal.

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 8 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Safety Time Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Cost Benefit Frame Buena Vista Columbus-Muscogee Short Low 185059 Patricia Drive Replaced damaged guardrail. Low Road Public Works (4 - 6 mos.) ($0K - $20K)

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 9 of 9 Appendix F School RSA Prioritized Recommendations

School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score Handrail needs to be replaced and relcoated to the Columbus- 185003 Buena Vista Road Thyer Avenue back of sidewalk. Railing was too low and was not Muscogee Public 18 1 serving its purpose as it exists. Works Add guardrail to protect the slopes along the North Columbus- 185004 Buena Vista Road Thyer Avenue side of Buena Vista Road Slopes exceed 1:2 and are a Muscogee Public 18 1 hazard to both pedestrians and vehicles. Works Columbus- Floyd Rd./McBride Relocate crosswalk to the west of McBride Dr. Provide 185013 Buena Vista Road Muscogee Public 18 1 Dr. designated crossing time for pedestrians. Works Columbus- Install additional school sign to promote entering 185016 Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue Muscogee Public 18 1 school zone/increase visibility/wayfinding. Works GDOT OTO / Install new crosswalk crossing Buena Vista and new 185020 Buena Vista Dr Hunt Avenue Columbus- 18 1 ramps. Muscogee Columbus- Review timing for southbound left turns onto Buena 185021 Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue Muscogee Public 18 1 Vista Drive and include lead pedestrian interval phase Works Realign cross walks across Buena Vista Road and Columbus- provide directional ramps. Currently the crosswalks 185023 Buena Vista Road Dogwood Drive Muscogee Public 18 1 stop within the intersection. Would require the shifting Works of existing stop bars. Columbus- Floyd Rd./McBride 185029 Buena Vista Road Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Dr. Works Columbus- 185035 Buena Vista Road Lake Rushin Dr. Restripe all crosswalks. Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- 185040 Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue Remove exposed wire hanging from the power pole. Muscogee Public 18 1 Works

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 1 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score

Intersections are approximately ~200ft apart due to Hunt Columbus- the offset configuration of the intersection. Coordinate 185041 Buena Vista Road Avenue/Wright Muscogee Public 18 1 with local jurisdiction to provide adequate signage and Drive Works prohibit motor vehicle movements, if needed

Columbus- Install flexible delineators or median island to prohibit 185042 Buena Vista Road Wright Drive Muscogee Public 18 1 westbound left turn onto Wright Dr. Works Columbus- 185045 Buena Vista Road Wright Drive Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Construct sidewalk to connect existing sidewalk along Columbus- 185047 Buena Vista Road Wright Drive Buena Vista Road and along the southwest side of Muscogee Public 18 1 Wright Drive to Goodson Drive. Works Columbus- Install 'Countdown' pedestrian signals for crossing 185048 Buena Vista Road Dogwood Drive Muscogee Public 18 1 Buena Vista Road Works Columbus- 185058 Buena Vista Road Sturkie Avenue Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- Stripe crosswalks if the sidewalk gap in this location is 185060 Buena Vista Road Patricia Drive Muscogee Public 18 1 constructed. Works Columbus- 185062 Buena Vista Road Belvedere Drive Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- Construct sidewalk ramp on the south side of Buena 185063 Buena Vista Road Belvedere Drive Muscogee Public 18 1 Vista Drive. Works Columbus- 185064 Buena Vista Road Bismark Drive Restripe all crosswalks and stop bar. Muscogee Public 18 1 Works

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 2 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score Columbus- 185065 Buena Vista Road Eastwood Drive Restripe all crosswalks. Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Sight distance issue due to the vertical curve Columbus- 185067 Buena Vista Road Celia Drive approaching Buena Vista Road Add advanced Muscogee Public 18 1 pedestrian warning signs. Works Sight distance issue due to the vertical curve Columbus- 185068 Buena Vista Road Reynolds Road approaching Buena Vista Road Add advanced Muscogee Public 18 1 pedestrian warning signs. Works Columbus- 185071 Buena Vista Road Reynolds Road Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- 185073 Buena Vista Road Piedmont Drive Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- 185075 Buena Vista Road Woodburn Drive Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- 185077 Buena Vista Road Pembrook Drive Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- 185079 Buena Vista Road Linden Circle Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- Add stop signs to Celia Drive to make intersection a 4- 185086 Celia Drive Empire Street Muscogee Public 18 1 way stop; 3-way stop of one-way conversion applied. Works

Rothschild Middle Prohibit parallel parking along bus loading and Muscogee County 185091 Empire Street 18 1 School unloading zone. School District

Columbus- 185096 Hunt Avenue White Oak St. Install pedestrian crossing. Muscogee Public 18 1 Works

