Walking Route Assessments for Altoona Area School District Blair County, Pennsylvania

Prepared for The WalkWorks Program as part of:

Prepared by:

The University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Mark J. Magalotti P.E Co-Director Richard Feder – Faculty Yuan Hu – Graduate Student Halima Bariyeh – Graduate Student May 27, 2015

Funding is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 3

Background on the WalkWorks Program ...... 3

Evaluation of Potential Walking Routes in the School District ...... 4

County Pedestrian Crash History ...... 4

Municipality Crash Analyses ...... 4

Injury-Severity for Pedestrian Crashes Analyses ...... 5

Field View of Potential Walking Routes ...... 6

Selected Routes for Assessment ...... 6

Downtown Altoona ...... 6

Juniata Route ...... 8

Mansion Route ...... 10

Downtown Altoona Walking Route Assessment ...... 12

Current Transportation Conditions in the Route Area ...... 12

Recommended Route Enhancements ...... 13

Downtown Altoona Recommended Route Enhancements ...... 13

Juniata Walking Route Assessment ...... 16

Current Transportation Conditions in the Route Area ...... 16

Recommended Route Enhancements ...... 17

Juniata Recommended Route Enhancements ...... 17

Mansion Walking Route Assessment ...... 31

Current Transportation Conditions in the Route Area ...... 31

Recommended Route Enhancements ...... 32

Mansion Recommended Route Enhancements ...... 32

Summary and Conclusion ...... 40

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to provide a walking route assessment for routes in the Altoona Area School District located in Blair County. The assessment provides recommendations to promote walking for three selected areas within the City of Altoona. The following sections of this report provide background on the WalkWorks program, which funded this evaluation, and the investigation conducted by the Center for Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure at the University of Pittsburgh. Specific recommendations to improve walkability and promote active transportation in the three selected study areas are offered.

This Report includes relatively short-term recommendations with regard to improving walkability. Note, however, it is suggested that Blair County and the City of Altoona consider extending and/or completion of the network of sidewalks along the designated walking routes as well as other locations consistent with the Blair County Comprehensive Plan, which encourages “safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities that promote walking and biking to and from work, school, community centers, downtowns, and other destinations” and includes, among its objectives:

 Ensuring that sidewalks and bicycle paths are provided in all new development and upgrade/retrofit facilities in existing neighborhoods where such facilities are deteriorating or lacking; and  Encouraging connectivity between existing and future neighborhoods, commercial centers, and amenities, such as schools, to facilitate vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian movement.

Background on the WalkWorks Program

To increase opportunities for physical activity, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has partnered with the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Center for Public Health Practice to create a network of fun, fact-filled community-based walking routes and walking groups. This network, a program called WalkWorks, is implemented in school districts that were selected by comparing multiple data sources (i.e., Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, mortality, hospitalization) and measuring capacities of the community to sustain the program. WalkWorks encourages sustainable physical activity through the built environment, social supports, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Walking groups promote physical activity via the walking routes in each county. In addition to social supports and physical activity, WalkWorks promotes policy change via policy briefs, which consolidate national and state recommended and evidence-based policy and environmental approaches. These strategies lay the foundation in Pennsylvania to promote ongoing policy discussion around the benefits of physical activity and provision of walking facilities in communities to facilitate such activity and enhance transportation options.

Evaluation of Potential Walking Routes in Altoona

As part of the process to develop three walking routes in Altoona, data were collected on pedestrian crash history in Blair County. The purpose of collecting this data is to determine whether there was a pedestrian crash history along any of the routes being considered. If a crash did occur along the proposed route of the walking assessment, the location safety features were considered in more detail. General crash data for the entire County were also gathered to provide information for future route considerations. Also, prior to the selection of the three routes for the walking assessments, a process was used to evaluate many potential locations. The process is summarized in this report section.

County Pedestrian Crash History Crash database for Pedestrian crashes was obtained from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). This analysis covered a five year period of 2009-2013. The information received included details such as Crash Type, Contributing Factors, Demographic Groups, Time, Location, and Severity of Injury for each reported pedestrian crash in Blair County.

