Walking and Bicycling Audits AUGUST 2014 Redwood City School District McKinley Institute of Technology North Star Academy C/CAG City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County
MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 2 CONTENTS McKinley Institute of Technology & North Star Academy...3 Appendix Observations...5 Potential Safe Routes to Schools Improvements...7 Recommendations Summary...8 Toolbox of Potential Improvements...9 Walking Route Map... 11
MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 3 McKinley Institute of Technology and North Star Academy Walking and Bicycling Audit School Information Safe Routes to School Survey Bell Schedule McKinley Grade 3 8 Morning Afternoon Regular Days: M, Tu, W, F Thursday Minimum Day Bell Schedule North Star 8:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Grade Morning Afternoon Regular Days M, Tu, W, F Thursday Minimum Day Redwood City School District 280 Camino del Real 8:35 a.m. 2:55 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 1:45 p.m. McKinley Institute of Technology ( McKinley ) and North Star Academy ( North Star ) are located on the same campus at 400 Duane Street in Redwood City. The schools are situated in a residential neighborhood within two blocks of El Camino Real. Sequoia High School is located adjacent to McKinley and North Star across the street on James Avenue. McKinley serves approximately 400 students from grades 6th through 8th. North Star serves about 800 students in grades 3rd through 8th. Both schools are Schools of Choice that draw their enrollment from throughout Redwood City (as opposed to neighborhood schools that draw their enrollment from an attendance boundary). McKinley and North Star share a designated drop-off and pick-up location on Duane Street in the mornings and afternoons. Diagonal parking spaces are temporarily coned off to form a curbside lane during the pick-up and drop-off times. Parents also tend to use James Avenue and Harrison Avenue for pick-up and drop-off. Both are narrow, two lane streets that primarily serve the surrounding residences. The San Mateo County Office of Education conducted parent surveys at McKinley and North Star during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years. These surveys helped to assess multiple aspects of the Safe Routes to School program, including the current mode share when students travel to and from school and parental concerns about walking or bicycling to school. Key findings are reported below: Riding in a family vehicle is the most common mode of travel for both schools. More than half (52%) of McKinley students are driven in a family vehicle, while nearly two-thirds (65%) of North Star students arrive by car (non-carpool). A large portion of McKinley students walk to school. Thirty six (36) percent of McKinley students walk to school. Around 12 percent of North Star students walk to/from school. Most North Star students travel to/from school by family car. Eighty (80) percent of North Star students arrive by family car either alone (65 percent) or in a carpool (15 percent). More than half (52 percent) of McKinley students arrive by family car and another six (6) percent arrives in a carpool. Bicycling mode share has potential for significant increase. Four (4) percent of McKinley and North Star students chose bicycling as their mode to get to and from school. Traffic considerations are the highest priority issues for parents when deciding whether to walk or bike to school. Intersection crossings, the volume of traffic, and the speed of traffic were identified by parents as the top three factors that limit their child s ability to walk or bike to school, as summarized in the parent survey. Transit 0.5% Other 1% Carpool 6% Family Car 52% Walk 36% Bike 4% Mode split for all school trips (McKinley 2012-2013, n = 350) Transit 1% Other 1% Walk 12% Carpool 15% Bike 4% School Bus 1% Family Car 65% Mode split for all school trips (North Star 2013-2014, n = 70) Source: McKinley: NCSRTS Student Travel Tally questionnaire, 2012-2013; North Star: SMCOE Redwood City Parent Survey, 2013-2014
MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 4 Parent Survey Walking and Bicycling Audit Do any of the following issues limit your child s ability to walk or bike to/from school? Unsafe intersections Speeding traffic along route Too much traffic along route Lack of bikeways 63% Too far from school 61% No crossing guards 60% Child's before or after school activities 54% Stranger danger 50% Lack of sidewalks and/or paths 50% No adults to walk or bike with 50% Violence/crime in neighborhood 28% Don't know best route to school 12% Lack of bike parking at school 10% Source: SMCOE Redwood City Parent Survey, 2013-2014. McKinley & North Star combined results. 92% 91% 91% A walking and bicycling audit was held on the morning of May 28th, 2014. The audit group included McKinley and North Star Principals, parents, and representatives from the Redwood City Police and Engineering Departments, and the Redwood City 2020 Committee. The audit was facilitated by Parisi Transportation Consulting (Parisi). Audit participants observed the morning arrival period, including travel behavior by pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transit vehicles, and noted transportation infrastructure issues at the school site and in the surrounding neighborhood. A follow-up afternoon visit was conducted by Parisi the following day. Photographs collected during both visits are presented in a later section. Infrastructure Observations DUANE STREET:,, The parking zone on the west side of Duane Street serves as the designated student loading zone. The planting strip in front of the school is unpaved and unplanted. There are physical bulb-outs on the north end of Duane Street at James Avenue, and painted bulb-outs on the south end at Harrison Avenue JAMES AVENUE: The City has constructed bulb-outs to shorten the crossing distance across James Avenue at several intersections. The City has installed pedestrian crossing and warning signs, high-visibility crosswalks, and advance yield lines. Behavioral Observations DUANE STREET:,, School staff assist in managing the pick-up / drop-off of students on Duane Street by guiding vehicle movement. Parked cars that fail to vacate the spaces reduce the capacity of the loading zone by blocking traffic. Drivers were observed making U-turns out of the