2 Pedestrians at Multi-Modal Intersections 2.1 Intersection and Mid-block Crosswalk Treatments ................................. 36 2.2 Minimizing Pedestrian Exposure to Vehicle Traffic ................................. 42 2. 3 Minimizing Pedestrian-Bicycle Conflicts .................................................. 45 2.4 Corner Geometries ...................................................................................... 50 2.5 Sight Lines ................................................................................................... 52 2.6 Optimizing Signal Timing and Traffic Control for Pedestrians ...............54 2.7 Optimizing Pedestrian Access to & from Bus Stops/Subway Portals ... 57 2 .1 Intersection and Mid-block Crosswalk Treatments MultipleIntersection Locations and Mid-block Crosswalk Treatments Multiple Locations Description Design and/or Operational DuraTherm Crosswalk Treatment in Chinatown, Considerations Oakland This section focuses on crosswalk treatments that will improve pedestrian safety and, in doing so, 1. Intersection crossing treatments enhance pedestrian accessibility and mobility. Intersections are the primary crossing points for A crosswalk’s primary function is to channelize pedestrians. Although at signalized intersections pedestrians. Well-marked pedestrian crossings cars are required to stop, pedestrian-vehicle prepare drivers for the likelihood of encountering a collisions still occur, often as a result of drivers pedestrian, and create an atmosphere of speeding or turning across the crosswalk. pedestrian walkability and accessibility. Marked crossings reinforce the location and legitimacy of a Design solution: Decorative Crosswalks crossing. However, the California Vehicle Code Decorative crosswalks use distinctive patterns and requires vehicles to yield the right-of-way to pavement treatments to make the crosswalk more pedestrians at any intersection where crossing is visible. They help define the pedestrian space and not prohibited (regardless of markings).1 discourage vehicles from encroaching upon the pedestrian crossing area. They also help to Crosswalks are primarily located at intersections, beautify the streetscape and add a specific Design solution: Raised Intersections where cars must stop anyway to wait for other character to a neighborhood. One treatment that Raised intersections help to designate areas with vehicles travelling on the cross street. However, has been applied in Chinatown in Oakland as well high pedestrian activity and slow down vehicle pedestrians often wish to cross at mid-block as in Noe Valley and the Tenderloin in San speeds. Raised intersections are whole locations, particularly on long blocks and at TM Francisco is called Streetprint . This treatment intersections, including adjoining crosswalks, that locations with popular trip attractors. At these consists of a flexible, durable thermoplastic that is are elevated three to six inches with ramps on all locations, mid-block crossing treatments are inset into asphalt pavement. Unique colors and approaches (typically at a 4%-8% grade). Tactile advisable to provide a seamless and safe walking patterns can be added according to the desired treatments are needed at the sidewalk/street environment. aesthetic. The inset process helps to protect the boundary so that visually impaired pedestrians can crosswalk from wear and ensure long-lasting color. identify the edge of the street. These treatments are designed to draw attention to the intersection and pedestrians while allowing vehicles to traverse the intersection safely, reducing vehicle speeds. They are ideal for 1 More information on the California Vehicle Code application in commercial areas and business sections related to pedestrian right-of-way is available districts with high pedestrian flows. at http://www.walksf.org/vehicleCodes.html. 36 Better1 MarketBetter Street Market - Existing Street Conditions| Best Practices & Best Practices | Part Two: Best Practices 12.07.2011 Intersection and Mid-block Crosswalk Treatments Multiple Locations One potential consequence of raised intersections Raised intersection in Perth, Australia Design solution: High Visibility Crosswalks is that they can also slow transit speeds and High visibility striping is a tool that brings attention increase wear and tear on transit vehicles. As a to pedestrians crossing, typically at mid-block result, caution should be exercised when locations. It should be used in combination with considering raised intersections along routes with other design treatments, like refuge islands, bulb- high transit volumes, and if implemented, designs outs, and other active device enhancements for should ensure that transit impacts are minimized. roadways with more than 4 lanes or