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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-23 16-211 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION Item No 16-211 Date: May 23, 2016 Item/Subject: Order — Adopting the New Unattended Crosswalk & Flashing Pedestrian Beacon Policy Responsible Department: Engineering Commentary: This Order will adopt an "Unattended Crosswalk & Flashing Beacon Policy" which will establish standards and procedures for criteria, location, placement, and funding for new unattended crosswalks (mid block crosswalks) and pedestrian actuated flashing beacons within the City of Bangor. This Policy was reviewed and approved at the April 26, 2016 Infrastructure Committee meeting. Manager's Comments: Associated Information: Order, Policy Budget Approval: Legal Approval: Introduced for x Passage First Reading Referral John Theriault, PE Department Head Page , of _ iCt�i Manager Finance Director City Solicitor Assign to Councilor Sprague CITY OF BANGOR 16-211 MAY 23, 2016 (TITLE.) ORDER, Adopting New Unattended Crosswalk & Flashing Pedestrian Beacon Policy WHEREAS, The City of Bangor encourages residents to walk by providing safe and clearly delineated routes of travel; and WHEREAS, The City wishes to set forth standards to be used in determining when crosswalks should be installed at locations not serviced by a traffic signal, otherwise known as unattended crosswalks; and WHEREAS, The City wishes to set forth standards to be used in determining when flashing pedestrian actuated beacons shall be installed at existing or new unattended crosswalks; and WHEREAS, The policy provides procedure for evaluating the need for crosswalk as well as the opportunity for residents to request crosswalks in areas of pedestrian activity; and THAT the attached New Unattended Crosswalk & Flashing Pedestrlan Beacon Policy be Adopted by the Bangor City Council by Council Order. IN CITY COUNCIL MAY 23, 2016 PASSED �J �✓eers,k.,�..1 CITY CLERK 16-211 MAY 23, 2016 NEW UNATTENDED CROSSWALK & FLASHING PEDESTRIAN BEACON POLICY 1.0 Purpose The purpose of this policy is to: 1.1 Encourage residents to walk by providing safe and clearly delineated routes of travel; 1.2 Set forth standards to be used in determining when crosswalks should be installed at locations not serviced by traffic signals otherwise known as unattended crosswalks; 1.3 Set forth standards to be used in determining when flashing pedestrian actuated beacons shall be installed at existing or new unattended crosswalks; 1.4 Outline a procedure to be followed in evaluating the need and appropriate location for a new crosswalk; 1.5 Insure that residents are afforded an opportunity to request and participate in the discussion to install new crosswalks and or flashing pedestrian beacons; 1.6 Outlining procedures to be followed in funding and implementing recommendations. 2.0 Policy It is the policy of the City of Bangor to: 2.1 Promote safe conditions for all modes of travel including motor vehicles, bicycles, wheelchairs, and walking along Bangor's city streets; 2.2 Improve safety and reduce accidents by providing clear delineation including pavement markings, signage, and other traffic control devices that warn travelers of potential areas of conflict between motor vehicles and other modes of travel; 2.3 Encourage citizen involvement and efforts in neighborhood pedestrian management activities. 3.0 Review Upon the request of residents to install a crosswalk at a certain location, the City of Bangor's Engineering Department will review the requested location with regards to the following criteria: 3.1 The location of schools and school routes for children 3.2 The daily and hourly pedestrian volumes; 3.3 The average daily traffic (ADT) volumes 3.4 The posted statutory speed limit or 85th percentile speed; 3.5 The number of vehicle travel lanes; 3.6 The presence of a median for pedestrian refuge; 3.7 The distance of proposed crosswalk from signalized intersections; 3.8 The distance of a proposed crosswalk from an existing crosswalk 3.9 The roadway alignment at the proposed crosswalk location and the available visibility; 16-211 MAY 23, 2016 3.10 The possibility of consolidation of multiple crossing points; 3.11 The availability of street lighting; 3.12 Other appropriate factors. 4.0 Minimum Criteria to Warrant a Crosswalk 4.1 Crosswalks will be located in a location that affords pedestrians and motorists with the proper sight distance for the posted speed limit. 4.2 Sufficient demand exists to justify the installation of a crosswalk. The crosswalk would serve 20 pedestrians/hour during the peak hour. 4.3 The roadway shall have a minimum volume of 1,500 vehicles/day or 150 vehicles during the peak pedestrian hour. 4.4 The crossing is on a direct route to or from a pedestrian generator, such as a school, library, hospital, senior center, shopping center, park. 4.5 The location is 300 feet or more from another crossing location or a signalized intersection. 4.6 Safety considerations do not preclude a crosswalk. 4.7 A landing area is available or feasible on each end of the crosswalk. 4.8 The posted speed limit is less than 40 mph and the number of travel lanes is 4 or less unless pedestrian refuge island is provided. 5.0 Minimum Criteria to Warrant a Pedestrian Actuated Flashing Crosswalk 5.1 Crosswalks will be located along a school route or other significant pedestrian generator. 5.2 The roadway shall have a minimum volume of 3,000 vehicles/day or 300 vehicles during the peak pedestrian hour. 5.3 The crosswalk would serve 40 pedestrians per hour during the peak hour. 5.4 The 85th percentile travel speed exceeds the posted speed limit by 7 MPH. 5.5 Pedestrian actuated flashers should be considered when midblock crosswalks are located on roads with 4 travel lanes. 6.0 Decision 6.1 After evaluating the review criteria and crosswalk warrants in sections 3.0 and 4.0, the City Engineer shall; 6.2 Review his/her findings with the Police Chief and Public Works Director. 6.3 Make a recommendation on whether or not a crosswalk or flashing pedestrian beacon is appropriate for the location. 6.4 Report his/her findings to the person that requested the study. 7.0 Appeal 7.1 If the person requesting the study does not agree with the City Engineer's decision they may appeal the decision to the Infrastructure Committee. 7.2 The Infrastructure's decision is final. 16-211 MAY 23, 2016 8.0 Funding & Construction If a crosswalk or flashing pedestrian beacon is approved, the Public Works Director shall: 8.1 Keep a list of approved projects and present an estimated cost of approved projects as an above current request for council to fund in the next fiscal year budget. 8.2 Construction may be scheduled for the fiscal year after approval if funding is approved by the council. 8.3 Special circumstances may prompt the Infrastructure Committee to direct the Public Works Director and Finance Director to find emergency funding for special projects.