US Hwy. 64/264 Pedestrian Crossing at the Little Bridge Alternatives Analysis Public Meeting

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1 Town of Nags Head US Hwy. 64/264 Pedestrian Crossing at the Little Bridge Alternatives Analysis Public Meeting Prepared by: Department of Public Works August 8, 2013

2 Where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at or near an intersection (NCGS a) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle. (NCGS b) NC Pedestrian Laws

3 Crosswalk: Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. (1992 Uniform Vehicle Code) Roadway: That portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. (NCGS (38)) Pedestrian Laws (Cont d)

4 PEDESTRIANS Do not assume drivers can or will stop. It is the responsibility of the pedestrian to ensure that it is safe to proceed across the roadway. Do not assume a driver has seen you. Establish eye contact with the driver before entering a crosswalk. Watch all lanes you must cross. Even though one vehicle has stopped, vehicles may pass in another lane or in an opposite direction. Cross the street within the marked lines of the crosswalk. Your full attention should be directed to oncoming traffic. DRIVERS BE ALERT! Use good judgment. Be aware of your surroundings. Pedestrian Safety A Shared Responsibility Striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk is extremely difficult to defend & can lead to severe liability consequences. Be attentive when traveling through crosswalks. Be prepared to stop. Do not overtake and pass other vehicles stopped for pedestrians on your side of the roadway. Be aware that some pedestrians may challenge you to stop since they have the right-of-way in the crosswalk. Failure to yield to a pedestrian within a marked crosswalk is a violation of state law.

5 (1) In-street Pedestrian Crossing sign is allowed per crosswalk location; The sign should be placed at the roadway centerline adjacent to the crosswalk, not in the crosswalk ; If a center island is provided, the sign should be placed on the island; The sign should look like this For signs placed in the roadway, the sign support shall comply with the breakaway requirements of the latest edition of AASHTO s Specification for Structural Supports for Highways Signs, Luminaries, and Traffic Signals. The sign may be used seasonably to prevent damage, and may be removed at night if the pedestrian activity at night is minimal. Pedestrian Signage

6 Little Bridge Pedestrian Crossing Whalebone Junction Little Bridge Pirates Cove Washington Baum Bridge

7 475 Lone Cedar Restaurant Fin n Feather Motel 860 Little Bridge

8 Ex. Crosswalk Ex. Refuge Island AADT=17,000 Little Bridge Access Parking Lot

9 Lack of visibility of Refuge Island The vertical crest in the Little Bridge and the horizontal curve transition for the Washington Baum bridge create limited sight distance. Motorists have few visual cues to the presence of the pedestrian crossing. When pedestrians are in the crosswalk, one lane of traffic will stop while the other lane of traffic continues on. The posted speed limit is 50 mph with actual speeds averaging between mph. Minimal visibility at night. Uncertainty of motorists when to yield for pedestrians. The Predicament

10 1. Rated from safest solution to least effective. 2. Cost for Implementation. 3. Conformance to NCDOT, AASHTO, MUTCD, & FHWA Standards and regulations. 4. Ease of Implementation. 5. Existing Condition Review Evaluation Criteria

11 Benefits Provides for complete separation of pedestrians from vehicles Traffic Flow Improvements Barriers Cost range $500k to $2M Overpass Siting- offset 75 west of current location Pedestrians may take more direct route Underpass-inadequate vertical clearance Conflicts w/ex. utilities ADA Accessibility #1 Overpass/Underpass Photos courtesy of GatorBridge.

12 Benefits Removal of Pedestrian/Vehicle conflicts Economical to implement Barriers Removal of a longstanding recreational access where there is a will there is a way #2 Eliminate Access to North Side of Bridge

13 Benefits Improved crossing facilities Reduce pedestrian/ vehicle conflicts Barriers Estimated Cost: $100,000 Inadequate pedestrian crossings to satisfy MUTCD warrant Siting: offset 140 west of current crosswalk Pedestrians may bypass to take more direct route #3 Traffic Signal Installation

14 Benefits Provides additional visual cues for motorists Moderately Effective to implement: $15K-$20k Barriers Estimated to be between 25%-40% effective Are visual cues adequate at the existing vehicle speeds May require other treatments such as yield bars #4 Pedestrian Warning Signal Installation

15 Benefits Decreases stopping sight distance for motorists Cost Effective to implement Can reduce severity of pedestrian crashes Barriers Effectiveness: studies have NOT concluded that speed limit is not significantly related to crash frequency Decreased level of service - traffic flow #5 Reduce Speed Limit

16 #6 Pavement Markings/Crosswalk Enhancements Benefits Differentiate from Visual Clutter Cost Effective to implement: $3k to $20k Alert motorists to hazards ahead Barriers Some treatments are not suitable for higher speeds of traffic May create an additional hazard May have to be paired with other measures

17 Benefits Increases Pedestrian Awareness & Behavior Provide information to motorists of changing conditions Ease of Implementation Barriers Can require a long-term commitment for effectiveness Keep it interesting for public #7 Pedestrian/Driver Education

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20 Diagonal Hatch Markings Hi-Vis Delineators Added Streetlight

21 Questions? Next Steps