Village of New Albany & New Albany-Plain Local Schools. Learning Community Campus. School Travel Plan

Transcription

1 & -Plain Local Schools Learning Community Campus School Travel Plan

2 & -Plain Local Schools Learning Community Campus School Travel Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN TEAM MEMBERS SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION SECTION 3: PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS SECTION 4: DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOLS SECTION 5: SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS SECTION 6: CURRENT SCHOOL TRAVEL ENVIRONMENT SECTION 7: BARRIERS TO ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION SECTION 8: CREATING SOLUTIONS AND COUNTERMEASURES SECTION 9: IMPROVEMENTS MAPPING SECTION 10: THE ACTION PLAN SECTION 11: PLAN ENDORSEMENTS SECTION 12: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Page 2 of 62

3 SECTION 1: SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN TEAM MEMBERS The and the -Plain Local School Districts SRTS Team is comprised of: Name Mark Nemec William Dorman Tara Brewster Michelle Murphy Mark Chaney Joel Strahler Greg Jones Scott McAfee Joe Ridgeway, PE Stephen Welk, PE Affiliation Director of Public Service Engineering Manager Engineering Coordinator Planner Chief of Police Police Officer, School Resource Officer, Safety Town Police Officer, Safety Town Public Information Officer Traffic Engineer E.P. Ferris & Associates, Inc. Village Engineer Traffic Engineer E P Ferris & Associates, Inc. Village Engineer Stakeholder/ 5E Program Area Local Government Engineering Local Government Engineering Local Government Engineering Local Government Encouragement Public Safety Enforcement Public Safety Enforcement Education Public Safety Enforcement Education Local Government Encouragement Local Government Engineering Local Government Engineering Contact Information 7800 Bevelhymer Road, Ohio, (614) mnemec@villageofnewalbany.org 7800 Bevelhymer Road, Ohio, (614) bdorman@villageofnewalbany.org 7800 Bevelhymer Road, Ohio, (614) tbrewster@villageofnewalbany.org 99 West Main Street, Ohio, (614) mmurphy@villageofnewalbany.org 50 Village Hall Road, Ohio, (614) mchaney@villageofnewalbany.org 50 Village Hall Road, Ohio, (614) jstrahler@villageofnewalbany.org 50 Village Hall Road, Ohio, (614) gjones@villageofnewalbany.org 99 West Main Street, Ohio, (614) smcafee@villageofnewalbany.org E P Ferris & Associates, Inc. 880 King Avenue Columbus, Ohio, (614) jridgeway@epferris.com E P Ferris & Associates, Inc. 880 King Avenue Columbus, Ohio, (614) swelk@epferris.com Page 3 of 62

4 Ken Stark Phil Bice Robin Ryan Chris Briggs Sara Cofer Diana Smith Kelly Schultheis Tirza Cameron Jeff Warner Andy Culp Jimmy Joseph Bill Resch Director of Operations -Plain Local Schools Transportation Coordinator -Plain Local Schools Elementary School Principal (2-3) -Plain Local Schools Elementary School Principal (4-5) -Plain Local Schools Elementary School Wellness/Health Teacher (2-5) -Plain Local Schools Elementary School Teacher (2-5) -Plain Local Schools Elementary School Teacher (2-5) -Plain Local Schools Elementary School Teacher (2-5) -Plain Local Schools Elementary School Teacher (2-5) -Plain Local Schools Middle School Principal (6-8) -Plain Local Schools Middle School Wellness/Health Teacher (6-8) -Plain Local Schools Resident, Parks and Trail Advisory Board President, Outdoor Education Consultant -Plain Local Schools School Education Encouragement School Education School Education School Education School/Health Education School Education School Education School Education School Education School Education School/Health Education Community Encouragement 55 North High Street, Ohio, (614) Johnstown Road, Ohio, (614) North High Street, Ohio, (614) North High Street, Ohio, (614) North High Street, Ohio, (614) North High Street, Ohio, (614) North High Street, Ohio, (614) North High Street, Ohio, (614) North High Street, Ohio, (614) Dublin-Granville Road, Ohio, (614) Dublin-Granville Road, Ohio, (614) North High Street, Ohio, (614) Page 4 of 62

5 Amanda McEldowney Laurie Clouse Parent, Assistant Planner Mid-Ohio Regional Commission Parent, Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Representative Community Encouragement Community Encouragement 111 Liberty Street Columbus, Ohio, (614) Lisa Orsinelli Parent, PTO Representative Community Encouragement Sarah Ryan Parent, PTO Representative Community Encouragement Dinah Coomes Parent, PTO Representative Community Encouragement Steve Pleasnick Darren Meyer Dr. Phil Heit Amy R. Sternstein, MD Mike Smeltzer MPH Councilman, Liaison to the Village Parks and Trails Advisory Board Landscape Architect Meyers Schmalenber Resident, Director of the Walking Club Parent, Clinical Asst. Professor of Pediatrics, Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition, Nationwide Children s Hospital Franklin County Safe Communities Columbus Department of Health Local Government Encouragement Local Government Encouragement Health Encouragement Health Encouragement Health Encouragement 99 West Main Street, Ohio, (614) pleasnicks@cs.com 462 South Ludlow Alley Columbus, Ohio, (614) dmeyer@msidesign.com heitp@aol.com Nationwide Children s Hospital 700 Childrens Drive Columbus, Ohio, (614) Department of Health Town Street Columbus, Ohio, (614) mikes@columbus.gov Mary Chace, MPH Project Manager Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Health Encouragement chace1220@sbcglobal.net Page 5 of 62

