HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/2008 03C Citizen Service Request Response RE: History and Status of Enhanced Crosswalk Request•
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COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
TO Mayor and Members of the City Council
Dick Zais, City Manager
FROM Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works
Shelley Willson, Street and Traffic Operations Manager
Joan Davenport, Supervising Traffic Engineer
DATE January 9, 2008
SUBJECT History and Status of Enhanced Crosswalk Request from Tony Courcy
This report summarizes the history and status of the request by Mr Tony Courcy, 919 N 16th
Avenue, for a crosswalk enhancement at North 16th Avenue and Hathaway Street. Below are
excerpts from the minutes of City Council meetings, where available
February 6, 2007 — Yakima City Council meeting, Audience Participation. Mr Tony Courcy
asked if a push-button pedestrian crossing signal could be installed at the intersection of
North 16th Avenue with Hathaway Street. Mr Ryan Pell, an employee of DSHS was also
present. A written request was presented to the Council
February 8, 2007 — As a follow-up to the February 6th request, staff was asked to respond to
Mr Courcy's crosswalk request. Joan Davenport, Supervising Traffic Engineer called Mr
Courcy to explain there is no funding for a pedestrian crosswalk signal at this location The
City maintains a list of requests and actively seeks State and Federal grant funding for
pedestrian safety projects. This location is on the list for requested safety improvements A
simple painted crosswalk is not recommended in this location without additional safety
improvements.
A report for City Council will be submitted for Information on February 20th detailing this
matter Mr Courcy stated he would be attending the Council meeting
February 20, 2007 - City Council Business meeting, Status Report on Service Request.
Shelley Wilson, Streets and Traffic Operations Manager, reported on a meeting that had been
held on this subject. Staff prepared a map showing where we have pedestrian and bicycle
collisions in Yakima and noted they have received 19 other requests for pedestrian -type facilities
across arterial streets Because there have been several accidents along the 16th Avenue
corridor, the Transportation Plan raises the need to address safety issues there Staff
recommends taking a programmatic approach and look at all intersections to determine what
needs to be done and how to spend available money while pursuing state and federal grants
The number of correctable incidents is a highly considered item when applying for grants
Council Information — History of Courcy Crosswalk Request
Page 1 of 5
The Pedestrian/Bicycle Committee, as well as the Council Transportation Committee, would
review these issues Mrs Willson, responding to a suggestion of just painting a cross walk as
temporary measure, said, with volumes like this, industry standards are not to paint cross walk
lines Across the United States, studies have shown that with a painted crosswalk alone, you will
end up with collisions Council Member Johnson agreed that we need some kind of a stop gap
measure Mrs Willson reminded them that there are 19 areas with similar requests We can
look into flashing lights and bring that option back to Council It was noted that there are
alternatives but it is a prioritization problem Some of these requests have been waiting for a
number of years.
March 6, 2007 - City Council Business Meeting, Audience Participation Tony Courcy asked
when the City would address the need for a crosswalk or signal light at 16th Avenue and
Hathaway Public Works Director Chris Waarvick responded that his department is initiating
traffic studies at this location, as well as nine other locations, to determine the needs The
Council Transportation Committee at an upcoming meeting will address this concern
Mr Courcy will be notified of the meeting schedule
April 12, 2007 — City of Yakima Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting Staff
presented a draft report and map from Traffic Engineering regarding "Arterial Street Crosswalk
Analysis". This study presented findings and recommendations on 21 locations where citizens
have requested crosswalk projects on Arterial Streets This report included the location
requested by Mr Courcy of North 16th Avenue and Hathaway Field studies were conducted at
each of the 21 locations and extensive research from other cities as well as State and Federal
requirements and standards Two crosswalk locations were given high priority since they met tl1
criteria for a crosswalk project:
(1) 16th Avenue at Bonnie Doone (adjacent to YVCC)
(2) Martin Luther King Blvd at North 4th Street.