speeds over Raised intersections have been applied in the U.S. 40 mph. They help to direct pedestrian traffic to (Portland, OR, Cambridge, MA, and New York specific locations. There are several treatments for City) as well as internationally, including locations high visibility markings, including the ladder, throughout the U.K. and Australia. continental, and zebra designs. Communities should choose a preferred style to use in these circumstances so it is consistently applied. The City of Raised intersection in Sale, England Sacramento, for example, developed its own standard high visibility striping treatment for uncontrolled Source: Gehl Architects locations called the triple-four. The City has implemented this treatment citywide, involving three 2. Mid-block crossing treatments four-foot segments, two dashed lines on the outside Mid-block crosswalk locations are determined by with a clear space in the center to direct pedestrian traffic. understanding pedestrian desire lines (i.e., the places people would like to walk). A person’s decision of where to cross is affected by local land Example High Visibility Crosswalk Patterns uses such as work places, hotels and commercial establishments, and the location of transit stops and vehicle and bicycle parking facilities. This information forms a basis for identifying locations for pedestrian crossing improvements and Source: prioritizing such improvements, thereby creating a http://www.students.bucknell.edu/projects/trafficcalmi convenient, connected, and continuous walking ng/Library.html / Dr. Richard McGinnis environment. Once candidate crosswalk locations have been identified, appropriate treatments should be evaluated for each location. 12.07.2011 Chapter Better 2. Pedestrians Market Street at Multi-Modal| Name of chapter Intersections 2 37 Intersection and Mid-block Crosswalk Treatments Multiple Locations Design solution: Raised Crosswalks Bellevue, WA and Boulder, CO. Raised crosswalks Source: Similar to raised intersections, raised crosswalks are also common in the U.K., Sweden and France. http://www.students.bucknell.edu/projects/trafficcalmi provide an elevated surface above the travel lane ng/Library.html / Dr. Richard McGinnis that attracts the attention of the driver and Raised crosswalk in Boulder, CO encourages lower speeds. It is useful in areas with Design solution: Staggered Crosswalks high pedestrian activity by essentially raising the Often on wide streets, crosswalks are divided into road surface (typically 3-6 inches or the height of two parts with a median or island in the center of the curb) over a short crossing distance. This the roadway. In these situations, crosswalks on treatment includes a flat area on the top that either side of the median can be staggered such constitutes the crosswalk. This flat area may be that a pedestrian crosses half the street and then made of asphalt, patterned concrete, or brick must walk a short distance and facing traffic to pavers. As with raised intersections, tactile reach the second half of the crosswalk. This treatments are needed at the sidewalk/street boundary so that visually impaired pedestrians can configuration provides pedestrians with a better identify the edge of the street. view of oncoming traffic and allows drivers to clearly see pedestrians. It also reduces the crossing distance for pedestrians by allowing them This treatment helps to reduce vehicle speeds and to cross half the street at a time and provides more improve visibility of pedestrians by defining the flexibility for signal coordination. Staggered crossing. The Pennsylvania Department of crosswalks can be designed to accommodate Transportation have found that raised sidewalks Raised crosswalk in Sterling, Scotland bicycles by providing sufficient space and width for reduce vehicle speeds an average of 6mph. bicyclists to comfortably maneuver across the off- Research by Ekman and others has concluded that set crossings. This treatment has been applied in raised crosswalks at unsignalized crossings can be numerous locations in San Francisco, including more effective than other traffic control devices some crossing locations on upper Market Street, because they control speed at the actual pedestrian crossing. However, similar to raised and King Street between 4th and 2nd Street. intersections, raised crosswalks can reduce transit travel speeds, and may not be appropriate along major transit routes, unless specific design treatments are included to minimize the effect to transit. Raised crosswalks have been installed in El Cerrito, CA, Sacramento, CA, Cambridge, MA, 38 Better3 MarketBetter Street Market - Existing Street |Conditions Best Practices & Best Practices | Part Two: Best Practices 12.07.2011 Intersection and Mid-block Crosswalk