6 The following is a list of individuals who are responsible for each of the five E s as outlined in ODOT s SRTS program guidelines: EDUCATION Ken Stark, Director of Operations (-Plain Local Schools) ENCOURAGEMENT Ken Stark, Director of Operations (-Plain Local Schools) ENFORCEMENT Joel Strahler, School Resource Officer ( ) ENGINEERING Stephen Welk, Traffic Engineer (E.P. Ferris & Associates, Inc.) William Dorman, Engineering Manager ( ) EVALUATION Ken Stark, Director of Operations (-Plain Local Schools) William Dorman, Engineering Manager ( ) In December of 2007 representatives from the and the -Plain Local School Districts SRTS team hosted a SRTS STP kickoff meeting. This meeting was comprised of a core group of people with varying perspectives committed to following through with the program. Among those in attendance where: OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Julie Walcoff, Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator E.P. FERRIS & ASSOCIATES Stephen Welk, Traffic Engineer VILLAGE OF NEW ALBANY William Dorman, Engineering Manager Michelle Murphy, Planner Mark Chaney, Police Chief Joel Strahler, School Resource Officer NEW ALBANY-PLAIN LOCAL SCHOOLS Ken Stark, Director of Operations Deloris McCafferty, K-1 School Principal Robin Ryan, 2-3 School Principal Bill Resch, Science Consultant COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH Mike Smeltzer, MPH, Director Division of and Peak Performance NEW ALBANY WALKING CLUB Phil Heit, Head of Walking Club Not in attendance VILLAGE OF NEW ALBANY Steve Pleasnick, Village Council Greg Jones, Safety Town E.P. FERRIS & ASSOCIATES Joe Ridgeway, Traffic Engineer NEW ALBANY-PLAIN LOCAL SCHOOLS Phil Bice, Transportation Coordinator Chris Briggs, 4-5 School Principal Andy Culp: Middle School Principal Laura Ferencz, Elementary School PTO Representative Dina Coomes, Middle School PTO Representative Page 6 of 62

7 A list of speakers and highlights of their presentations are as follows: Julie Walcoff ( Coordinator) - gave a brief history of the program (Conception, design guidelines, funding, etc). William Dorman ( Engineering Manager) - provided an explanation of the s grant application (Existing infrastructure improvements as well as proposed). Michelle Murphy ( Planner) - highlighted recent updates to the s Strategic Plan and the Leisure Trail Master Plan. Stephen Welk (Village Traffic Engineer) - gave an explanation of the Engineering components (One of the five E s contained within ODOT s SRTS program guidelines), discussed the STP requirements, and reviewed previous Learning Campus studies (Crossing s and traffic control devices) throughout the Village and what the Stakeholders may want to consider as they write the STP based on these findings. Ken Stark (-Plain Local Schools Director of Operations) - provided an explanation of the Educational components (One of the five E s contained within ODOT s SRTS program guidelines). Mark Chaney and Joel Strahler ( Police Chief and School Resource Officer) - gave a brief explanation of the s Safety Town (Enrollment trends throughout the past several years, future location, etc.) and the School Resource Officer Program. Mike Smeltzer (Columbus Director Division of and Peak Performance) - gave an explanation of the Health Department s Franklin County Safe Communities efforts for pedestrian safety in metropolitan Columbus. and -Plain Local School Districts SRTS STP kickoff meeting held December Page 7 of 62

8 The current primary contacts for the and -Plain Local Schools Safe Routes to School program are listed below: VILLAGE OF NEW ALBANY William Dorman Engineering Manager 7800 Bevelhymer Road, Ohio Phone (614) Fax (614) NEW ALBANY-PLAIN LOCAL SCHOOLS Ken Stark Director of Operations 55 North High Street, Ohio Phone (614) Fax (614) Page 8 of 62

9 SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION The and the -Plain Local Schools have worked in a collaborative partnership to create a comprehensive pedestrian friendly travel plan, as well as a safe network of trails/sidewalks along our major roadways. This is evident in the Village s Strategic Plan which was originally published in 2001, and recently updated to include a revised Leisure Trail Master Plan in When fully developed this radial trail network will be linked to the 120 acre K-12 Learning Community Campus and its adjacent, fully accessible nature preserve (80 acre wetland/woodland preserves), as well as several nearby recreational/passive parks. The Learning Community Campus and adjacent nature preserve provide an exceptional educational opportunity for Village residents/employees throughout the year, however there is a long standing concern from the Village administration, the -Plain Local School District, and local residents of crossing the arterial roadway system that surrounds (East, West, and South) the Learning Campus Community (Recently completed Leisure Trail Master Plan and the Village Center Plan identified these street crossings as a safety concern). With the movement toward a walkable community, there is an ever increasing desire for more effective treatments to improve pedestrian safety around the Learning Campus Community. Through this collaboration with the STP team members we hope to promote and encourage children to safely walk/bicycle to school. As a result this STP is designed to reinforce these goals through Engineering, and Evaluation strategies which are highlighted throughout. On January 31, 2008 This Week Community Newspapers, ran a front page story announcing Village nets $14K grant for safe school routes. Page 9 of 62

10 SECTION 3: PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS The continues to be developed in accordance with the following community based plans and guidelines: Strategic Plan (Adopted 1998; Updated in 2001, and 2006). Village Center Plan (Adopted 2006): Two of the goals of the Village Center Plan include street connectivity, and pedestrian orientation. This plan identifies the three streets surrounding the Learning Community Campus as primary corridors (Streets that bring people in and through the Village Center). Leisure Trail Master Plan Adopted (2006): The leisure trail system (Currently 24 miles) has been designed to ensuring basic connectivity to neighborhoods, the Village Center, the Learning Community Campus, nature preservers, etc. While a great deal of this system has been constructed, and many of the existing gaps/missing links (Refer to map below) will be constructed in conjunction with future development projects (Private/public), several will require additional funding due to their overall complexity and cost. The use of SRTS funding is requested to address these gaps/missing links within two-miles of the Learning Community Campus. These plans are available on the s website under Documents: Map of existing leisure trail gaps/missing links (Highlighted in brown). Learning Community Campus Highlighted within red dashed circle. Page 10 of 62

11 Safety Town: The Safety Town program is a safety awareness program held each summer by the Village of Police Department for children who will be entering kindergarten or first grade in the fall. Each day, the program explores a different safety topic, including stranger awareness, water safety, fire safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, animal safety, and school bus safety (All Safety Town instructors are state-certified Elementary School teachers). The Safety Town Program was launched with the support of Key Bank and the Community Foundation. In 2008, 316 children graduated and in total 1,308 children have graduated since the program began in In December, 2006, the Chamber of Commerce recognized Safety Town as its Community Program of the Year. Safety Town pedestrian and bicycle safety activities. Walk a Child to School Day: The was awarded a $1,000 grant by ODOT to facilitate participating in the October, 2009 International Walk a Child to School Day, and intends to work with Mary Chace of Action for Healthy Kids TM to plan what activities would be most appropriate for a first-year event. Page 11 of 62

