Council Communication

Title:	Discussion Regarding Downtown Pedestrian Safety Improvement in Connection with ODOT and Paving Project on Main and Lithia.
Dept:	Public Works Department
Date:	February 19, 2002
Submitted By:	Paula Brown
Reviewed By:	Greg Scoles

Synopsis:	At the January 15th meeting, the Ashland City Council received comments from several citizens and discussed items regarding pedestrian safety and the recent pedestrian fatality. The Council charged the Traffic Safety Commission with recommending a comprehensive plan for improving traffic safety. The Traffic Safety Commission is scheduled to make a presentation to the Council on April 2, 2002. In addition, the Mayor and Council requested that staff evaluate potential immediate solutions to improve pedestrian safety. Staff has been discussing options to implement some of the prominent pedestrian safety items that are illustrated in the Draft Ashland Downtown Plan Phase II (David Evans and Associates, June 26, 2001). Initial discussions have included the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) as they are in the process of scheduling pavement overlay, concrete ramps, curb work and signage through the downtown area to begin as early as May 2002.
Recommendation:	Staff recommends the Council direct staff to take the following actions: 1) Change to the European ladder-style (zebra crossings) crosswalk markings at all intersections through the downtown couplet (E. Main and Lithia Way); 2) In conjunction with the ODOT paving and signage project this summer, design and construct additional curb bump-outs at several locations (as shown on the attached sketch) including: North Main at Water Street, E. Main at Oak Street, E. Main Street at First Street, Lithia Way at First Street, and Lithia Way at Oak Street 3) Evaluate the safety implications of installing imbedded LED crosswalk lights and if feasible, consider installing one set as a trial at the intersection of Oak Street and Lithia Way or at E. Main Street and First Street. 4) Direct staff to develop a modernization / safety improvement project for the approved Ashland Downtown Plan Phase II to be submitted to ODOT for the State Transportation Improvement Program for funding in FY06 or FY07. [Note: This requires Council to approve the Ashland Downtown Plan Phase II]
Fiscal Impact:	Initial cost estimates for this scale of pedestrian improvements is approximately $60,000 for the concrete bump outs and as much as $50,000 per set of imbedded lighting. Funds are not currently identified for this project. Staff will continue to work with ODOT for some level of additional partnering for this work. If funds are not available, and this is a priority for the Council, staff recommends that the funding for the Laurel Street sidewalk and other miscellaneous concrete project funds be deferred a year to FY04, so that this Downtown Pedestrian Safety Improvement project can be included for funding in FY03. ODOT has already agreed to install the European ladder-style crosswalks with a thermo-plastic material in the downtown core as a part of their project. In turn, the City will maintain these crossings.
Background:	On December 20, 2001, an Ashland resident, Mrs. Joan Bournstein was walking in the crosswalk on East Main Street at First Street and was struck by a pick-up truck and tragically killed. This incident occurred at 5:46 pm on a clear, dry evening. East Main Street at this location has three southbound lanes, with marked crosswalks on all four legs of the intersection. This intersection is not signalized but is well lighted with luminaries at three of the four corners including a 30 foot, 250 watt luminary at the northeast corner. This tragic accident is not the result of a failing infrastructure, poor lighting, a poorly designed intersection, or any act of nature; it is clearly the result of a vehicle failing to observe a pedestrian in the crosswalk. This type of crash and other similar near misses have become all too common in Ashland. The Traffic Safety Commission is committed to pedestrian safety have spent significant time on developing a Safety Plan that would encourage dedication to the "3 Es" - Enforcement, Education and Engineering. They have also invested significant time in developing a Traffic Safety Video dedicated to pedestrian and vehicle awareness. Following is a summary of initial suggestions developed by the Traffic Safety Commission. These items are to be further discussed by the Traffic Safety Commission and will be brought to Council as a recommendation with their report in April. Their summary is organized into Enforcement, Education and Engineering and is included as preliminary information. Enforcement 1. Request that police enforce speed limits as posted with a much tighter discretionary tolerance. 2. Request that Police conduct more frequent visible crosswalk enforcement actions. 3. Recommend additional traffic officer be hired. 4. Explore ways in which police volunteers can be more effective in pedestrian safety role. 5. Strive for a commitment from Police and Court personnel to "crack down" on drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians. 6. Examine the possibility of creating City Ordinances regarding pedestrian safety. Enact local ordinances that would increase the fines for pedestrian safety infractions. Establish a special "safety area" within the central business district, with increased fines. Establish a 10 or 12 foot (travel lane sized) "Moving area of auto free pedestrian protection zone" with an associated fine. 7. Encourage the use of the radar reader board that displays vehicle speeds. Coordinate with the Engineering Office regarding areas of need. Education 1. Continue to use the Utility Billing flyer to include safety messages each month. 2. Contact the Daily Tidings with a request to publish (without cost) a weekly or monthly safety tip or suggestion. 3. Encourage the publication of articles and guest commentaries on pedestrian and traffic safety. 4. Meet with the Tidings, SOU, Chamber of Commerce and other civic groups regarding the role that each can play and how best to project an increased awareness of safety. 5. Work with the Tidings to create a "Safety Campaign" to help raise awareness. 6. Continue to develop and implement the pedestrian safety signs. 7. Examine ways in which the Pedestrian Safety Video, which is currently being developed, can be shown to a broad audience. 8. Continue the ongoing "KKAD 25" sign program, "Street Smart" program with the Driver's Education at AHS and the "Safety Chicken" activities. 9. Develop a "Pedestrian Safety" brochure or "Crosswalk Safety" brochure to be distributed through the Chamber of Commerce, Elementary Schools and other outlets. 10. Look into developing an "Adopt a Crosswalk" Program. 11. Examine the "Official Pace Car" program for application in Ashland. Engineering 1. Encourage activation of the "Downtown Plan" with a special emphasis to be placed on pedestrian safety. 2. Continue the use of ladder or European style crosswalk markings. Contact ODOT for possible financial assistance. 3. Consider the use of a painted " LOOK ®" message at the beginning of each crosswalk in the downtown area to remind pedestrians of their responsibility to look before crossing. 4. Continue the process of lowering speed limits on main Ashland Streets. 5. Examine the Central Business District for high crash or problem intersections. Look at ways to improve these areas. 6. Examine the use of pedestrian flags to be carried by pedestrians using crosswalks. 7. Research the use of in-roadway L.E.D. lighted crosswalk markers. 8. Look into the use of count down timers to replace the "Walk - Don't Walk" pedestrian signals.

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