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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9.
For Meeting of: February 2, 2021
ITEM TITLE: Status Report of Traffic-Calming along 40th Ave and Chestnut
SUBMITTED BY: Scott Schafer, Public Works Director
Joe Rosenlund, Streets & Traffic Operations Manager- 576-6430
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the November 17, 2020 City Council meeting, City Council requested a review of the
pedestrian crossing at the intersection of 40th Avenue and Chestnut Street in addition to traffic-
calming opportunities for the 40th Ave and Chestnut area.
Enclosed is a memorandum with recommended revisions for the pedestrian crossing at the
intersection of 40th & Chestnut as well as the data results for traffic-calming along Chestnut
between 40th and 48th Ave. As this remains a work in progress, staff will be reporting back to City
Council at a later date with further results.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept Report
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
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Memorandum
January 27, 2021
To: Honorable Mayor, Members of City Council, and Bob Harrison, City Manager
From: Scott Schafer, Public Works Director
Joe Rosenlund, Streets & Traffic Operations Manager
Subject: Review and evaluation of the Pedestrian Crossing at 40'h Ave and Chestnut and
a Status Report of potential Traffic-Calming along Chestnut Ave. between 40'h to
48th Ave.
At the November 17, 2020 City Council meeting, City Council requested a review of the
pedestrian crossing at the intersection of 40'h Avenue and Chestnut Street in addition to traffic-
calming opportunities for the 40'h Ave and Chestnut area.
Chestnut Street Crossing at 40th Avenue
The pedestrian crossing and access restrictions at Chestnut Street on 40'h Avenue was installed
in 2017 to 1) reduce vehicle collisions and 2) assist pedestrians and cyclists cross 40'h Avenue
in a safe manner. Input from the Bike/Ped Committee was incorporated into its design.
The modifications have been successful in reducing vehicle collisions from an average of 10 per
year to an average of only 2 per year. However, the objective of improving the ability and safety
for pedestrians and cyclists in crossing 40'h Ave. has been less successful. Driver compliance to
stop when the flashing beacons are activated alerting them to the presence of pedestrians and
cyclists trying to cross 40'h Avenue has been poor. The issue is due to drivers either being
unwilling or not knowing to stop for pedestrians/cyclists at the activated beacon.
Recommended short-term improvements include relocating the advance warning signs closer to
the pedestrian crossing. The signs are currently located just beyond the recommended
distance so the warning may be forgotten prior to the driver seeing the pedestrian crossing.
Another revision staff is actively pursuing is to add "Stop When Occupied" signs at the
pedestrian crossing locations. This would inform drivers to stop when the beacons are activated
and would assist law enforcement with any violators.
A third improvement staff is evaluating is to possibly replace the existing curb median with one
that is slightly taller and more securely affixed to the pavement. Vehicles have occasionally
brushed up against the existing curbing; causing it to become loose. In addition, staff is
exploring on narrowing the area between the edge of the crosswalk and the curb median to
discourage vehicles from cutting across the intersection illegally. Bollards or similar
obstructions within the actual crosswalk will not be installed as this may pose an increased
hazard to the pedestrians and cyclists.
Unfortunately, these short-term improvements would have only a small, marginal benefit on
pedestrian safety or ease of use. What is needed is the installation of a HAWK (High-Intensity
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Activated crossWalK) signal. A HAWK signal is a pedestrian actuated signal that requires traffic
to stop for the pedestrian but allows traffic to flow again once the pedestrian is clear of the traffic
lane.
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Cost of installation for a HAWK system is approximately $200,000. Staff will pursue applicable
grant funding opportunities.
Chestnut Street Traffic Calming (40'h to 48'h Ave)
Initial data collection and safety evaluation has been initiated for potential traffic- calming along
Chestnut Street between 40'h Avenue and 48'h Avenue. Chestnut Street is classified as a local
street and designated bike route. Within this section, the pavement varies in width between 22
and 28 feet and is in fair condition. There are currently no curb or sidewalks except for
approximately 600 feet along the north side, east of 48'h Avenue. The area is predominantly
residential with 43 parcels abutting the roadway; 29 of which have direct access to Chestnut
Street. This section of Chestnut Street is not identified as a school walking route. Street lights
are located at each intersection.
There is an average weekday traffic count of 888 vehicles per day traveling on Chestnut Street
with a peak hour average of 85 vehicles. There have been no reported accidents in the last four
years other than those occurring at the intersection of 40'h Avenue and Chestnut Street.
The posted speed on Chestnut Street is 20 miles per hour (mph). The average speed of
vehicles on Chestnut Street is 21.8 mph. The average speed of those exceeding the speed limit
is 24.7 mph. Data indicates that 6% of the traffic volume exceeds the speed limit by more than
10 mph.
The above data indicates drivers are routinely exceeding the posted speed limit of 20 mph, but
generally not by more than 5 mph. Based on the initial review, Chestnut Street does qualify for
traffic-calming measures. City staff will be working closely with the Bike/Ped Committee to
figure out possible solutions for traffic-calming within this area. Traffic-calming is a lengthy
process since it is based on data, not perception. Our Traffic-Calming Policy focuses on
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Education, Enforcement and then Engineering. This remains a work in progress and will require
staff to report back to City Council at a later date with further results.