12 SECTION 4: DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOLS The 200-acre Learning Community Campus is geographically central to the and within walking distance of the historic Village Center. In addition to the schools, the campus also includes several civic gathering areas such as the Performing Arts Center (A), Plain Township Aquatic Center (B), Swickard Woods (C), numerous athletic fields (D), and several large wetland/woodland preserve areas (E), as well as a future community recreation center (F). Although these areas are centrally located and within walking distance of one another they are bordered by four arterial roadways ( Condit Road to the East, Fodor Road to the West, Dublin-Granville Road to the South, and State Route 161 to the North) that must be crossed in order to access the campus which greatly concerns the Village Administration, as well as the -Plain Local Schools. 1 F B C E D E 2 3 A A Performing Arts Center B Plain Township Aquatic Center C Swickard Woods D Athletic fields E Wetland/woodland preserve areas F Community Recreation Center (Future) LEGEND 1 Elementary School (Grades K 1) 2 Elementary School (Grades 2 5) 3 Middle School (Grades 6 8) The was awarded funding for the development of a STP for the Learning Community Campus which includes two Elementary School buildings (Grades 2 3 and 4 5), as well as the Middle School (Grades 6 8). Page 12 of 62

13 The Jewish Day School (Located within the Learning Community Campus at the time the applied for SRTS funding, however they recently relocated a half mile to the East on Dublin-Granville Road) was removed at the request of ODOT. SCHOOL ENROLLMENT (FEBRUARY 17, 2007) GRADES SERVED HOURS* Elementary :45 AM 3:40 PM Elementary :45 AM 3:30 PM Middle :15 AM 2:40 PM * Hours include bus drop-off (15 minutes) and pick-up (10 minutes) windows PLAIN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES LEGEND Areas presently incorporated into Plain-Local School District Parts of Plain Township designated for annexation into the Parts of Plain Township designated for annexation into the City of Columbus Areas served by other school districts The following are the addresses for the -Plain Local Elementary and Middle Schools: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 87 North High Street, Ohio, MIDDLE SCHOOL 6600 Dublin-Granville Road, Ohio, Page 13 of 62

14 SECTION 5: SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL(S) ETHNICITY NEW-ALBANY PLAIN LOCAL STATE AVERAGE Caucasian % 76% African American % 16.4% Hispanic % 2.6% Asian/Pacific Islander % 1.5% American Indian/Alaskan Native 4 <1.0% 0.1% Other % 3.2% STUDENT SUBGROUP NEW-ALBANY PLAIN LOCAL STATE AVERAGE Disabled Included within Special Education Gifted % 16.1% Special Education % 8.5% Economically Disadvantaged % 37.7% Limited English Proficiency % 1.8% MIDDLE SCHOOL ETHNICITY NEW-ALBANY PLAIN LOCAL STATE AVERAGE Caucasian % 76% African American % 16.4% Hispanic % 2.6% Asian/Pacific Islander % 1.5% American Indian/Alaskan Native 0 0% 0.1% Other % 3.2% STUDENT SUBGROUP NEW-ALBANY PLAIN LOCAL STATE AVERAGE Disabled Included within Special Education Gifted % 16.1% Special Education % 8.5% Economically Disadvantaged % 37.7% Limited English Proficiency % 1.8% Page 14 of 62

15 The -Plain Local School District earned the state s highest rating of Excellent with Distinction on the Ohio Local Report Cards which were released on August 26. This is the seventh consecutive year that the district has earned this rating. Page 15 of 62

16 SECTION 6: CURRENT SCHOOL TRAVEL ENVIRONMENT As part of the required Evaluation phase of ODOT s SRTS program guidelines, the recommended Parent Survey Questionnaire was sent home with each student in grades 2 8. The number of students at each school, and the number of Parent Surveys returned was as follows: SCHOOL Grades: 2 3 (748) Grades: 4 5 (645) NUMBER OF STUDENTS Elementary School RETURNED SURVEYS PERCENTAGE % Middle School Grades: % TOTAL 2,976 1,056 35% Among other things the Parent Survey Questionnaire asked why the student were not walking or bicycling to school, and what reasons or what concerns the parents had regarding this. These Questionnaires also included a space for comments. Among the questionnaires received 40 comments were received from grades 2 3 and 4 5 parents, and 30 comments from grades 6 8 parents. Some of the comments were as follows: PARENT SURVEY COMMENTS: GRADES 2 3 & 4 5 We need sidewalk all around town Need sidewalks and more lighting We need a sidewalk on Harlem Road We need safe routes Traffic on Johnston Road is too fast for adjacent footpath We need a better crosswalk at 605 and guards - Cars Speed!!! Need traffic lights and crossing guards and bike paths Need an updated crosswalk at Windsor and 605! Traffic lights at Johnstown and Central College Road needed Need a safe way to cross Dublin Granville Rd from Hampstead Village Need crosswalks near school route to have warning/flashing lights PARENT SURVEY COMMENTS: GRADES 6 8 My child would like to walk to Market Square Need sidewalks and bike paths Please add traffic lights to the Johnstown and Central College Road intersection is much needed We need sidewalks and bike routes leading towards school Paths need to completed on Thompson Road Need sidewalks along all of Dublin Granville Road Need sidewalks near Kroger We need safe routes We need a better crosswalk We need sidewalk all around town Need sidewalks and more lighting Add flashing lights at crosswalks warning motorists Need a safer way to cross Rte 161 Need crosswalks near school route to have warning/flashing lights Need traffic lights and crossing guards and bike paths Page 16 of 62

