Pedestrian Master Plan Update Survey Responses to Open- Ended Questions
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Seattle Department of Transportation PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN UPDATE SURVEY RESPONSES TO OPEN- ENDED QUESTIONS January 2016 CONTENTS WHAT CONDITIONS MAKE IT DIFFICULT OR UNPLEASANT FOR YOU TO WALK? OTHER: Construction where all sidewalks are closed (though the street is not closed to traffic) forcing me to go blocks out of my way Some intersections have excessively long wait times for pedestrian signals. Pedestrian crossing should be prioritized over vehicles, or perhaps there could be more pedestrian over/underpasses (ex: Green Lake Way N and Stone St., 45th Ave N by Aurora bridge) “Other” responses to the following questions: “Only after I tripped in March and broke my nose and front teeth did the city fix the uneven sidewalk along college way n What makes if difficult or unpleasant for you to walk?..................................1 That was very frustrating. But other streets in Licton springs that has some sidewalks have the same uneven pattern due to tree roots because the city planted trees that do not belong along the sidewalks there roots are Where should the City Prioritize walking improvements first?....................49 shallow and spread. “ There aren’t sidewalks outside my house on 90th in between Corliss and Meridian and I am concerned about children walking to and from school on that street. What types of walking improvements should we build first?.......................69 Poor drainage (water ponding on sidewalks) Drug dealers People soliciting/ standing around on sidewalk How comfortable would you feel walking on residential streets Beg buttons at intersections with the following types of walking paths?: Signs on posts and “sandwich boards” in the sidewalk. Also, seating areas that squeeze down sidewalk width. Vegetation growth blocking sidewalks from people who do not care for their yards and landscaping. When Stamped and stained asphalt sidewalk with curb (raised walkway)............93 reported the city does nothing but send a vegetation folder. No follow up. Visual obstructions (mostly overgrown plants) that force pedestrians into the street or block drivers’ views - Stained asphalt sidewalk with curb (raised walkway)................................103 especially at residential intersections Many streets w/ no sidewalks north of 85th Curb-separated walking path at same level as cars..................................113 Peoples are just bad drivers The reason I say too narrow or trip hazards are not a problem is that our neighborhood (Crown Hill) HAS NO SIDEWALKS. Shared walking space with traffic calming features to slow cars..............132 We need sidewalks in Wedgwood ! It is sooo unsafe to walk with my toddler as he’s literally walking in the street and i can’t give him clear direction like “stay on the sidewalk “ I’ve even fallen into ditches 8 months Traditional concrete sidewalk with curbs on one side of the.....................184 pregnant trying to back out of the way of oncoming cars not knowing where drainage was hidden street only, with rain gardens Sidewalks should be a top priority for a walkable city. Space between sidewalks for business access. gravel surface and parked cars all in same spot Walking path at same level as cars,...........................................................193 Puddles in road next to sidewalk set behind landscaping (no curb) Poor motorist sightlines at intersections/driveways where people are walking Cars being in the streets. Cars being #1 not people. No more houses unless sidewalks are provided!!! Written comments on low-cost walking improvements.......................................199 Having to push the stupid button to get a walk sign!!! If you are just a second too late, you don’t get the walk sign even though you are there and ready to walk and have the light. Why the hell do you have those there? Pedestrians don’t get the walk signal any sooner and it just confuses people. They think they can’t walk and Written comments from open-ended survey question.........................................366 by the time they realize this is the time they should be crossing, the light is about to turn and does turn while they are in the intersection. It is so stupid!! And unsafe!! Only real issue for me (a slower walker currently as I am in treatment for cancer and not quite as quick on my feet) are busy intersections with no crosswalks, ESPECIALLY three way intersections. I’m filling out this survey because I want to register a request/complaint regarding a specific three way intersection. Drivers not obeying round abouts, especially in areas with no sidewalks. PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN UPDATE, SURVEY RESPONSES TO OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS | 1 Seaview pl NW to Golden Gardens DR NW past View Ave, Loyal Ave, 87th NW to 85th desperately needs a bike For whatever reasson, NE 125th & NE 145th Streets have sidewalks AND streetlights while NE 135th St has path. Super narrow/blind corner near the dog park is dangerous. This access would provide a complete loop NEITHER. It is absolutely without argument from any resident here that it is UNSAFE to try to walk along NE for our community to enjoy with strollers and bicycles. The stairs up to 32ndx85th are not for everyone. 