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 3 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score Columbus- 185100 Hunt Avenue Sandusky Drive Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- 185102 Hunt Avenue Rosewood Drive Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- 185104 Hunt Avenue Langdon Street Restripe crosswalks. (All) Muscogee Public 18 1 Works Columbus- 185105 Wright Drive Goodson Drive Install pedestrian crossing warning signs. Muscogee Public 18 1 Works

Add 'School Zone' signage and pavement markings Muscogee County 185038 Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue 17 2 along Buena Vista Drive to indicate school entrance. School District

Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185056 Buena Vista Road Thyer Avenue Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185057 Buena Vista Road Sturkie Avenue Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185061 Buena Vista Road Belvedere Drive Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185066 Buena Vista Road Celia Drive Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185069 Buena Vista Road Reynolds Road Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185072 Buena Vista Road Piedmont Drive Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 4 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185074 Buena Vista Road Woodburn Drive Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185076 Buena Vista Road Pembrook Drive Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185078 Buena Vista Road Linden Circle Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185099 Hunt Avenue Sandusky Drive Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185101 Hunt Avenue Rosewood Drive Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185103 Hunt Avenue Langdon Street Muscogee Public 17 2 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- 185005 Buena Vista Road Sturkie Avenue Install pedestrian signage to yield to pedestrians. Muscogee Public 16 3 Works Columbus- Church Mid-Block 185009 Buena Vista Road Update pedestrian crossing signage. Muscogee Public 16 3 Crossing Works Walmart Install additional pedestrian warning signs for Columbus- 185012 Buena Vista Road Neighborhood channelized right turn into Walmart Neighborhood Muscogee Public 16 3 Market Market Works Install additional warning signs to promote using Columbus- pedestrian bridge and not directly crossing Buena Vista 185017 Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue Muscogee Public 16 3 Road However, pedestrian bridge is not ADA Works compliant. Rainbow Columbus- Install gore striping at eastern driveway to better 185025 Buena Vista Road Supermarket Muscogee Public 16 3 delineate car movements. Driveway Works

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 5 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score Rainbow Columbus- 185026 Buena Vista Road Supermarket Install 'Right lane ends' signage. Muscogee Public 16 3 Driveway Works Shift stop bar to the east to provide directional ramps Columbus- Floyd Rd./McBride 185031 Buena Vista Road across Buena Vista Rd. Evaluate and closed driveway Muscogee Public 16 3 Dr. to provide sidewalk ramp. Works Sight distance issue due to the vertical curve Columbus- 185032 Buena Vista Road Lake Rushin Dr. approaching Buena Vista Road Add advanced Muscogee Public 16 3 pedestrian warning signs. Works Columbus- Lower the pedestrian push button on the SE quadrant 185043 Buena Vista Road Wright Drive Muscogee Public 16 3 to be ADA compliant Works Columbus- Repair cracked and settling sidewalk in front of the 185046 Buena Vista Road Wright Drive Muscogee Public 16 3 bank, so it is ADA-compliant. Works Raise the pedestrian push buttons on the north side of Columbus- 185050 Buena Vista Road N. Linden Drive Buena Vista Road Currently are approximately 2.5-3' Muscogee Public 16 3 above the ground. Works Landscaping is encroaching on the sidewalk and is Columbus- 185080 Buena Vista Road Linden Circle impairing the sight distance at the intersection. Muscogee Public 16 3 Remove landscaping. Works Columbus- 185081 Buena Vista Road Krystal Cap and raise utility box within the sidewalk. Muscogee Public 16 3 Works Excessive speeding along Celia Drive. Convert Empire Columbus- 185085 Celia Drive Empire Street Street to one-way from Celia Drive to Hunt Avenue for Muscogee 16 3 an eastbound circulation. Planning Consider rerouting bus traffic to the front of the Rothschild Middle Muscogee County 185089 Empire Street school. Rerouting vehicular traffic to the existing bus 16 3 School School District route to allow for additional space to queue. Rainbow Columbus- Convert driveway access to Right-In/Right-Out only. 185027 Buena Vista Road Supermarket Muscogee Public 15 4 Install median, if necessary, to prevent left-hand turns. Driveway Works

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 6 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score Columbus- 185036 Buena Vista Road Lake Rushin Dr. Install 'Countdown' pedestrian signals. Muscogee Public 15 4 Works

185006 Buena Vista Road Sturkie Avenue Convert the deceleration lane into a bus stop location. METRA Transit 14 5

Install truck apron to reduce vehicle speeds but to Columbus- 185022 Buena Vista Road Dogwood Drive allow existing bus movements. Vehicles are making the Muscogee Public 14 5 right turn at excessive speeds. Works Columbus- Right signal head was not working for northbound 185024 Buena Vista Road Linden Drive Muscogee Public 14 5 Linden Drive. Evaluate and repair signal. Works Columbus- Floyd Rd./McBride Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185030 Buena Vista Road Muscogee Public 14 5 Dr. warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Replace all sidewalk ramps to be ADA-compliant, 185039 Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue Muscogee Public 14 5 including detectable warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185049 Buena Vista Road N. Linden Drive Muscogee Public 14 5 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- 185059 Buena Vista Road Patricia Drive Replaced damaged guardrail. Muscogee Public 14 5 Works