17 The parent comments received are being categorized according to which one of the E s, Engineering, Education, Enforcement, or Encouragement (or combination of E s) they pertain to, and will be presented to the next meeting of the School Travel Team. In Class Surveys: The -Plain Local schools conducted student in-class travel tallies per the National Center for Safe Routes to School guidelines the week of December 8, Teachers (Grades 2 8) asked their students how they arrived to school, as well as how they planned on leaving school (Bus, car, bicycle, walked, etc.) each day, for three days. The tallies were then mailed to the National Center for Safe Routes to School for processing. Arrival/Dismissal Procedures: One of the ultimate goals of the and the New Albany-Plain Local School Districts SRTS team is to find ways to encourage facility, staff, and students to walk/bike to the Learning Campus. Currently all students within the -Plain Local School District are eligible to be bused to school (Refer to -Plain Local School District Student Population by Subdivision map on page 61). Both the elementary and the Middle School have a separate pick-up/drop-off area for school buses/parents which are fully utilized during the daily arrival/dismissal times. A description of both pick-up/drop-off areas is as follows: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arrivals Students proceed from their respective school bus or parent drop-off area to their classrooms on their own, however faculty/staff are strategically placed throughout the campus for general supervision. Departures Students are led out of their building and to the school bus pick-up area by their classroom teacher where they proceed to their assigned bus. The parent pick-up area is essentially the same in that the students are released to the drop-off area where there are other faculty/staff members providing traffic control and general supervision. MIDDLE SCHOOL Arrivals Students proceed from their respective school bus/parent drop-off area to their classrooms on their own, however faculty/staff are strategically placed throughout these areas for general supervision. Departures Students are released from their classrooms, and responsible for finding their own school bus/parent pick-up, or alternative way (Bicycle, walk, etc.) home. Location and Times of Crossing Guard: The -Plain Local School District currently does not have an active crossing guard program due to the fact 100% of the students are eligible to be bused. Location of Bicycle Parking Areas: In total there are currently 56 bicycle parking spaces available between the -Plain Local elementary and Middle School (Refer to -Plain Local Schools Elementary & Middle School Bicycle Parking map on page 62). All parking is fully accessible by an extensive network of sidewalks and leisure trails. Sidewalk Maintenance Policy: The maintains the sidewalk/leisure trail on the east side of the Learning Community Campus, as well as the East/West Leisure Trail through Swickard Woods (Refer to item C on map located on page 12), while the -Plain Local School District maintains all of the sidewalks and leisure trails on-campus, as well as the leisure trails on the South and West sides of the Learning Campus. Page 17 of 62

18 Speed Limit Flashers and Hours of Operation: The Learning Community Campus is surrounded by three arterial roadways ( Condit Road on the East, Fodor Road on the West, and Dublin- Granville Road on the South) which must be crossed in order to access the campus. Several pole mounted School Speed Limit Assembly signs (S5-H5) which display the 20 mile per hour speed limit have been installed per the Ohio Manuel of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (OMUTCD) within the limits of the school zones on each roadway. In addition to this signage School Speed Limit Assemblies for Northbound and Southbound Fodor Road (Entrance to the High School), Eastbound and Westbound Dublin-Granville Road (Entrance to the Middle School), and Northbound and Southbound Condit Road (Entrance to the Elementary School) have also been installed. These units are controlled by time based coordinators and are activated according to the following schedules: Fodor & Dublin-Granville Road Time Status Days of the Week 7:15 AM ON Monday Tuesday Off Thursday Friday 7:40 AM OFF Monday Tuesday Off Thursday Friday 8:25 AM ON Off Off Wednesday Off Off 8:50 AM OFF Off Off Wednesday Off Off 2:20 PM ON Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 3:00 PM OFF Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Condit Road Time Status Days of the Week 8:40 AM ON Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9:15 AM OFF Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 3:20 PM ON Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 3:55 PM OFF Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday The School Speed Limit Assemblies are programmed yearly not to operate on weekdays when school is not in session. For illustrative purposes the Exception Schedule for the 2009/2010 school year is as follows: Exception List Start End September 4, 2009 September 4, 2009 September 7, 2009 September 7, 2009 September 28, 2009 September 28, 2009 October 16, 2009 October 16, 2009 November 25, 2009 November 27, 2009 December 21, 2009 January 1, 2010 January 18, 2010 January 18, 2010 February 15, 2010 February 16, 2010 March 29, 2010 April 2, 2010 May 31, 201 May 31, 2010 June 11, 2010 August 30, 2010 Page 18 of 62

19 SECTION 7: BARRIERS TO ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION As mentioned the 200-acre Learning Community Campus is geographically central to the New Albany and within walking distance of the historic Village Center. In turn the campus is bordered by four arterial roadways ( Condit Road to the East, Fodor Road to the West, Dublin-Granville Road to the South, and State Route 161 to the North) that must be crossed in order to access the campus. As a result these roadways are barriers to active transportation to and from the campus in many locations. In March of 2010 representatives from the and the -Plain Local School District, as well as ODOT and Stantec Consulting Services. Inc. (Engineer assigned to the Village of and -Plain Local Schools by ODOT) met to discuss potential barriers surrounding the school campus. The group discussed the communities concern as it relates to walking/bicycling to and from the campus, reviewed several planning documents, and observed student drop-off operations, as well as existing impairments within a 2 mile radius of the school campus. Based on this meeting Stantec Consulting, Inc. summarized the barriers to walking/biking to the school campus and provided solutions and countermeasures to improve these barriers in a document titled Safe Routes to School Engineering Study, -Plain Local School District. This document was then presented to the and -Plain Local Schools STP team on June 3 rd and 23 rd, The barriers to active transportation identified in this document are listed below in broad categories reflecting their geographic locations relative to the school campus (For further details please refer to Page 29): Physical Barriers West of School Campus Uninterrupted traffic flows Wide intersections Lack thereof, or condition of existing pavement markings Lack thereof, or condition of existing signage Excessively long school zone Missing segments/routes, or segments/routes which are extremely long, or meandering and not easily identifiable Physical Barriers East of School Campus Excessive vehicular speeds Lack thereof, or condition of existing pavement markings Lack thereof, or condition of existing signage Missing segments/routes Physical Barriers North of School Campus Excessive vehicular speeds Missing segments/routes, or segments/routes which are extremely long, or meandering and not easily identifiable Physical Barriers South of School Campus Uninterrupted traffic flows Lack thereof, or condition of existing pavement markings Lack thereof, or condition of existing signage Missing segments/routes, or segments/routes which are not easily identifiable Page 19 of 62

