Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-1 Designing Roads for Multimodal Safety & Access

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-2 Context - Stakeholders  All users of the transportation system  Caltrans District Bike & Ped Coordinators  Caltrans Advisory Groups  Advocacy Groups  Emergency Providers  Legislature (AB 1358 – Complete Streets)

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-3 Overview of pedestrian safety problem  Nationwide:  In 2005, 4,881 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, representing 11% of all fatalities (increase of 4.4% over 2004)  Approximately 64,000 pedestrians were injured

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-4 Overview of pedestrian safety problem  California:  17% of all crash fatalities are pedestrians.  14% of all crash injuries are pedestrians. Caltrans’ Strategic Highway Safety Plan

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-5 Overview of pedestrian safety problem  Most pedestrian crashes occur when the pedestrian crosses a road  Most fatalities and serious injuries occur on roads designed with little attention for pedestrian safety.  Pedestrians are rarely killed in walkable environments.

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-6 Presentation Outcomes  Describe that people belong in all geometric design, operations and safety considerations, no matter their mode of travel  Describe resources for information on scoping and designing for all modes  Describe some measures to increase safe interaction between all road users

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-7 Why is it important to accommodate pedestrians? Minneapolis MN To reach Caltrans’ Mobility Goal

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-8 Why is it important to accommodate pedestrians? Because many cannot drive

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-9 Why is it important to accommodate pedestrians? Because other modes depend on walking Madison WI

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-10 Why is it important to accommodate pedestrians? Because it’s good for business Stillwater MN

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-11 Why is it important to accommodate pedestrians? Because it will make roads safer for all road users Portland ME … Because “Pedestrians Belong”…

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-12 AASHTO: “ Because of the demands of vehicular traffic in congested areas, it is often extremely difficult to make adequate provisions for pedestrians. Yet this must be done, because pedestrians are the lifeblood of our urban areas …” (1994 ed, p 97) Why is it important to accommodate pedestrians? Sisters OR

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-13 Design information & guidance can be found in established, respected documents: AASHTO: Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE):

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-14 Design information & guidance can be found in established, respected documents: Highway Design Manual HDMPDPM Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices + Cal Supplement MUTCD Project Development Procedures Manual

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-15 Design information & guidance can be found in established, respected documents: FHWA

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-16 AASHTO Strategic Safety Plan Guidebooks Website for NCHRP Report 500:

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-17 TEA-21 (1999):  “ The non-motorized modes are an integral part of the mission of FHWA and a critical element of the local, regional, and national transportation system. ”  “… mainstreaming of bicycle and pedestrian projects into the planning, design, and operation of our Nation ’ s transportation system. ” US Congressional Legislation/US DOT Policy

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-18 Americans with Disabilities Act:  “ No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities or a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity. ” US Congressional Legislation

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-19 US DOT Policy (1999 and 2000) FHWA Program Guidance on Bicycle and Pedestrian Provisions of Federal-Aid Program:  “… bicycle and pedestrian improvements can be routinely included in federally funded transportation projects and program. ”  “… bicycling and walking facilities will be incorporated into all transportation projects unless ‘ exceptional circumstances ’ exist. ”  “… FHWA will encourage the development and implementation of bicycle and pedestrian plans as part of the overall transportation planning process. ”

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-20 “… it is the intent of the Legislature that all levels of government in the state, particularly the Department of Transportation, work to provide convenient and safe passage for pedestrians on and across all streets and highways …” California Vehicle Code Section 21949

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-21 “ It is the policy of the State of California that safe and convenient pedestrian travel and access, whether by foot, wheelchair, walker, or stroller, be provided to the residents of the state. ” California Vehicle Code Section 21949

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-22  “ Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle … except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application ”  All roads where bicycling is not prohibited should be designed for their use California Vehicle Code Section 21200

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-23 “ The Department shall not construct … a freeway that will result in the severance or destruction of an existing major route for non-motorized transportation traffic unless it provides a reasonable, safe, and convenient alternate route or such a route exists. ” Streets & Highways Code Section 888, PDPM Chapter 31, Section 2

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-24 Rule on... … WORK ZONE ……Safety and Mobility 23 CFR 630 Subpart J Developing and Implementing Transportation Management Plans for Work Zones

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-25  “ The Department views all transportation improvements as opportunities to improve safety, access, and mobility for all travelers in California and recognizes bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes as integral elements of the transportation system. ” Deputy Directive (DD)-64 Complete Streets – Integrating the Transportation System

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-26 Planning and street design elements that affect bicyclist & pedestrian safety:  Land use  Connectivity  Access management  Site design  Level of Service (LOS) standards

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-27 Post WW2 development patterns favor:  Segregated Land Uses  Long travel distances  Commercial activities concentrated in auto- dominated corridors.  Not very nice for walking or biking!

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-28 Generica Missoula MT

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-29 Cul-de-sac patterns increase walking distances & increase reliance on arterials & increase reliance on arterials Phoenix AZ You live here, your child wants to visit a friend who lives not far away; how do you get there? Connectivity

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-30 High ConnectivityTravel Lanes Required Moderate Connectivity Low Connectivity

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-31 Access Management

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-32 Access Management: Every driveway is a potential conflict Atlanta GA

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-33 Walk in front or in back? Pull forward or back up? Drivers and pedestrians must make choices: Portland OR

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-34 Site Design

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-35 Principles : Access for each mode should be: Direct Direct Safe Safe Convenient Convenient

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-36 Level of Service (LOS) standards: Their impact on street design and pedestrian safety Rethinking the role of urban streets

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-37 A “complete street” accommodates many uses; Pedestrians are at low risk in this environment Portland OR

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-38 How have we built our highway system? To facilitate travel over longer distances To facilitate travel over longer distances Las Vegas NV

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-39 The various purposes for roads:  To move from A to B mobility  For mobility  To access our homes, businesses, schools & other community centers  To walk or bike: access & mobility Washington DC Sidewalks provide both access and mobility

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-40 A multi-modal street can meet these needs, with some tradeoffs

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-41 Auto-oriented street: high risk Albuquerque NM

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-42 Pedestrians and drivers must use the streets together What is the core safety issue? Discussion: what does the driver see that says “slow down, watch for pedestrians”?  On-street parking  Narrow cross-section  Buildings close to street  Sidewalks  Crosswalk  People!

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-43 Why are pedestrians are at high risk on this street? Las Vegas NV  Multi-lane roadway, high speeds

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-44 Reinventing the roadway: Transform a 5-lane commercial strip to … Portland OR

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-45 …a safer road for everyone Discussion: 1. What changed? Discussion: 2. What didn’t change?

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-46 Next: Crash Reduction Factors