Municipality Crash Analyses The following table and graph represent the total pedestrian crashes in Blair County during the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, when there were 20, 23, 37, 33 and 30 crashes respectively. Logan Township and the City of Altoona are among the locations with the highest number of pedestrian crashes within Blair County. Altoona had a total of 86 crashes in the last five years, distributed as following: 14, 11, 27, 21, and 13 pedestrian crashes during the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively.

MUNICIPALITY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 07202 - Antis Township 2 2 1 07207 - Greenfield Township 1 1 3 07210 - Logan Township 5 2 3 4 07301 - Altoona City 14 11 27 21 13 07407 - Tyrone Borough 1 1 1 3 3 Everywhere Else 2 6 6 5 7 Blair County- Pedstrians Crash Total 20 23 37 33 30

Distribution of

35 Pedestrian Crashes Per Municipalities per year 30

25 07301 - Altoona City 27 13 21 Everywhere Else 20 11 07407 - Tyrone Borough 15 07210 - Logan Township 14 7 6 07207 - Greenfield Township 10 5 3 07202 - Antis Township 1 6 3 Number of Crashes per Municipality Municipality per Crashes of Number 5 2 5 4 1 1 1 3 2 3 0 2 2 1 1 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year

Injury-Severity for Pedestrian Crashes Analyses As shown in the following graph, the number of severe and fatal pedestrian crashes is noted for the last 5 years. These are a subset of the overall pedestrian crashes shown previously. The number of serious injuries and fatalities for pedestrian crashes within Blair County in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 were 1, 4, 2, 1, and 2 respectively.

Number of fatalities and major injury for pedestrian crashes 5

0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Number of fatalities and major injury for pedestrian crashes

Field View of Potential Walking Routes The research team conducted a field trip visiting three locations at Altoona City (Downtown Altoona, Juniata and Mansion) to evaluate potential walking routes on February 26th, 2015. All three potential routes are located in the Altoona Area School District in Blair County. All of the routes were reviewed on a one-day visit.

Because Downtown Altoona is a walkable community with sidewalks, crosswalks and a number of signalized intersections, it is a potential candidate for various walking routes that can be used in whole or part by the WalkWorks program. The City has plenty of on-street parking, a Railroaders Memorial Museum, a Penn State Commonwealth Campus, a concentrated School Area, the Cathedral Of-Blessed Sacrament, and the Altoona Public Library as well as other attractions, which can be incorporated into walking routes that would provide interesting destinations along the routes. The Juniata Route was determined to be a walkable community although some outlying areas of the route have missing sections of sidewalks and walkways. It was also noted that the Juniata Route includes the Penn State Altoona Campus, Juniata Fabrics, and the Memorial Park as well as other attractions. A potential walking route in southern Altoona connected Tuckahoe Park, Baker Mansion and Mansion Park. Initially, two other locations were evaluated: one suggested connection between Tuckahoe and Highland Parks and the second one connecting Lakemont Park to the downtown. Both of these locations have limited sidewalks available for significant portions of the walking route. They were determined not to be suitable for walking routes.

The field view results identified potential walking routes and considered challenges such as installing new sidewalks and crosswalks and deficiencies in existing sidewalks that need to be addressed. For several locations, intersections with traffic signals were determined to be lacking in updated pedestrian accommodations. After further discussion with the local partners, three routes were selected for the Walkability Assessments. The three recommended routes and results of the assessments are described in detail in the following section.

Selected Routes for Assessment

A detailed assessment of each route was conducted by a second field visit to each community. The field visit involved walking the routes with the community partner and assessing potential safety issues associated with designating the route for walking groups. Routes with a length of 1-2 miles were selected that are located in the built environment. Another criterion for the selection of the route was a public parking location for users at the beginning of the route. After the field visit, recommended improvements to address safety issues were developed. The following provides a description of the walking routes that were selected for the assessments.