20 SECTION 8: CREATING SOLUTIONS AND COUNTERMEASURES A series of solutions and countermeasures based on the barriers to active transportation were also identified by Stantec Consulting, Inc. in the Safe Routes to School Engineering Study, - Plain Local School District document (Refer to page 41). These solutions and countermeasures were then summarized in a survey which was distributed to by the and - Plain Local Schools STP team on June 16, A final set of solutions was then established based on this feedback and categorized in the following manor: Short-term: Solution should be implemented within 0-12 months Mid-term: Solution should be implemented within 1-3 years Long-term: Solution should be implemented within 3-10 years Based on the following levels of importance: Extremely important Moderately important Neutral Low importance Not at all important The surveys were then summarized in the following table (A detailed description of each of these recommendations can be found on page 24): Short-term (0-12 months) Recommendation Votes Votes (%) Importance Score Install six (6) variable message SPEED LIMIT signs at the following locations: Fodor Road (One northbound north of Dublin- Granville Road, and one southbound south of Swickard Woods Boulevard) Dublin-Granville Road (One eastbound east of Fodor Road, and one westbound west of Main Street) Condit Road (One northbound south of the exit drive to the 2-5 Middle School, auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, and administrative building, and one southbound south of Chatham Green Drive) Enhance the visibility of the existing crosswalk on New Albany Conduit Road at Chatham Green Drive Inventory and upgrade school traffic control devices to current Ohio MUTCD and/or Federal MUTCD guidelines or best practices Install a crosswalk on East Dublin-Granville Road at Meadway Drive (ADA compliant curb ramp and sidewalk/leisure trail would need to be installed in conjunction with this work at several locations) 11 69% Extremely important 5 31% Moderately important 0 0% Neutral 0 0% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 7 44% Extremely important 7 44% Moderately important 1 6% Neutral 1 6% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 8 50% Extremely important 5 31% Moderately important 1 6% Neutral 2 13% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 6 33% Extremely important 9 50% Moderately important 1 6% Neutral 2 11% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important Page 20 of 62

21 Short-term Continued (0-12 months) Recommendation Votes Votes (%) Importance Score Restripe crosswalks within the school zone along New Albany Condit Road with ladder style pavement markings Construct a leisure trail on the south side of Dublin- Granville Road between Market Street and Morgan Road Shorten the length of the existing school zone on Fodor Road (Separate the K-1 Elementary School zone from the High School zone) Construct a section of sidewalk/leisure trail along the north side of the entry drive of the school campus off Conduit Road Enhance the visibility of the existing crosswalk on Harlem Road at Addenbrook Boulevard Shorten the length of the existing school zone on East Dublin-Granville Road Dublin-Granville Road (Relocate east of Fodor Road) Replace existing pedestrian traffic signal indicators at Fodor Road and Market Street, as well as Dublin-Granville Road and Main Street 4 25% Extremely important 9 56% Moderately important 2 13% Neutral 1 6% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 7 44% Extremely important 4 25% Moderately important 2 13% Neutral 2 13% Low importance 1 6% Not at all important 5 28% Extremely important 8 44% Moderately important 2 11% Neutral 3 17% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 6 38% Extremely important 5 31% Moderately important 2 13% Neutral 2 13% Low importance 1 6% Not at all important 3 18% Extremely important 7 41% Moderately important 5 29% Neutral 2 12% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 4 24% Extremely important 7 41% Moderately important 3 18% Neutral 1 6% Low importance 2 12% Not at all important 4 25% Extremely important 5 31% Moderately important 4 25% Neutral 2 13% Low importance 1 6% Not at all important Page 21 of 62

22 Mid-term (1-3 year) Recommendation Votes Votes (%) Importance Score Add a pedestrian crosswalk on East Dublin-Granville Road west of the exit drive to the auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, Administrative Building, and 2-5 Middle School to the existing south side leisure trail/pedestrian bridge on the west side of East Dublin-Granville Road Coordinate future construction of a roundabout at New Albany Road/Fodor Road with the City of Columbus (Sidewalk/leisure trail section should be incorporated on the south side of Fodor Road through the project limits) Replace the existing pavement markings with a right-turn only channelizing island curb extension at the Exit drive to the 6-8 Middle School and High School on Dublin- Granville Road Construct a missing section of leisure trail on the west side of Condit Road between Chatham Green Drive and Kardulas Drive Construct missing sections of leisure trail on the north side of East Dublin-Granville Road between Market Street and Meadway Drive Re-construct all vehicular ingress/egress points (Continuous raised crossing that is properly signed and marked) to the Learning Community Campus Constructing a section of sidewalk/leisure trail between Morgan Road and Fodor Road along the north side of the Church of the Resurrection property Install a crosswalk on Harlem Road at Bishops Wood Road 11 65% Extremely important 5 29% Moderately important 0 0% Neutral 1 6% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 6 38% Extremely important 8 50% Moderately important 2 13% Neutral 0 0% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 5 29% Extremely important 9 53% Moderately important 3 18% Neutral 0 0% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 6 35% Extremely important 7 41% Moderately important 3 18% Neutral 1 6% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 4 25% Extremely important 8 50% Moderately important 2 13% Neutral 2 13% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 4 25% Extremely important 8 50% Moderately important 1 6% Neutral 3 19% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 4 25% Extremely important 7 44% Moderately important 3 19% Neutral 2 13% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 2 12% Extremely important 4 24% Moderately important 7 41% Neutral 4 24% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important Page 22 of 62