The intersection of North 16th Avenue and Hathaway Street was included in the study and on
the future project list but does not currently meet the requirements for improvement. The
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee endorsed the study and recommended the City
Council adopt the findings
May 1, 2007 — City Council Business Meeting, Audience Participation Tony Courcy asked
for the status on his previous request for a pedestrian activated crosswalk at 16th Avenue and
Hathaway He was advised that a study has been initiated on approximately 23 crossings
and he was invited to attend a meeting on May 14th where the subject will be discussed
May 14, 2007 — City Council Transportation Planning Committee meeting Neil opened the
meeting at 2 00 Shelley Willson summarized the Arterial Street Crosswalk Study conducted
by staff that examined 21 locations, including 16th Avenue & Hathaway Street. Mr Courcy
was present at this meeting and provided a copy of the report.
The study analyzed traffic volume, vehicle gaps, speed of traffic, number of lanes and
number of pedestrians during the noon hour and the PM peak hour of traffic at all 21
locations. The Findings of the study identified a priority list of crosswalk locations where
future safety improvements are recommended The intersection of 16th Avenue and Bonnie
Council Information — History of Courcy Crosswalk Request
Page 2 of 5
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Doone at YVCC was rated as the top priority for a safety improvement. At this time, 16th Ave
& Hathaway Street did not meet the criteria for installation of the necessary safety
improvements, but should be closely monitored It was noted that sidewalks on 16th Avenue
would be a significant improvement. Council members had discussion regarding funding
options and the need to address this issue
June 5, 2007 — City Council Business Meeting, Audience Participation Tony Courcy,
continuing from previous Council meetings, addressed the Council concerning a need for a
pedestrian crosswalk on 16th Avenue at its intersection with Hathaway He claimed he made
his original request in February and is still waiting for action on the issue He also related his
pedestrian traffic counts City staff was asked to respond
June 10, 2007 - Memo from Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works to City Council
detailing the work conducted by staff to date regarding the requested crosswalk project at
North 16th Avenue and Hathaway Street. A copy of the Arterial Street Crosswalk Analysis
and map was distributed to each City Council member, as well as other related materials
June 19, 2007 — City Council Business Meeting, Status Report on Service Request
Response to Tony Courcy's request for pedestrian safety improvements at 16th Avenue and
Hathaway Chris Waarvick, Public Works Director, summarized the report and advised that
this location does not meet the criteria for improvements at this time but is on the future
project list.
June 29, 2007 — Letter from Gregg Broyles, Regional Business Manager of Department of
Social and Health Services supporting the need for improved pedestrian safety on 16th
Avenue in the vicinity of the DSHS building
July 3, 2007 — City Council Business Meeting, Audience Participation Tony Courcy, with
Ryan Pell, appealed to Council to authorize a crosswalk at 16th Avenue and Hathaway He
has received approximately 200 signatures on a petition for the crosswalk. Council Member
Cawley advised that the City is working with DSHS on a permanent, safe solution
Also, the City Council the crosswalk at 16th and Hathaway to the Six Year Transportation
Plan, 2008 — 2013
July 17, 2007 — Letter from Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works to Gregg Broyles,
DSHS providing copy of the Arterial Street Crosswalk Analysis and summarized the
recommendations for future safety improvement project.
August 7, 2007 — City Council Business Meeting, Audience Participation Tony Courcy
asked for a crosswalk on 16th Avenue at Hathaway Street.
November 20, 2007 — City Council Business Meeting, Audience Participation. Tony Courcy
again requested the Council to install a crosswalk at 16th Avenue and Hathaway and again
was told this location was not safe for a pedestrian crosswalk. Council Member Bonlender
described the "Adopt a Crosswalk" program that uses safety flags and is being used in other
cities. ACTION: A motion was made to direct staff to bring forth a recommendation on this
Council Information — History of Courcy Crosswalk Request
Page 3 of 5
program, discuss the idea with legislators in January, meet with the Secretary of the
Department of Social and Health Services and ask the Legal department for risk
management ramifications on this issue VOTE: Motion failed 4-3, Edler, Lover, McClure
and Whitman voting no
December 4, 2007 — Letter from Mayor David Edler to Robin Arnold -Williams, Secretary of
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services providing background
information on crosswalk safety project, included copy of Arterial Street Crosswalk Analysis
and requested funding from Washington State to install the appropriate safety measures.