southbound queue. Larger vehicles needed to make three-point turns, which further congested traffic. Motorists were observed bypassing the southbound queue by crossing into the opposing lane. JAMES AVENUE: Some motorists were observed traveling in excess of the posted 25 mph speed limit. Walk audit participants mentioned that it can be difficult to see pedestrians entering the James Avenue / Elwood Street crosswalk. Buses will sometimes drive into the opposing lane to bypass queued traffic. HARRISON AVENUE AT DUANE STREET: The City provides a crossing guard at the intersection. Drivers dropping off or picking up students were observed making illegal U-turns within the intersection to bypass downstream queues on Duane Street. Drivers were observed ignoring the crossing guard and illegally failing to observe the pedestrian right of way. JEFFERSON AVENUE AT CLEVELAND AND CLINTON STREETS: The City provides a crossing guard across Cleveland Street. Some motorists were observed failing to yield to pedestrians even with the crossing guard present. Vehicle queues at Cleveland and Clinton Streets often develop because of the difficulty turning onto Jefferson Avenue, which is due to high traffic volumes, high speed, and limited intersection visibility. The schools advise parents not to make left turns onto Jefferson Avenue. Improvement Plan Recommendations for the school and surrounding neighborhood appear in the following pages.
Appendix A: Observations MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 5 1 2 3 4 Members of the audit team included school principals, parents, and representatives from Redwood City 2020, Engineering, and Police Departments. A high portion of McKinley students walk to school (36 percent). Four percent of students bicycle to and from school. The City provides a crossing guard at the intersection at Jefferson Avenue and Cleveland Street. 5 6 7 8 A crossing guard at Duane Street and Harrison Avenue manages two crosswalks. High visibility crosswalk across James Avenue. There are instances of broken pavement and unplanted/ unpaved landscaping strips on Duane Street. Duane Street is a 56-foot wide two-lane street. 9 10 11 12 Duane Street at James Avenue has bulb-outs that shorten the pedestrian crossing distance. Bulb-outs have been painted at Duane Street and Harrison Avenue. The Duane Street creek crossing provides a five-foot wide sidewalk. The walking environment on Harrison Avenue has narrow and broken pavement, and power poles.
Appendix A: Observations, cont. MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 6 13 14 15 16 Parents using Harrison Avenue to drop-off and pick-up occasionally drive onto the sidewalk, which lacks a raised curb. Duane Street between James and Harrison Avenue is the schools designated drop-off / pick-up area. Parents are prohibited from using the parking lot for student loading. Students waiting to be picked up on Duane Street. 17 18 19 20 School staff manage the drop-off / pick-up area. Cars that fail to vacate the parking spaces worsen traffic congestion by shortening the loading area. Traffic congestion on Duane Street regularly backs onto James Avenue. A motorist driving into the opposing traffic lane to bypass the queue on Duane Street. 21 22 23 24 Duane Street is too narrow for most vehicles to make U-turns in one motion, exacerbating traffic congestion. Cleveland Street and Clinton Street often experience congestion during the school peaks. Cars blocking the crosswalk can create line-of-sight hazards for pedestrians. East-west traffic on Jefferson Avenue is uncontrolled at Clinton Street and Cleveland Street.
Appendix B: Potential Safe Routes to School Improvements MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 7 (1) James at Grand: Consider installing a speed feedback sign. Hudson St (5) Harrison west cul-de-sac: Consider installing a gate to provide access to the school. Consider constructing a multi-use path connecting Harrison across the creek. Grand St James Ave (2) James / Elwood: Consider installing a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB). Elwood st MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NORTH STAR ACADEMY (3) Duane / James: Refresh red curb within 20' of crosswalks Evaluate potential need for a crossing guard. Consider all-way-stop control. Duane St (6) Duane between James and Harrison: Install No Parking 7:30 9am M F, 2:30 4pm M W & F, and 1 2 Th Trim trees to improve street visibility. Install pavers over the unplanted sidewalk buffer strip. Birch St (4) James between Grand and Birch: Consider installing raised crosswalks at Elwood, Duane, and/ or Clinton to slow traffic and emphasize pedestrian crossings. (7) Duane / Harrison: Paint red curb within 20' of crosswalks at the northwest and southwest corners. As an interim measure, supplement painted bulb-outs with safe-hit posts. Construct bulb-outs as indicated by the paint with new sidewalk, curb, gutter, and curb ramps. (8) Samtrans Route 274: Consider rerouting Route 274 to stay on Jefferson between Hudson and El Camino rather than diverting to Hudson-James. Consider the bus reroute in conjunction with pedestrian crossing improvements on Jefferson. (9) Harrison between Cleveland and Duane: Construct curb and sidewalk between crosswalk and school entry gate. Consider constructing an ADA-compliant bridge across the creek. Cleveland St Clinton St Harrison Ave (12) Clinton at Harrison: Paint high-visibility crosswalks. Adam St El Camino Real (10) Jefferson at Clinton and Cleveland: As an interim measure, consider prohibiting southbound left turns with No Left Turns 7 9am 1 4pm MON FRI sign (R33A (CA)) from Cleveland and Clinton. Study whether fences on corner lots conform to Redwood City fence standards for maximum height and visibility. Construct bulb-outs at the northwest and southwest corners of Jefferson / Cleveland with ADA-compliant curb ramps. Jefferson Ave Construct ADA-compliant curb ramp at the southeast corner of Jefferson / Cleveland. Consider removing parking to provide left-turn pockets for east / west-bound traffic. Reconstruct driveways on Jefferson to eliminate sidewalk cross-slopes. Consider installing a traffic signal at Cleveland. There is an existing pedestrian crossing signal at Clinton. (11) Jefferson from Hudson to El Camino Real: Consider a road diet (i.e., reducing roadway s vehicle travel lanes from four to three) that would add Class II bike lanes.
