Complete Streets Michigan’s Approach Mark A. Van Port Fleet AASHTO SCOD Annual Meeting July 15, 2008

Why accommodate our non-motorized friends?

I’m a ped, you’re a ped, wouldn’t you like to be a ped too?

MDOT’s Mission Statement “Providing the highest quality integrated transportation services for economic benefit and improved quality of life”

Legislative Change Change to state law allowing the use of state funds to construct sidewalks.

2007 Energy Bill “…includes a sense of Congress that Complete Streets Design Techniques be considered when constructing new roadways or rehabilitating existing facilities. State and local governments shall consider policies designed to accommodate all users, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and people of all ages and abilities.”

LIABILITY: AGENCY liability risk low: –Repair and Maintain –No design liability –Road bed surface only EMPLOYEE liability risk also low: – Gross negligence standard – “The” proximate cause requirement

MDOT Non-Motorized Committee Created In 2006 Meeting since October 2006 “The Committee will serve as forum for Staff to discuss non-motorized topics and work with one another on non-motorized issues by providing input and resources to one another.”

Non-Motorized Committee Members Include Traffic & Safety Non- Motorized Specialist Standards Engineer Region System Manager Economic Developments Specialist Environmental Planning Manager Senior Mobility Specialist Tort Liability Specialist Engineer of Design CSS Specialist

Staff Training and Actions Conducted ADA Training in 2008 –400 MDOT staff trained Held FHWA Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety –Over 50 MDOT staff trained MDOT Call for Projects to include Pedestrian/Bicycle design features where applicable. Conducted Safety Audits Working with Schools along trunkline routes to make more pedestrian and bike friendly

What can you do? Road Safety Audit Photo: Craig Allred (FHWA)

A road safety audit also… Considers the safety of all road users Considers interactions at the borders or limits of the project Examines the interaction of project elements Proactively considers mitigation measures ads/PedRSA.reduced.pdf

Master Promptlist Zones: –Streets –Street Crossings –Parking Areas / Adjacent Developments –Transit Areas Subtopics: –Presence, Design and Placement –Quality, Condition, and Obstructions –Continuity and Connectivity –Lighting –Visibility –Access Management –Traffic Characteristics –Signs and Pavement Markings –Signals

Detailed Promptlist

Design

Accessibility

Lighting

Visibility

Access Management

Continuity, Connectivity and Channelization

Signs, Markings and Traffic Control Devices, Oh My

Traffic Characteristics

Behavior and Conflicts with Other Road Users

Ideally, Pedestrians would cross at a controlled intersection

But the reality is quite different

Where is Ped at end of WALK Signal? Elderly (3 ft/sec): 48’ to curb AB Adult (4 ft/sec): 32’ to curb

Use of Countdown Pedestrian Signals Photo courtesy of tfhrc.gov

Countdown Pedestrian Signals Countdown Signals Provides Additional Information to Ped Peds Adjust Speed Peace of Mind Target - $0.5 M

Pedestrian Relief Islands

Pedestrian Relief Island US-12 in Sturgis, Michigan

4 to 3 Lane Conversions Michigan study – 8 corridors Left turners cross only one lane Injury crashes 26% E. Lansing M-43 Ped. Injuries 37%

Conceptual Streetscape - Commercial

Conceptual Streetscape - Residential

Roundabouts and Pedestrians?

Non-Motorized Trails for Bay Region

Thank You