Vehicle speeds were in excess of speed limit, especially Columbus- 185095 Hunt Avenue General at White Oak Street. Evaluate Hunt Avenue for traffic Muscogee 14 5 calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds. Planning

Columbus- 185097 Hunt Avenue White Oak St. Install RRFB's Muscogee Public 14 5 Works Columbus- Construct sidewalk ramps within the concrete island to 185034 Buena Vista Road Lake Rushin Dr. Muscogee Public 13 6 cross Buena Vista Drive. Works

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 7 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score Install sidewalks to connect along the back of the Columbus- Rothschild Middle school to connect from Celia Drive to Hunt Avenue. 185090 Empire Street Muscogee Public 13 6 School Currently students walk within the road along Empire Works Street. GDOT OTO / Church Mid-Block 185010 Buena Vista Road Install RRFB at the existing striped crosswalk. Columbus- 12 7 Crossing Muscogee Columbus- Vacant Walmart Make driveway a Right-in/Right-out. Install median if 185015 Buena Vista Road Muscogee Public 12 7 Driveway necessary. Works Columbus- Analyze making it a Right-in/Right-Out due to 185028 Buena Vista Road Linden Circle Muscogee Public 12 7 proximiity to Interstate and sight distance. Works Columbus- Reconstruct all sidewalk ramps and add detectable 185033 Buena Vista Road Lake Rushin Dr. Muscogee Public 12 7 warning surfaces. Works Columbus- Replace all sidewalk ramps to be ADA-compliant, 185044 Buena Vista Road Wright Drive Muscogee Public 12 7 including detectable warning surfaces. Works Construct boarding and alighting pads for bus transit throughout the project limits. As it exists, there is a 185051 Buena Vista Road General METRA Transit 12 7 variable width landscaped buffer between curb line and sidewalk/bench. Concern about queue-jumping using the bi-directional Columbus- 185094 Hunt Avenue School Entrance left turn lane. Consider alternatives to address and Muscogee 12 7 correct. Planning Install approximately 3500 feet of sidewalk along the Columbus- 185008 Buena Vista Road Sturkie Avenue south side of Buena Vista Drive from Belvedere Drive to Muscogee Public 11 8 McBride Drive. Works Columbus- Remove island and reduce curb radius for southbound 185037 Buena Vista Road Lake Rushin Dr. Muscogee Public 11 8 right turn lane to reduce pedestrian crossing distance. Works

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 8 of 9 School RSA Recommendations Rothschild Middle School and Lonnie Jackson Academy

Total Item # Road Location Recommendation Department Rank Score

Muscogee County 185092 Hunt Avenue School Entrance Realign exit driveway to be closer to 90 degrees 11 8 School District

Columbus- Floyd Rd./McBride Redesign intersection to remove the offset between 185014 Buena Vista Road Muscogee Public 10 9 Dr. the two roads. Works Columbus- 185018 Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue Replace pedestrian bridge with ADA compliant bridge Muscogee Public 10 9 Works Eliminate right turn lane into O'Reilly Auto Parts store Columbus- 185019 Buena Vista Road Hunt Avenue to narrow pedestrian crossing distance of Buena Vista Muscogee Public 10 9 Drive. Works Columbus- Install sidewalk between I-185 bridge and Woodburn 185052 Buena Vista Road I-185 NB Ramp Muscogee Public 10 9 Drive along the northside of Buena Vista Drive. Works

Install sidewalk from the bridge to connect to the Muscogee County 185093 Hunt Avenue School Entrance 10 9 school's entrances. School District

Columbus- Close unused driveway on north side of Buena Vista 185070 Buena Vista Road Reynolds Road Muscogee 9 10 Road Planning

Consider eliminating or combining driveways in various Columbus- locations within the study area. This would promote 185000 General General Muscogee 0 11 traffic calming while also providing pedestrian refuge Planning for crossing Buena Vista Drive.