Downtown Altoona Altoona is a city in Blair County, central Pennsylvania. The population was 46,320 at the time of the 2010 census. It is served by the Altoona Area School District. The walking route for Downtown Altoona starts from Heritage Plaza parking lot and makes a return journey. The assessment identified several popular landmarks of interest include the Mishler Theatre, the Penn Alto Building (formerly the Penn Alto Hotel), the Gable's Building, City Hall, Altoona Area High School, Station Medical Center, Altoona Pubic Library, and Eleventh Ave itself. Several iterations of the route were considered before the final route was selected. The following map presents points of interest in the Downtown Altoona area.

The following abbreviations are used herein: Ave = Avenue, St = Street, Blvd = Boulevard

The proposed Downtown Altoona walking route consists of a “figure-8” or two adjoining loops, as shown in the following figure. The starting point is Heritage Plaza.

The northwestern loop begins at Heritage Plaza, proceeds southwest along 11th Ave, northwest on 15th St, northeast on 12th Ave, and southeast on 12th St. The loop crosses over the easternmost pedestrian overpass of the railroad, turns right onto the path that parallels the railroad on its southeast side, then crosses over the westernmost pedestrian overpass of the railroad and uses the path that runs parallel to 10th Ave to return to Heritage Plaza.

The southeastern loop begins at Heritage Plaza and travels northeast on the path that runs parallel to 10th Ave until reaching the westernmost pedestrian overpass. The route uses the overpass to cross the railroad, and then turns left to traverse the path along the southeastern bank of the railroad until reaching the easternmost pedestrian overpass. At that point, the path would turn southeast along the pedestrian path/alley that connects to 12th St. The route turns right on 9th Ave, southeast on 13th St., southwest on 4th Ave, northwest on 15th St, through the campus of Altoona Area High School, then southwest on 9th Ave, and northwest on 17th St. On 17th St, approximately opposite Margaret Ave, the route turns onto the pedestrian path that connects down to the Station Medical Center parking lot and to the path located on the southeastern side of the railroad. The route takes that path northeasterly to the westernmost

pedestrian overpass, and the overpass is used to return to the northwestern side of the railroad and thence to return to Heritage Plaza. The length of the Downtown Altoona route is 2.14 miles.

Juniata Route Juniata Route is located in Altoona City, Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is served by the Altoona Area School District. The suggested walking route for Juniata starts from the parking area at Ivyside commercial area located along Ivyside Dr between E 25th Ave and W 14th Ave and makes a return journey. The assessment identified several popular landmarks of interest including the Memorial Park, the Ivyside Plaza, Juniata Fabrics, Spring Run, and Penn State-Altoona. Several iterations of the route were considered before the final route was selected. The following map presents points of interest in the area of the Juniata Route.

The proposed Juniata walking route starts from the parking area of Ivyside commercial area along Ivyside Dr between E 25th Ave and W 14th Ave. It proceeds north on the sidewalk on E 25th Ave from the intersection with Ivyside Drive, traveling north a short distance before turning right into the shopping center to connect with the frontage sidewalk of the north building of the center. The route proceeds east on the sidewalk before turning south onto the sidewalk of the shopping center’s east building. When that sidewalk ends, the route turns east onto what is called Ivyside Drive but in practice is a portion of the shopping center’s parking lot. The route uses the parking lot for a short distance until it connects to the pedestrian path east of the shopping center. The path in turn connects with W 14th Ave, onto which it turns south until Juniata Gap Road. The route uses the walking path on the north side of Juniata Gap Road to travel eastward until the route turns to the north onto W 8th Ave. The route travels on W 8th Ave until Park Blvd, where it turns west until 11th Ave.

At W 11th Ave the route has two options. One would be when there is no snow on the ground, which has the route turning south onto W 11th Ave for one block, to the alley on the north side of the park. The route turns right (west) for one block along the alley, then continues past W 12th Ave into the park (when the snow permits the park to be used for walking) and continues in the park for one more block to W 13th Ave. The route turns north for one block until the intersection with Park Blvd where it meets the other option.