December 11, 2007 — City Council Business Meeting, Status Report. Tony Courcy spoke
about flagging of crosswalk at 16th Avenue and Hathaway and correspondence to DSHS
Secretary
Shelley Willson, Street and Traffic Operations Manager, addressed the "Adopt a Crosswalk
Program " that Councilman Bonlender raised during the December 4, 2007 meeting The
program was included in the Arterial Street Crosswalk Study (page 2) presented to Council
Transportation Committee on May 14, 2007 and City Council on June 19, 2007 The analysis
completed in April of 2007 by the Public Works Department indicated that pedestrian flags
may be considered as a safety enhancement for pedestrian crossings on Arterial streets
where
1 Traffic volumes are under 12,000 vehicles daily,
2 Travel speed is 30 MPH or less, and
3 The street has 2 or 3 lanes with at least 20 pedestrians during the peak demand
period
Due to the high volume and speed of traffic as well as the width of the street, North 16th
Avenue in the vicinity of Hathaway Street does not meet these conditions
December 13, 2007 — Meeting between DSHS Administrative staff and City Public Works
staff to discuss potential improvements for pedestrian safety Given the volume and speed of
traffic a pedestrian activated traffic signal is recommended City Public Works staff cannot
recommend an interim measure for a crosswalk project that does not stop traffic. There are
sidewalk gaps, lack of ADA sidewalk ramps, and a number of poles, fences and other
obstructions that will need to be addressed to implement this project. It was noted that
Yakima Transit made modifications in their routing, in order to reduce the need for transit
riders to cross 16th Avenue
December 18, 2007 — Letter from Robin Arnold -Williams, Secretary of Washington State
Department of Social and Health Services to Mayor Edler acknowledging the mutual interest
in pedestrian safety near the office building at 16th Avenue and Hathaway Street, but noting
that State funding from DSHS is not currently available for this project.
Council Information — History of Courcy Crosswalk Request
Page 4 of 5
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Summary of Project Status
1 The project is listed on the City of Yakima 6 -Year Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) which is a requirement for grant application processes
2 The City Council approved a 2008 Budget Policy Issue that will fund crosswalk
projects at 16th Avenue & Bonnie Doone as well as Martin Luther King Jr Blvd at 4th
Street. If this program is extended, funding for this improvement may be available in
future years
3 City staff actively pursue grant funding opportunities
4 City staff and DSHS are coordinating potential improvements
5 The Secretary of DSHS has requested financial assistance from the DSHS Chief
Financial Officer for possible funding assistance
Council Information — History of Courcy Crosswalk Request
Page 5 of 5
RECEIVED
CITY OF YAKIMA
DEP
DEC 2 4 2007 P
OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL
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STATE OF WASHINGTON
RTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
O. Box 45010, Olympia, Washington 98504-5010
The Honorable David Edler
Mayor of Yakima
129 North Second Street
Yakima, WA 98901
Dear Mayor Eder.
December 18, 2007
Thank you for your letter of December 4th, following up on our mutual interest in the
safety of pedestrians near our office building at 16 and Hathaway
The city's review of potential traffic management improvement efforts was informative
A review of the city's ranking of pedestrian safety projects and the metrics collected by
the city clearly place the 16 and Hathaway project among the more pressing projects
for future consideration by the city
While I will decline your suggestion to consider the department make improvements at
this intersection, I have asked my Chief Financial Officer to look into funding sources
that may be available to help the city cover the cost of this project. I am pleased that the
city is taking seriously the concerns expressed by employees and clients of the
department. The city clearly has demands that exceed available resources and careful
prioritization is required, something all public managers are familiar with
Thank you for your continued attention to this issue
Sincerely,
kta4AL- &,zild— Idc�C.a4€4.