23 Recommendation Construct a leisure trail along both the north and south sides of East Dublin-Granville Road west from Meadway Drive and Pickett Place to Greensward Road Install an additional bicycle parking stands on the Learning Community Campus (Middle/Elementary School) if future bicycle parking exceeds current capacity Coordinate future construction of a roundabout at Harlem/Greensward Road with the Franklin County Engineers Office (Sidewalk/leisure trail connections should be incorporated into the project) Install crosswalks and curb extensions at various locations along Fodor Road Construct a leisure trail on the east side of Harlem Road between Dublin-Granville Road and Addenbrook Boulevard (Falls within the City of Columbus corporation limits) Long-term (3-10 years) Votes % of Votes Importance 7 47% Extremely important 7 47% Moderately important 1 7% Neutral 0 0% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 5 33% Extremely important 8 53% Moderately important 1 7% Neutral 1 7% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 5 31% Extremely important 6 38% Moderately important 5 31% Neutral 0 0% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 3 20% Extremely important 7 47% Moderately important 4 27% Neutral 1 7% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important 2 13% Extremely important 5 33% Moderately important 5 33% Neutral 3 20% Low importance 0 0% Not at all important Score Page 23 of 62

24 Install two (2) variable message SPEED LIMIT signs at each of the following locations: Fodor Road (One northbound north of Dublin-Granville Road, and one southbound south of Swickard Woods Boulevard) Dublin-Granville Road (One eastbound east of Fodor Road, and one westbound west of New Albany Condit Road) Condit Road (One northbound south of the exit drive to the 2-5 Middle School, auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, and administrative building, and one southbound south of Chatham Green Drive) Note: Signs will be interconnected with the High School 20 MPH school zone flashers. Presently, the school zone has no regulatory SPEED LIMIT signs other than when the school zone flashers are operational. On several occasions the Police Department has mentioned that the lack of SPEED LIMIT signing within the school zone has limited their ability to enforce vehicular speeds during days/times when the school zone flashers were not operational. $31, Each Set Upgrade traffic control signing and markings for an enhanced crosswalk at the following locations (Cost includes overhead beacons, signal push buttons, pedestrian signal heads, etc.): Dublin-Granville Road west of the exit drive to the auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, Administrative Building, and 2-5 Middle School Condit Road at Chatham Green Drive NOTE: The intends to publicly bid and construct both of these projects in In turn to improve the overall safety/visibility of the crosswalk MUTCD approved in-pavement crosswalk flashers will be included as an alternate (Approval will be based on the overall construction cost). $50, Each Inventory and upgrade school traffic control devices to current Ohio MUTCD and/or Federal MUTCD guidelines, or recommended best practices. The existing school signage is nearing the end of its warranted life, and should be replaced with signage that meets, or exceeds these standards (Brightness, reflectivity, etc.). $7, Lump Sum Page 24 of 62

25 Install enhanced marked crosswalks at the following locations (ADA compliant curb ramp and sidewalk/leisure trail would need to be installed in conjunction with this work at several locations at a cost of $3,000.00*): East Dublin-Granville Road at Harlem Road* East Dublin-Granville Road at Meadway Drive* Market Street at the Village Center (2) Keswick Commons at Ogden Woods Boulevard Condit Road* (Exit drive to the auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, administrative building, and 2-5 Middle School) Harlem Road at Addenbrook Boulevard* (Falls within the City of Columbus corporation limits) Harlem Road at Bishops Woods Road* (Falls within the City of Columbus corporation limits) $ $5, Each Restripe crosswalks within the school zone along Condit Road with ladder style pavement markings. $ Each Construct a leisure trail (To be constructed on graded berm built as part of the Rose Run Stream Restoration project) on the south side of Dublin-Granville Road between Market Street and Morgan Road. $67, Lump Sum Shorten the length of the existing school zone at the following locations: Fodor Road (Separate the K-1 Elementary School zone from the High School zone) Dublin-Granville Road (Relocate east of Fodor Road) Each school zone would have a set of 20 MPH school flashers, ground-mounted signs, and pavement markings that comply with current Ohio MUTCD and/or Federal MUTCD guidelines. $10, Each Construct a section of sidewalk/leisure trail along the north side of the entry drive of the school campus off Conduit Road. $5, Lump Sum Replace existing pedestrian traffic signal indicators at Fodor Road and Market Street, as well as Dublin- Granville Road and Main Street. $1, Each Page 25 of 62

26 Coordinate future construction of a roundabout at Road/Fodor Road with the City of Columbus (Sidewalk/leisure trail section should be incorporated on the south side of Fodor Road through the project limits). $0.00 Re-design and re-construct a raised leisure trail crossing with pavement markings and signing at the following locations: Entry drive of the school campus (South Condit Road) Entry drive of the 2-5 Middle School and auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School (South Condit Road) Exit drive of the 2-5 Middle School, auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, and entry to administrative building (South Condit Road) Entry drive to the auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, administrative building, and 2-5 Middle School (Dublin-Granville Road) Exit drive to the auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, administrative building, and 2-5 Middle School (Dublin-Granville Road) Entry drive to the 6-8 Middle School and High School (Dublin-Granville Road) Exit drive to the 6-8 Middle School and High School (Dublin-Granville Road). A right-turn only channelizing island is also recommended at this location (Additional cost = $3,000.00) Entry drive to the High School (Fodor Road) Exit drive to High School (Fodor Road) Exit drive to High School football stadium and athletic fields (Fodor Road) $10, Each Construct 620 feet of leisure trail on the west side of Condit Road between Chatham Green Drive and Kardulas Drive. $37, Lump Sum Construct 1,350 feet of leisure trail on the north side of Dublin-Granville Road between Market Street and Meadway Drive. $81, Lump Sum Construct a leisure trail between Morgan Road and Fodor Road on the south side of the existing nature preserve (This leisure path would be located on the Church of the Resurrection s property and therefore would require an easement). $50, Lump Sum Construct 4,050 feet of leisure trail along the north and south sides of East Dublin-Granville Road west of Meadway Drive to the proposed Harlem Road/Greensward Road intersection. $524, Lump Sum Page 26 of 62