From Park and W 11th Ave, the other option for the route would be to continue west along Park Blvd to the intersection with W 13th Ave., where it would meet the option described above.

The route continues north on W 13th Ave to the intersection with Broadway, where it turns west onto Broadway and uses the shoulder (with sidewalk in some places) along the south side of Broadway. The route continues west to Fairview Ave, where it crosses Broadway Ave and uses the north sidewalk of Broadway for two blocks until Park Ave, where it turns south until Ivyside Drive. The route then turns east onto Ivyside Drive and continues until it reaches W 25th Ave and the starting point at the shopping center.

The length of the walking route is 2.15 miles. The following map presents the walking route.

Mansion Route The Mansion Route is located in Altoona City, Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is served by the Altoona Area School District. The walking route for Mansion starts from the Mansion Park parking area at the southeast corner of the intersection of 5th Ave and N Logan Blvd and makes a return journey. The assessment identified several popular landmarks of interest include Mansion Park, Tuckahoe Park, Blair County Historical Society, Baker School, Baker Mansion, and Allegheny Furnace & Women's Club. Several iterations of the route were considered before the final route was selected. The following map present points of interest in the area of the Mansion Route.

The proposed Mansion walking route starts from the Mansion Park parking area just north of the intersection of 5th Ave and N Logan Blvd, goes south on the east side of 5th Ave, then east on N Logan Blvd (on the north side) until E Ward Ave. The route travels east on the north side of E Ward Ave, north on the west side of Fort Roberdeau Ave, then north on Union Ave (keep on the west side) until 30th St. The route moves west on 30th St first on the south side until Furnace Ave, second to the north side until 3rd Ave, then utilizing the path in the roadway median between 3rd Ave and 4th Ave, and back to south side of 30th St until 5th Ave. Finally, the route travels south on the east side of 5th Ave back to the parking area and starting point. The length of the walking route is 1.71 miles. The colored line shown in the following map presents the walking route.

Downtown Altoona Walking Route Assessment

Current Transportation Conditions in the Route Area Data was acquired from PennDOT and the field visit to determine current transportation conditions along the route. The types of information that were gathered were: roadway ownership, Average Daily Traffic (ADT), physical features of roadways (including the speed limit), sidewalk presence and condition, and pedestrian crash locations.

4th Ave, 9th Ave, 11th Ave, 12th Ave, 12th St, 13th St, and 15th St are local streets owned by the City of Altoona. 17th St, 10th Ave, and Route 764 are highways owned by PennDOT. All local roadways speed limits are 25 mph, 10th Ave and 17th St speed limit 40 mph. According to the data source for both travel directions on 17th St there is an ADT of 18,000, 10th Ave has an ADT of 8,700, and for state Route 764 traveling northbound has an ADT of 9,100, while traveling southbound an ADT of 7,000. Route roadways are busy due to the downtown area location but these roads are suitable for walking.

Crash data report was obtained from PennDOT indicating four pedestrian crashes for Downtown Altoona during the last five years. The first two crashes were located on the intersection of 9th Ave and 17th St. The third crash was on Route 764 (Southbound, one-way direction) and 15th St, also the 4th crash was on Route 764 (northbound, one-way direction) and 13th St. All four crashes involved pedestrians, and are along the walking route. For these locations where pedestrian crashes occurred we evaluated in more detail any potential pedestrian safety issues such as visibility, missing traffic control devices, and lack of pedestrian facilities.

Recommended Route Enhancements Based on the evaluation goal, which is to establish a safe walking route to accommodate pedestrians, specific safety recommendations have been developed. The enhancement recommendations fall into two categories: minimum improvements, and recommended improvements. Minimum improvements are the measures determined to be needed to establish each route. These recommendations are generally signing and pavement markings that can be implemented in a short timeframe. Recommended improvements are measures that will improve the safety and convenience of the route. The recommended improvements will require more extensive infrastructure changes such as traffic signal upgrades.

Downtown Altoona Recommended Route Enhancements 1. The photograph below shows a pedestrian warning sign in use at one location at the parking area serving the bus station. Other parking lot locations, downtown (such as recommendation #2, below), would benefit from a similar sign.