Robin Amold-Williams
Secretary
FOR COUNCIL INFO ONLY
C _ES
DATE
Arterial Street Crosswalk Analysis
Citizens hope to Improve pedestrian safety by requesting marked crosswalks on busy Arterial Streets. However, a marked crosswalk alone, without additional safety
treatments is not recommended in many locations. 21 crosswalks at un -signalized high speed and volume Arterial street intersections were studied and evaluated
in March 2007 The engineering treatments can be grouped into three categories, based on conditions The minimum hourly pedestrian volume for any treatment is
at least 14 pedestrians Five locations met the criteria for crosswalks. Other locations will continue to be monitored and evaluated for future projects
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Active Enhancement Treatment
0 Meets Criteria Criteria not currently met
Traffic volumes exceed 15,000 daily vehicles, speed
exceeds 35 MPH and Arterial street has 4 or more lanes
with no raised median The minimum use is at least 14
pedestrians during peak demand for this treatment A
pedestrian activated system with a steady RED or
flashing RED beacon is most effective in promoting
vehicles to stop or yield to pedestrians The average cost
to install treatment is over $100,000 per location
Map #
Location of Crosswalk
Request
Ped
Acc
5 -Yrs
Traffic
Volume
on 4 -lane
Arterial
85th %
Speed
Posted
Speed
Peds
Highest
Hr
(noon,
PM)
# 15s
gaps
(PM)
Transit
Use
Priority
0 1
16th Ave & Bonnie Doone
2
24,100
39
35
35
8
High
1
di 2
1 st St & "N" St
3
21,820
40
35
14
3
Often
1
e 3
16th Ave & Hathaway St
0
19,700
38
35
11
1
Light
2
e 4
Nob Hill Ave & S 22nd Ave
0
26,500
40
30
8
6
Light
2
5
16th Ave & Jerome Ave
0
21,500
39
35
6
2
Often
2
6
Summitview & 60th Ave
0
17,750
42
35
5
1
Fair
2
7
Lincoln Ave & 18th Ave
2
15,600
39
30
4
7
Fair
2
i!!!1 8
Lincoln Ave & 24th Ave
0
15,600
39
30
4
1
Fair
2
9
16th Ave & Mead Ave
0
18,500
43
35
3
2
Light
2
10
Tieton Dr & 52nd Ave
0
17,020
41
35
2
4
Light
2
11
40th Ave & Arlington
0
16,400
28
35
2
6
Often 2
12
Lincoln Ave & 22nd Ave
0
15,600
39
30
1
5
Light
2
13
Washington & Landon Ave
0
15,650
42
30
0
8
Light
2
Enhanced Crossing Treatment
• Meets Criteria d Catena not currently met
Map #
Location of Crosswalk
Request
Ped.
Acc.
5 -Yrs
Traffic
Volume
on 4 -lane
Arterial
85th %
Speed
Posted
Speed
Peds
Highest
Hr (noon,
PM)
# 15s
gaps
(PM)
Transit
Use
Priority
:14
MLK Blvd & 4th St
1
7,570
35
30
46
49
No
1
15
Fruitvale Blvd & 9th Ave
0
11,875
40
35
13
20
Often
1
16
5th Ave & Pine St
1
14,100
35
30
4
8
No
2
17
Yakima Ave & 9th Ave
0
10,900
37
25
3
11
Fair
2
18
16th Ave & Perry St
0
12,300
43
35
1
17
No
2
19
Summitview & 88th Ave
0
10,500
45
35
0
9
Light
2
Traffic volumes between 9,000 and 12,000 daily vehicles, speed of 30 MPH or more and at least 14 pedestrians during peak hour Marked crosswalks should
be supplemented by one or more treatments to increase pedestrian safety and compliance of drivers to stop or yield to pedestrians Raised medians, in -
street flashers or amber beacons are most common treatments Average cost per location exceeds $35,000
Marked Crosswalk Treatment
® Meets Criteria Criteria not currently met
Map #
Location of
Crosswalk Request
Ped
Acc
5 -Yrs
Traffic
Volume
on
Arterial
85th %
Speed
Posted
Speed
Peds
Highest
Hr (noon,
PM)
#
15s
gaps
(PM)
Transit
Use
Priority
• 20
Fair Ave & Race St
1
11,010
33
30
6
3
No
school
21
Fair Ave & Beech St
0
11,010
33
30
6
28
Fair
2
Traffic volumes less than 12,000 daily vehicles, speed of 30 MPH or less with2 or 3 travel lanes to cross A minimum pedestrian activity of 14 people
during the peak demand hour is generally required Marked crosswalks are Installed at school patrol locations and at signalized intersections
City of Yakima Public Works,Traffic Engineering, 2301 Fruitvale Blvd, Yakima, WA 98902, April 2007
http //www.ci.yakima.wa. us/services/streets