135th St in the morning fog or in the night darkness. No sidewalks, no streetlights. There is a muddy path Poor crosswalk access to parks and businesses e.g. 25th Ave NE at NE 77th across from the Dahl field play- worn through the parking strip paralleling NE 135th but tree roots, pine cones, rocks, uneven turf>>>all con- ground, Roosevelt in Maple Leaf as maybe 2 crosswalks for over a mile, from our house to my daughters spire to trip me up even in the daylight. I’ve lived here 41 years & nothing has been improved in my neighbor- school (Wedgwood Elem) there are no sidewalks once we cross 25th to get her safely up the hill when parent hood or commute walk. in cars are flying by to get their kids dropped of. Wedgwood just got 1 block of sidewalk which is better than 1. Personal security issues unrelated to infrastructure, eg ranting or unsocialized behavior of fellow peds. 2. none but there is so safe walking route to school for those of us on the Ravenna side of 25th Storm drains flooding ped paths or splashing out of vehicle lanes onto ped areas. Related - on hilly terrain in wet weather (105th at Roosevelt), cars drive fast and no sidewalk. The hill sheet Olympic hills neighborhood needs sidewalks and better lightong with water (coming from slope on Roosevelt, onto 105), so road is not safe for cars or pedestrians. I walk my daughters to and from their bus stop. Soon they’ll be able walk themselves. The stretch of 143rd NE Residential streets with no side walks and parked cars, causing pedestrians to walk in the middle of the between 15th and 30th is used heavily by folks using it as a shortcut to bypass traffic around Lake City Way & street with along with traffic with busy cross traffic. Such a place is northbound between NE 97th to NE 100th 145th NE. My daughters use 143rd and it can be downright dangerous, especially the five way at 24th Pl. NE street on 8th Ave NE. and 143rd. Come Che k it out sometime. Too loud and to close to cars. Simple not pleasant experience. Need more paths of busy streets and more The sidewalks in my neighborhood are built without consideration for water flow patterns during heavy rain. trees lining busy streets. there are some places where the curb with the ramp leads to the highest and fastest water flow area (Rain- “I live in what’s called the Maple Leaf neighborhood. Most streets from 5th Avenue NE over to Roosevelt Way ier and Henderson) (Rainier and Othello), fruther there is no buffer and when walking on rainier in this area NE, have no sidewalks; moreover, people seem to act as if they live in a gated community; parents push chil- during rain people are splashed with waves of water. I have small children and this is a terrifying experience dren in stroller, in the middle of streets, designed for automobiles! Try to tell the parents of the danger and every time. The water is above the tops of their boots in some places. they give you a cold stare. It’s a wonder more children haven’t been hurt. I know one woman who pushed her Overgrown sidewalks. Bushes/trees/grass is overgrowing from nearby properties extending into the sidewalk stroller out onto a street on a dark Sunday evening, at NE 100th Street and 5th Avenue NE, barely escaping area. the little boy in the stroller, almost being hit. Even as someone who generally walks to most everyplace I can, Lack of audible or tactile pedestrian crossing signals in the downtown area. the behavior of most pedestrians baffles me.” Leaf-clogged drains that turn some sections into miniature lakes. 1) Ramps aimed at street centers, not to corners or crosswalks. 2) incorrectly placed stop signs 3) complex No sidewalks with drainage trenches and standing water in Olympic Hills. intersections 4) open ditches 5) closed sidewalk signs that remain forever after the job is complete 6) trashed sidewalks & streets 7) free right turns 8) missing pedestrian activated crossing signals 9) bus routes that Jaywalking don’t align with safe walk zones for East-West walkers or East-West shuttle service 10) steep hills and slopes Bicyclist not obeying traffic laws !! Rude!!! spitting on passengers getting out of cars along the bike lanes !!!! that are hard to maneuver with canes & walkers, esp with dirt and gravel to walk on. 11) really steep hills “Overgrown plants can block sidewalks. This is particularly an issue on narrow sidewalks. It’s also often more should have mini rest zones or hill climb flats.