2. Install the pedestrian warning sign in the parking lot opposite the north entrance to the westernmost pedestrian overpass.

3. Add W11-2 pedestrian warning signage for northbound and southbound approaches on 9th Ave at 13th St warning motorists that pedestrians may be present.

4. Add W11-2 pedestrian warning signage at the intersection of Route 764 and 13th St for southbound approach. (Route 764 is the cross street in this photo.)

5. Add stop signs on the intersection of 14th St and 4th Ave for the eastbound and the westbound approaches (shown left and right in this photo); due to lack of visibility and steep grade.

6. Add W11-2 warning signage on 15th St at 4th St for the eastbound and westbound approaches warning motorists that pedestrians may be present.

7. Add W11-2 warning signage on 8th Ave (Major Street) at 15th St for the northbound and southbound approaches, and install crosswalk on the northbound approach.

8. Install crosswalk on the extended driveway of the business area located on west side of 9th Ave between 17th St and 15th St.

9. Install stop sign and crosswalk for the extended driveway (which may act as an alley) on the north side of 15th St between 12th Ave and 11th Ave. Ownership of the driveway or alley should be confirmed prior to installation of the stop sign.

10. Install stop sign and crosswalk on the intersection of 12th St and the alley opposite Green Ave for the southbound approach.

11. Repaint crosswalks on the intersection of 11th Ave and 13th St.

Juniata Walking Route Assessment

Current Transportation Conditions in the Route Area In order to determine current transportation conditions along the route, information on roadway ownership and Average Daily Traffic (ADT) was gathered from PennDOT. In addition, a field visit was conducted to survey the speed limit and sidewalk presence and condition in the route area.

W 8th Ave, Park Boulevard, W 13th Ave, Broadway, W 14th Ave, Horner Drive, E 25th Ave and Ivyside Drive are local streets owned by Altoona City. Juniata Gap Rd is a state road with a speed limit of 35 mph. Based on the data sources for both travel directions on Juniata Gap Rd there is an ADT of 9,400. It is worth noting that there is a trail along the north side of the Juniata Gap Rd in a portion of the route area.

Crash data report, obtained from PennDOT, indicates no pedestrian crashes for the Juniata Route during the last five years.

Recommended Route Enhancements Based on the evaluation goal, which is to establish a safe walking route to accommodate pedestrians, specific safety recommendations have been developed. The enhancement recommendations fall into two categories: minimum improvements and recommended improvements. Minimum improvements are the measures determined to be needed to establish each route. These recommendations are generally signing and pavement markings that can be implemented in a short timeframe. Recommended improvements are measures that will improve the safety and convenience of the route. The recommended improvements will require more extensive infrastructure changes such as traffic signal upgrades.

Juniata Recommended Route Enhancements 1. The following two photos describe the walking route as it crosses Park Blvd northbound at 9th St, and then turns left to travel west on Park Blvd. The first photo shows the recommended crosswalk at 9th St. The second photo shows that in order to proceed westbound along Park Blvd, the route would have to use the grassy surface for a short section until the sidewalk begins just west of 9th St. It is recommended that the walk route use the grass portion, and place signs pointing walkers westbound toward where the route is supposed to go.

2. Mark a crosswalk on Park Boulevard at W 10th Ave on the southbound approach of the intersection.

3. Mark a crosswalk on Park Boulevard at W 11th Ave on the southbound approach of the intersection.

A similar crosswalk is recommended on Park Blvd at W 12th Ave.

4. This photo shows a missing section of sidewalk looking from Park Blvd north along the east side of W 13th St. Paint lines to connote the walking route along the eastern pavement of W 13th St, connecting to the existing sidewalk that can be seen in the near distance.

5. Mark a crosswalk on Broadway at W 13th Ave on the northbound approach of the intersection. Broadway is owned by Altoona City.

6. Similarly, mark crosswalks along the south side of Broadway at the following intersections: W 14th Ave, W 15th Ave, W 16th Ave, Horner Dr, E 25th Ave, E 26th Ave.

