Pedestrian Safety Projects A tale of two locations……..
Wisconsin Av @ Appvion College Av @ Lawrence University
Mike Hardy, PE, PTOE City of Appleton DPW Traffic Section 2016 ITE Traffic Engineering Workshop & Transportation Planning Forum April 20th, 2016
Wisconsin Avenue at Appvion (Appleton Papers) Conditions 4‐Lane Arterial 125 Ped crossings (pk hr) 1994 ‐ 17,500 ADT
(before sth441)
2013 ‐ 9,600 ADT
History
Traffic Signal Installed (1980’s) Changed to Warning Flasher (2005) Changed to Hybrid Beacon (2011)
Wisconsin Av (Traffic Signal)
2005 Photo
Meade St
Wisconsin Av
Implementation (1980s) 500‐ft from nearby traffic signal Actuated driveway and pedestrian crossing Coordinated System
80 / 90 second cycle length (6am‐6pm) Tried 40/45 cycle length
No record of any pedestrian crashes*
* 1st crash since install when this review began
Concerns by Appvion Did not feel the current situation was safe Employees were not being patient to wait for the walk light (jaywalking)
Appvion
Wisconsin Av (Traffic Signal)
Wisconsin Av (Traffic Signal)
Wisconsin Av (Warning Flasher)
2005 Photo
Meade St
Wisconsin Av
Implementation (2005) 500‐ft from nearby traffic signal Appvion cost participation Actuated flashing yellow light (+/‐ 26 secs.) Restricted exit – right turn only At least 3 crashes involving 5 injuries within first few years after install (2005‐2009) Concerns by Appvion Liked the convenience Concerned for the safety of employees & visitors
Appvion
Wisconsin Av (Warning Flasher) Looking West
Crosswalk
Wisconsin Av (Hybrid Beacon)
2015 Photo
Meade St
Wisconsin Av
Implementation (2011) 500‐ft from nearby traffic signal MUTCD Ped Warrant met (4‐hr) Separated parking lot drive Fully Actuated (non coordinated) Minimum dark time – 15 seconds No record of any pedestrian crashes Appvion took extremely active approach to employee education & compliance Concerns by Appvion Like the convenience Concerned driver’s education is lacking
Appvion
Wisconsin Av (Hybrid Beacon)
Looking West
Wisconsin Av (Hybrid Beacon)
Wisconsin Avenue at Appvion (Appleton Papers) Since Install Education
Massage Boards Static Sign
Special Enforcement No Pedestrian incidents Appvion still feels an issue with Driver compliance
Lesson Learned
On the leading edge of the educational curve (still a vehicle dominant culture) Fully Actuated = efficiency Hybrid Beacon addresses unpredictability = safety
Wisconsin Av (Hybrid Beacon)
College Avenue at Lawrence University Conditions 4‐Lane Arterial with median 2 mid‐block pedestrian crossings
West crossing (Apr. 2010)
East crossing (Apr. 2010)
140 Peds(pk hr) 780 Peds (9‐hrs) 210 Peds(pk hr) 1,200 Peds (9‐hrs)
1997 ‐ 17,900 ADT 2013 – 15,400 ADT
History
Marked crosswalk (1980’s or longer) Crosswalk enhanced with Marking & Signs (2009) Added RRFB & Lighting (2012)
College Av (Crosswalk Locations)
2012 Photo
Lawrence University
350‐ft
275‐ft
College Av
Lawe St
Drew St
300‐ft
College Av (Crosswalk Locations)
College Av, looking East from Drew Street
2016 Photo
College Av (Marked Crosswalk)
Implementation (1980s or earlier) Blue & White markings ‐ school colors College Av ‐ Coordinated Signal System
80 / 90 second cycle length (6am‐10pm)
Pedestrians had total respect for vehicles. (vehicle dominant culture) Limited records of pedestrian crashes
Concerns by Lawrence University Limited to none
2007 Photo
2009 College Av Reconstruction Project
College Av (Crosswalk with Enhanced Markings & Signs)
Implementation (2009) Continental Crosswalks & Midblock crosswalk signing College Av ‐ Coordinated Signal System
80 / 90 second cycle length (6am‐10pm)
Pedestrian behavior changed! Driver behavior changed! Pedestrian & Vehicle crashes increased.
College Av (Crosswalk with Enhanced Markings & Signs)
College Av (Crosswalk with Enhanced Markings & Signs)
College Av (Crosswalk with Enhanced Markings & Signs) 2010 Photo
Implementation (2011) City Staff were challenged by the Mayor to find a better solution, develop options for consideration. Concerns by Lawrence University This need flashing lights! Those lights we found on a website are the solution. In pavement lights are needed!