27 Install an additional bicycle parking stands on the Learning Community Campus (Middle/Elementary School) if future bicycle parking exceeds current capacity. $ Per Set Coordinate future construction of a roundabout at Harlem/Greensward Road with the Franklin County Engineers Office (Sidewalk/leisure trail connections should be incorporated into the project). $0.00 Install crosswalks and curb extensions at various locations along Fodor Road (Falls within the City of Columbus corporation limits*): Heath Gate Drive* Abbotsbury Court Sugar Run Drive* Claridge Drive* Settlement Drive* $35,000 Each Construct a leisure trail on the east side of Harlem Road between Dublin-Granville Road and Addenbrook Boulevard (Falls within the City of Columbus corporation limits). $22, Lump Sum Page 27 of 62

28 Evaluate/Implement various programs/activities that will encourage students to walk/bike to and from the Learning Community Campus, as well as encourage pedestrian/bicycle safety such as: International Walk/Bike to School Day - Continued participation Walking School Bus Campaign - Encourage students to bicycle to school together with adult supervision Stop + Walk Campaign Encourage parents who drive their children to school to drop them off/pick them up a few blocks away from the learning campus Development of Walking Club - Students can walk alone, or in groups during recess Conduct Student/Parent Surveys Distribute a survey each year (Fall/Spring) to measure the overall success of the and -Plain Local Schools Safe Routes to School program. $ $2, Lump Sum Evaluate the need for crossing guards at key locations surrounding the Learning Community Campus. $ Lump Sum Collaborate with the Walking Club regarding possible programs/activities that will encourage students to walk/bike to and from the Learning Community Campus. $ Lump Sum Monitor traffic speed data collected by the six (6) variable message SPEED LIMIT signs and schedule appropriate driver education/enforcement as needed. $1, Lump Sum Continue to conduct summer safety awareness classes for kindergartners and first graders at the Learning Community Campus s Safety Town location. $5, $10, Lump Sum Investigate whether a summer Bicycle Awareness class for older students should/could be held at the Learning Community Campus s Safety Town location. $1, $5, Lump Sum Monitor police enforcement/citations within the school zones. $ Lump Sum Continue to monitor traffic crash data in the school zones. $ Lump Sum Page 28 of 62

29 SECTION 9: IMPROVEMENTS MAPPING An improvement map was completed by Stantec Consulting, Inc. and is included in the Safe Routes to School Engineering Study, -Plain Local School District document (Refer to page 41). Map of recommended improvements. Map of walking routes. Page 29 of 62

30 SECTION 10: THE ACTION PLAN The following action plan has been established based on the Safe Routes to School Engineering Study, -Plain Local School District document prepared by Stantec Consulting, Inc., as well as feedback received from the and -Plain Local Schools SRTS team (Refer to survey on pages 20-23): STRATEGY: Engineering (Short-term) Strategy Timeframe Responsible Party Status Estimated Cost Funding Sources Percentage of Students Affected Install six (6) variable message SPEED LIMIT signs around the learning community campus 0-12 Months Medium Cost 100% Enhance the visibility of the existing crosswalk on Conduit Road at Chatham Green Drive 0-12 Months To be Constructed In 2010/11 Medium Cost 50% Inventory and upgrade school traffic control devices to current Ohio MUTCD and/or Federal MUTCD guidelines, or best practices 0-12 Months Low Cost 100% Install a crosswalk on East Dublin-Granville Road at Meadway Drive 0-12 Months Low Cost 25% Restripe crosswalks within the school zone along Condit Road 0-12 Months Low Cost 25% Construct a leisure trail on the south side of Dublin-Granville Road between Market Street and Morgan Road 0-12 Months Medium Cost 50% Shorten the length of the existing school zone on Fodor Road (Separate the K-1 Elementary School zone from the High School zone) 0-12 Months Medium Cost 100% Page 30 of 62

31 STRATEGY: Engineering (Short-term continued) Construct a section of sidewalk/leisure trail along the north side of the entry drive of the school campus off New Albany Conduit Road 0-12 Months -Plain Local Schools, Low Cost - Plain Local Schools, 50% Enhance the visibility of the existing crosswalk on Harlem Road at Addenbrook Boulevard 0-12 Months Low Cost 25% Replace existing pedestrian traffic signal indicators at Fodor Road and Market Street intersection 0-12 Months Low Cost 100% Page 31 of 62

32 STRATEGY: Engineering (Mid-term) Strategy Timeframe Responsible Party Status Estimated Cost Funding Sources Percentage of Students Affected Add a pedestrian crosswalk on East Dublin- Granville Road west of the exit drive to the auxiliary (4 th grade) Elementary School, Administrative Building, and 2-5 Middle School to the existing south side leisure trail/pedestrian bridge on the west side of East Dublin-Granville Road 1-3 Years To be Constructed In 2010/11 Medium Cost 100% Coordinate future construction of a roundabout at Road/Fodor Road with the City of Columbus (Sidewalk/leisure trail section should be incorporated on the south side of Fodor Road through the project limits) 1-3 Years City of Columbus To be Constructed In 2010/11 Low Cost City of Columbus 50% Replace the existing pavement markings with a right-turn only channelizing island curb extension at the Exit drive to the 6-8 Middle School on Dublin-Granville Road 1-3 Years -Plain Local Schools, Low Cost - Plain Local Schools, 75% Construct a missing section of leisure trail on the west side of New Albany Condit Road between Chatham Green Drive and Kardulas Drive 1-3 Years Low Cost 50% Construct missing sections of leisure trail on the north side of East Dublin-Granville Road between Market Street and Meadway Drive 1-3 Years Private Development, Medium Cost Private Development, 25% Re-construct all vehicular ingress/egress points (Continuous raised crossing that is properly signed and marked) to the Learning Community Campus 1-3 Years -Plain Local Schools, Medium Cost - Plain Local Schools, 100% Page 32 of 62

33 STRATEGY: Engineering (Mid-term continued) Constructing a section of sidewalk/leisure trail between Morgan Road and Fodor Road along the north side of the Church of the Resurrection property 1-3 Years Church of the Resurrection, -Plain Local Schools, Medium Cost Church of the Resurrection, - Plain Local Schools, 25% Install a crosswalk on Harlem Road at Bishops Wood Road 1-3 Years City of Columbus, New Albany Low Cost City of Columbus, 25% Page 33 of 62