W 14th Ave:

W 15th Ave:

W. 16th Ave:

Horner Dr:

E 25th Ave:

E 26th Ave:

7. At the intersection of Broadway with Wopsononock Ave, there is an existing signalized pedestrian signal. Some of the legs of the intersection do not permit pedestrians to cross, but the intersection crossing used by the walking route does. A crosswalk and stop bar needs to be painted.

8. At the intersection of Broadway with Penn Ave, the sidewalk is located on the north side of Broadway rather than the south side. Accordingly, the walking route crosses to the north side to use that sidewalk. There is an existing stop sign where the pedestrian crossing is made. Installation of a crosswalk is recommended.

9. Add W11-2 pedestrian warning signage to the intersection of Broadway and Park Ave in both directions. The walking route will be crossing from the north side of Broadway to the south side. There are mini speed-bumps on Broadway that also serve as a crosswalk marking for pedestrians crossing Broadway in this location. The walking route will cross Broadway at this location.

10. Painted crosswalks should be placed where the north sidewalk of Ivyside Dr crosses the following intersections: Penn, Fairview, Wopsonock, E 26th Ave, and E 25th Ave (Wopsononock is shown in the photo).

11. Add W11-2 warning signage for both northbound and southbound approach of the intersection of Ivyside Drive and E 25th Ave, warning motorists that pedestrians may be present. The photo shows the existing pedestrian crossing of E 25th Ave across the north leg of the intersection. The PennDOT requirements for installation of the sign are provided in Appendix A.

12. Add crosswalk markings to connect the sidewalk in front of the shopping plaza building closest to E 25th Ave, with the existing sidewalk located on the east side of E 25th Ave. Investigate installation of a short section of sidewalk connecting the crosswalk to East 25th Street. Pedestrians currently cross the landscaped area shown in the first photo below in order to access the plaza building from the sidewalk. It is recommended that this informal crossing by the tree be re-done as a paved sidewalk. In addition, add W11- 2 warning signage to the driveway behind the building on the right side of the photo. The second photo below shows the existing pedestrian crosswalk connecting the two buildings of the shopping plaza, that will be used by the walking route.

13. The photo below shows the south end of the sidewalk in front of the shopping plaza buildings. After leaving that sidewalk, walkers would have to either traverse the low-volume driveway shown in the second photo below, or use the landscaped area shown toward the left of the photo. It is recommended that the landscaped area be designated as the walking route rather than the driveway. W11-2 warning signage along the driveway plus a painted crosswalk should be added connecting the sidewalk at the corner of the building with the landscaped area.

14. In the foreground of the first photo below is an area of the shopping plaza parking lot that is not highly utilized by parkers and could be traversed by the walking route. This location is considered to be Ivyside Drive, though it serves as the parking lot. In the background is where the parking would interface with the portion of the walking route that connects with the landscaped area in the parking lot or the low-volume driveway next to the shopping center building (photo above). The second photo shows the parking area in the foreground looking towards the other direction, towards the walking path (designated as a bicycle route) that crosses over the creek. The third photo shows the crossing of the creek.

15. View eastward from crossing of creek, across past W 15th Ave toward W 14th Ave. Ivyside Drive is owned by Altoona City. The pavement in the foreground is an alley/pedestrian-bike connection. It is recommended that a crosswalk be painted across W 15th Ave where the route crosses.

16. Arrow shows location of the walking route on Ivyside Dr just west of W 14th Ave. Mark a crosswalk on Ivyside Dr at W 14th Ave on the northbound approach of the intersection. Ivyside Dr is owned by Altoona city. Also install W11-2 pedestrian warning signs.

17. Arrow shows location of the walking route on Ivyside Dr on east side of W 14th Ave in the view southward toward Juniata Gap Rd. Install a W11-2 sign along this section of the route.

18. Walkers will use the shoulder of the road on the east side of W 8th Ave between Juniata Gap Rd (in background) and Park Blvd (foreground). Signage is needed to direct walking participants to use the shoulder. It is recommended that W11-2 signs be installed along this section of roadway.