Georgia Department of Transportation Page 9 of 9 Appendix G Safe Routes to School: Road Safety Survey Sample and Results

North Clayton Middle School Safe Routes to School: Road Safety Survey

Please complete this survey of nine questions to You can also complete this survey online at inform the Georgia Safe Routes to School team of https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TFKRLCD. safety issues near your school. Return paper surveys to your school; scan and e-mail to [email protected]; Name (optional) or mail to AECOM c/o Elizabeth Yarnall, at 1360 Peachtree St NE, Ste 500, Atlanta, GA 30329

3. Relationship to School 7. How do you (if you attend or work at the  Student school) or your children travel from school on a normal weekday in the  Parent or Caregiver afternoon?  Teacher  Walk  Transit  School Staff (non-teacher)  Bicycle  N/A  Community Member  School Bus Comment:  City/County Government Employee  Car/Automobile  State Government Employee  Other (please specify): 8. If you or your children do not walk or bicycle to the school, why not? Please 4. About how far is the school from your check all that apply. home?  Speed of traffic along route  Less than 0.25 mile  Amount of traffic along route (motor  0.25 to 0.50 mile vehicle traffic)  0.50 to 0.75 mile  Availability of sidewalks or pathways  0.75 to 1.0 mile  Condition of sidewalks or pathways  1.0 to 1.5 miles  Availability of pedestrian crossings  Greater than 1.5 miles away  Condition of pedestrian crossings 5. What is the nearest intersection to your  Safety of intersections along route home (e.g. West Street and Elm Street)?  Railroad crossing concerns  Amount of signing and markings 6. How do you (if you attend or work at the  Amount of lighting school) or your children travel to school  Overgrown vegetation on a normal weekday in the morning?  Ability of drivers to see pedestrians when  Walk  Transit turning onto roadway  Bicycle  N/A  Other (please specify):  School Bus Comment:  N/A  Car/Automobile

Page 1 of 2 North Clayton Middle School 3. Are there any specific locations along your route to school that you think are unsafe? Why?

In addition to comments you provide above, you can comment on areas unsafe for bicycling and walking to school using the below map. Do you have additional concerns or questions? Contact your Safe Routes to School Coordinator: Marielena Gutiérrez; [email protected]; 404-849- 4517

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North Clayton Middle School Rutas Seguras para la Escuela: Encuesta de seguridad vial

Por favor, complete esta encuesta de nueve Usted también puede completar esta encuesta en preguntas para informar al equipo de Rutas línea en Seguras para la Escuela de Georgia cuestiones de https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TF2K28F. seguridad alrededor de su escuela. Devuelva las encuestas en papel a su escuela. Puede también escanearlas y mandarlas por Nombre (opcional) correo electrónico a [email protected]; o enviarlas por correo a AECOM c/o Elizabeth Yarnall, en la siguiente dirección: 1360 Peachtree St NE, Ste 500, Atlanta, GA 30329 3. Relación con la Escuela 7. Cómo regresa de la escuela (en caso de  Estudiante que usted estudie o trabaje en la  Padre o Cuidador escuela) o cómoregresan sus hijos de la escuela en un dia normal por la mañana?  Maestro  Personal de la Escuela (diferente a  Caminando  Tránsito maestro)  En Bicicleta  N/A  Miembro de la Comunidad  Bus-Escolar Comentario:  Empleado del Gobierno (Condado o Ciudad)  Carro/Automovil  Empleado del Gobierno (Estado) 8. Si usted o sus hijos no caminan o van en  Otro (por favor especifique): bicicleta a la escuela, ¿cual es la razon? Por favor seleccione todas las que 4. Qué tan lejos esta la escuela de su casa? aplican.  Menos de 0.25 milla  Velocidad del tráfico a lo largo de la ruta  De 0.25 a 0.50 millas  Cantidad de tráfico a lo largo de la ruta  De 0.50 a 0.75 millas (tráfico de vehículos de motor)   De 0.75 a 1.0 millas Disponibilidad de las aceras y caminerias   De 1.0 a 1.5 millas Condiciones de las aceras y caminerias   Mas de 1.5 millas de distancia Disponibilidad de pasos de peatones  Condición de los pasos de peatones 5. Cuál es la intersección más cercana a su  hogar (ej. West Street y Elm Street)? Seguridad de las intersecciones a largo de la ruta  Preocupación por el cruce de ferrocarriles  Cantidad de signos y marcas 6. Cómo va a la escuela (en caso de que usted estudie o trabaje en la escuela) o  Cantidad de luz cómo van sus hijosen un dia normal por  Vegetación demasiado grande la mañana?  Habilidad de los conductores para ver a los  Caminando  Tránsito pedeatones cuando cruzan hacia la carretera  En Bicicleta  N/A  Otro (por favor especifique):  Bus-Escolar Comentario:  Carro/Automovil  N/A

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North Clayton Middle School 3. ¿Hay algún lugar específico a lo largo de su ruta a la escuela que considere inseguro? ¿Por qué?

Además de los comentarios en el cuadro anterior, puede comentar acerca de áreas inseguras para andar en bicicleta y/o caminar a la escuela usando el mapa adjunto. Tiene algun comentario adicional? Envie un Email or llame a su Coordinador de Rutas Seguras para la Escuela: Marielena Gutiérrez; [email protected]; 404-849-4517

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