34 STRATEGY: Engineering (Long-term) Strategy Details Timeframe Responsible Party Status Estimated Cost Funding Sources Percentage of Students Affected Construct a leisure path along both the north and south sides of East Dublin-Granville Road west from Meadway Drive and Pickett Place to Greensward Road 3-10 Years Hi Cost 50% Install an additional bicycle parking stands on the Learning Community Campus (Middle/Elementary School) if future bicycle parking exceeds current capacity 3-10 Years -Plain Local Schools Medium Cost - Plain Local Schools 100% Coordinate future construction of a roundabout at Harlem/Greensward Road with the Franklin County Engineers Office (Sidewalk/leisure trail connections should be incorporated into the project) 3-10 Years Franklin County Engineer (FCE), Low Cost Franklin County Engineer (FCE), 25% Install crosswalks and curb extensions at various locations along Fodor Road 3-10 Years Hi Cost 75% Construct a leisure trail on the east side of Harlem Road between Dublin-Granville Road and Addenbrook Boulevard (Falls within the City of Columbus corporation limits) 3-10 Years Private Development, City of Columbus, Medium Cost Private Development, City of Columbus, 25% Install a crosswalk on East Dublin-Granville Road at Harlem Road 3-10 Years Low Cost 25% Enhance existing crosswalks on Market Street at Market Square 3-10 Years Low Cost 50% Enhance existing crosswalk on Keswick Commons at Ogden Woods Boulevard 3-10 Years Low Cost 50% Page 34 of 62

35 STRATEGY: Education Strategy Details Timeframe Responsible Party Status Estimated Cost Funding Sources Percentage of Students Affected Evaluate/Implement various programs that will encourage students to walk/bike to and from the Learning Community Campus, as well as encourage pedestrian/bicycle safety 1-3 Years -Plain Local Schools Low Cost - Plain Local Schools 100% Investigate whether a summer Bicycle Awareness class for older children should/could be held at the Learning Community Campus s Safety Town location 1-3 Years New Albany, -Plain Local Schools Low Cost New Albany, - Plain Local Schools 83% Page 35 of 62

36 STRATEGY: Enforcement Strategy Details Timeframe Responsible Party Status Estimated Cost Funding Sources Percentage of Students Affected Evaluate the need for crossing guards at key locations surrounding the Learning Community Campus 1-3 Years New Albany, -Plain Local Schools Low Cost New Albany, - Plain Local Schools 100% Monitor traffic speed data collected by the six (6) variable message SPEED LIMIT signs and schedule appropriate driver education/enforcement as needed 3-10 Years New Albany Low Cost New Albany 100% Page 36 of 62

37 STRATEGY: Encouragement Strategy Details Timeframe Responsible Party Status Estimated Cost Funding Sources Percentage of Students Affected Work with the New Albany Police School Resource Officer in Evaluating/Implementing various programs that will encourage students to walk/bike to and from the Learning Community Campus, as well as encourage pedestrian/bicycle safety 1-3 Years New Albany, -Plain Local Schools Low Cost New Albany, - Plain Local Schools 100% Continue to participate in the annual International Walk/Bike to School Day Ongoing New Albany, -Plain Local Schools Ongoing Low Cost New Albany, - Plain Local Schools, - Plain Local Schools PTO 16% Determine ability (Based on current staffing) to include New Albany-Plain Local School Districts Middle School in the annual International Walk/Bike to School Day event 1-3 Years New Albany Low Cost New Albany 33% Page 37 of 62

38 STRATEGY: Encouragement Strategy Details Timeframe Responsible Party Status Estimated Cost Funding Sources Percentage of Students Affected Collaborate with the Walking Club regarding possible programs/activities that will encourage students to walk/bike to and from the Learning Community Campus 1-3 Years -Plain Local Schools Low Cost - Plain Local Schools 75% Page 38 of 62

39 STRATEGY: Evaluation Strategy Details Timeframe Responsible Party Status Estimated Cost Funding Sources Percentage of Students Affected Distribute Student/Parent Surveys each year (Fall/Spring) to measure the overall success of the and New Albany-Plain Local Schools Safe Routes to School program. 1-3 Years -Plain Local Schools Low Cost - Plain Local Schools 75% Monitor police enforcement/citations within the school zones 1-3 Years New Albany, -Plain Local Schools Low Cost New Albany, - Plain Local Schools 100% Continue to monitor traffic crash data in the school zones 1-3 Years New Albany, -Plain Local Schools Low Cost New Albany, - Plain Local Schools 100% Page 39 of 62

40 SECTION 11: PLAN ENDORSEMENTS With the movement toward a walkable/bickable community, there is an ever increasing desire for more effective treatments to improve pedestrian safety around the Learning Campus Community. The Learning Community Campus and adjacent nature preserve provide an exceptional educational opportunity for Village residents/employees throughout the year, however as noted in these guidelines there are currently several barriers to active transportation surrounding the campus. These barriers have been a long standing concern of the current Village administration, the -Plain Local School District, and local residents. Through this collaboration with the and the -Plain Local Schools STP team we hope to eliminate these barriers and encourage children to safely walk/bicycle to school. In turn we hope to implement/enforce these goals through the Engineering, Education, Enforcement, or Encouragement strategies outlined in Section 10 (The Action Plan) of this document. In turn I support the findings and improvement suggestions identified in the and the -Plain Local School Districts SRTS STP and will support efforts to implement these strategies. Joseph Stefanov Village Administrator Page 40 of 62

41 Page 41 of 62

42 Page 42 of 62

43 Page 43 of 62

44 Page 44 of 62

45 Page 45 of 62

46 Page 46 of 62

47 Page 47 of 62

48 Page 48 of 62

49 Page 49 of 62

50 Page 50 of 62

51 Page 51 of 62

52 Page 52 of 62

53 Page 53 of 62

54 Page 54 of 62

55 Page 55 of 62

56 Page 56 of 62

57 Page 57 of 62

58 Page 58 of 62

59 Page 59 of 62

60 Page 60 of 62