19. Mark a crosswalk crossing W 8th Ave on the south leg of the intersection of Park Blvd and W 8th Ave.

Mansion Walking Route Assessment

Current Transportation Conditions in the Route Area In order to determine current transportation conditions along the route, information on roadway ownership, and Average Daily Traffic (ADT) was gathered from PennDOT. In addition, a field visit was conducted to survey the speed limit and sidewalk presence and condition in the route area.

Crescent Rd, Oak Lane, Ward Ave, Fort Roberdeau Ave, 30th St and 5th Ave are local streets owned by Altoona City. Logan Boulevard is a multilane highway with a speed limit of 40 mph. Union Ave is a traffic route. Based on the data sources for both travel directions on Logan Boulevard there is an ADT of 11,000. Union Ave has an ADT of 9,900.

Crash data report was obtained from PennDOT indicates no pedestrian crashes for Mansion Route during the last 5 years.

Mansion Recommended Route Enhancements 1. At Mansion Park, mark a crosswalk across intersection of 5th Ave and Crescent Rd.

2. At access drive for Trolleyworks, mark a crosswalk, which will connect to a short section of gravel shoulder before the sidewalk picks up again.

3. Mark a crosswalk for the break in farther sidewalk at the access driveway. In the distance, the sidewalk continues to the end of the Mansion Park parking lot.

4. Photos showing access driveways and parking area of the Mansion Park parking lot, through which the walking route must traverse before reaching the sidewalk of N Logan Blvd. Add W11-2 signs along the path of the walking route in the parking lot.

The following reflects a portion of the route in the parking lot for which it is recommended that a pedestrian path be marked.

5. Mark a crosswalk at intersection of N Logan Blvd and Oak Lane on the north side of Logan Blvd.

6. Mark a crosswalk across Fort Roberdeau Ave at its intersection with E Ward Ave. Fort Roberdeau is a divided road at this location and the crosswalk would be placed across both sections of the street. The eastern sidewalk of Fort Roberdeau is used for the walking route; this sidewalk is located across the divided road in the following photo.

7. Mark a crosswalk across Mansion Blvd at its intersection with Fort Roberdeau Ave. This section of the walking route is located on the eastern sidewalk of Fort Roberdeau.

8. Mark a crosswalk across Fort Roberdeau Ave at its intersection with Union Ave. The intersection is a divided road at this location so crosswalks are needed across both pieces of Fort Roberdeau. Similarly, painted crosswalks are also need at the following intersections with Union Ave: Oneida Ave, Baker Blvd, Crescent Rd, and 31st St.

The following photo shows Fort Roberdeau intersecting with Union Ave. Fort Roberdeau is a divided road at the intersection, thus two sets of crosswalk lines are shown. They are shown in red in order to improve visibility in the photo. In the second photo below, the southernmost crosswalk at the intersection is shown. Starting with the third photo, the intersections are Union Ave with Oneida, Baker, Crescent, and 31st.

9. Along 30th St just east of 3rd Ave, there is need for pedestrians to cross the street at a mid-block location because the sidewalk in any one section of the street is on either side of the street, not both sides. Both roads are local streets owned by Altoona City. Since a painted crosswalk is not likely to meet warrants for a mid-block crosswalk, it is suggested that W11-2 signs be used to connote that the sidewalks are to be used for the walking route.

10. Mark a crosswalk along 5th Ave at Crescent Road on the westbound approach of the intersection. Add a W11-2 warning sign, warning motorists that pedestrians may be present.

Summary and Conclusion

The purpose of this report is to present specific recommendations related to safety measures that enhance walkability for the three routes in Altoona City: Downtown Altoona, Juniata, and Mansion area.. This report has recommended measures to be considered for installation, including pedestrian facilities such as crosswalks and walkways, and traffic control devices such as warning signs, stop signs, and pedestrian signals. Installation of all or some of these enhancements will promote walkability for each specific area and contribute to improving the health of the residents of Blair County.