Creating & Evaluating Options Federal Guidelines & Requirements Available Research City Policy Microsimulation Crash History Anecdotal Information
Option A Landscape & Street Lighting Improvements Only
Make changes to existing landscape to improve sightlines between vehicles and
pedestrians Make improvements to street lighting Estimated Cost = $40,000
Convenience
Safety
Option B Keep Existing Crosswalks & Add Warning Flashers
Add pedestrian‐actuated amber flasher vehicle warning systems at existing
crosswalks Add in‐pavement amber flashers Make changes to existing landscape to further improve sightlines between vehicles and pedestrians Make improvements to street lighting Estimated Cost = $135,000 Convenience Convenience
Safety Safety
Option C Single Crossing with Amber Warning Flashers
Remove existing pedestrian crossings Add new decorative fence in median Add one new crossing, centered between Drew Street & Lawe Street Add a push‐button activated amber warning system at the new crosswalk Make changes to existing landscape to create
sightlines between vehicles and pedestrians Make improvements to street lighting Estimated Cost = $185,000
Convenience
Safety
Option D Single Crossing with PED Hybrid Beacon
Remove existing pedestrian crossings Add new decorative fence in median & terrace Add one new crossing, centered between Drew Street & Lawe Street Add Pedestrian (Ped) hybrid signal at new crosswalk Make changes to existing landscape to create sightlines between vehicles and
pedestrians Centralized location optimizes traffic signal coordination
Make improvements to street lighting Estimated Cost = $225,000
Convenience
Safety
Option E Eliminate Both Midblock Crossings
Removing existing pedestrian crossings Add new decorative fence in median & terrace Widen existing marked crosswalk and sidewalk at College Av & Lawe St Estimated Cost = $175,000
Convenience
Safety
Summary of Options for College Ave……
Staff Recommendation Option D: Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Best balance of safety and convenience Supported by NCHRP Report Ease of enforcement Convenience
Safety
Why City Staff recommend the Hybrid Beacon? We want to create an environment that will promote……
Consistent behavior across the spectrum drivers Consistent behavior across the spectrum of pedestrians
In short…..
Predictability fosters safety!
Concerns Raised by Lawrence University Regarding recommended Option D
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Creates a “Road to Nowhere” Expensive sidewalk reconfigurations Could increase jaywalking Relocation of Chapel loading area Decorative fencing makes it feel like a freeway Decorative fencing further separates two ½’s of campus Decorative fencing not conducive to special events HAWK is not aesthetically pleasing in front of Chapel Lawrence U wants Option B
Lawarence University’s Preference
City Engineering Preference
Differing Perspectives….
FHWA Research Treatment Effectiveness RRFBs D
~98%
B ~80%?
B ~48% Existing ~35%
FHWA Research Supported Treatment
Amber Beacons
Ped Hybrid/Traffic Signals Option D
As‐Is Option B
Source: Transportation Research Board, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, NCHRP 562
Crosswalks may be OK without additional treatments Crosswalks may be OK with additional treatments Crosswalks may be OK with significant additional treatments, such a pedestrian hybrid signal or pedestrian traffic signal.
In Summary…. Safety vs Convenience
Option B
Convenience
$ $ Lawrence University $ $
Option D
Safety
2012 Special Project
College Av (RRFB Control & In‐Pavement Lights)
Implementation (2012) 4 RRFB Control Units Passive Detection (No buttons)
6 video units 4 stereovision units
Increase Street Lighting In‐Pavement Lights
Concerns by Lawrence University Happy ‐ they got their flashing lights
College Av (RRFB Control) Detection
C‐Walk
College Av (RRFB Control)
Safewalk
C‐Walk
2012 Special Project
College Av (RRFB Control) These Detection Units……
C‐Walk
C‐Walk
Control these RRFB Units……
Safewalk
College Av (RRFB Control)
College Av (RRFB Control)
2012 to 2016 = The Learning Curve
College Av (RRFB Control & In‐Pavement Lights)
Implementation (2012‐2016) Pedestrian spectrum continues to change
Driver spectrum continues to change
More defensive drivers
RRFBs have been effective (as expected) Detection has needed TLC
More aggressive pedestrians
Over active at times (shadows, headlights)
Pedestrian crashes reduced In‐Pavement lights are dead!
Concerns by Lawrence University Under new management, wondering if RRFBs is the long term solution.
Beyond 2016?
College Av (RRFB Control)
What’s Next? APS / Buttons Upgrade detection (infrared) Hybrid Beacon
End of Presentation
Mike Hardy, PE, PTOE City of Appleton DPW Traffic Section (920) 832‐5580
[email protected] 2016 ITE Traffic Engineering Workshop & Transportation Planning Forum April 20th, 2016