Appendix C: Recommendations Summary MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 8 # Location Recommendation Lead Agency Priority 1 James at Grand Consider installing a speed feedback sign. City Medium 2 James at Elwood Consider installing a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB). City Medium 3a James at Duane Refresh red curb within 20' of crosswalks. City Short 3b James at Duane Evaluate the potential need for a crossing guard. City Short 3c James at Duane Consider all-way-stop control. City Medium 4 James between Grand and Birch Consider installing raised crosswalks at Elwood, Duane, and/or Clinton to slow traffic and emphasize pedestrian crossings. City Medium 5a Harrison west cul-de-sac Consider installing a gate to provide access to the school. School Medium 5b Harrison west cul-de-sac Consider constructing a mulit-use path connecting Harrison across the creek. City / School Long 6a Duane from James to Harrison Install "No Parking 7:30-9am M-F, 2:30-4pm M-W & F, and 1-2 Th" City Short 6b Duane from James to Harrison Trim trees to improve street visibility. City Short 6c Duane from James to Harrison Install pavers over the unplanted sidewalk buffer strip. City / School Short 7a Duane / Harrison Paint red curb within 20' of crosswalks at the northwest and southwest corners. City Short 7b Duane / Harrison As an interim measure, supplement painted "bulb-outs" with safe-hit posts. City Short 7c Duane / Harrison Construct bulb-outs as indicated by the paint with new sidewalk, curb, gutter, and curb ramps. City Medium 8 Samtrans Route 274 Consider rerouting Route 274 to stay on Jefferson between Hudson and El Camino rather than diverting to Hudson-James. Consider the bus reroute in conjunction with pedestrian crossing improvements on Jefferson. Samtrans Long 9a Harrison between Cleveland and Duane Construct curb and sidewalk between crosswalk and school entry gate. City Medium 9b Harrison between Cleveland and Duane Consider constructing an ADA-compliant bridge across the creek City Long 10a Jefferson at Clinton and Cleveland As an interim measure, consider prohibiting southbound left turns with No Left Turns 7 9am 1 4pm MON-FRI sign (R33A (CA)) from Cleveland and Clinton. City Short 10b Jefferson at Cleveland and Clinton Study whether fences on corner lots conform to Redwood City fence standards for maximum height and visibility. City Short 10c Jefferson at Cleveland Construct bulb-outs at the northwest and southwest corners with ADA-compliant curb ramps. City Medium 10d Jefferson at Cleveland Construct ADA-compliant curb ramp at the southeast corner. City Medium 10e Jefferson at Clinton and Cleveland Consider removing parking to provide left-turn pockets for east/west-bound traffic. City Medium 10f Jefferson between Clinton and Cleveland Reconstruct driveways to eliminate sidewalk cross-slopes. City Medium 10g Jefferson at Clinton and Cleveland Consider installing a traffic signal at Cleveland. City Long 11 Jefferson from Alameda to El Camino Consider a road diet (i.e., reducing the roadway s vehicle travel lanes from four to three) that would add Class II bike lanes. City Long 12 Clinton at Harrison Paint high-visibility crosswalks. City Short
Appendix D: Toolbox of Potential Improvements MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 9 Turn restrictions can reduce vehicular conflicts and traffic volumes on specific streets. STOP signs may be installed where pedestrian volumes or other safety considerations warrant. Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons increase yield compliance at uncontrolled crossings. Red curb paint delineates areas where parking is prohibited. Signalized pedestrian crossings provide opportunities for pedestrians to cross safely. Time of day NO PARKING restrictions alert motorists when loading activities occur. Curb ramps provide access to disabled pedestrians and parents walking with strollers. Curb extensions shorten pedestrian crossing distance and enhance visibility. BEFORE AFTER Sidewalk widening can enable pedestrians to walk side-byside or to pass each other. Road diets calm traffic provide space for bicyclists, and can provide pedestrian refuges. Raised crosswalks encourage motorists to travel more slowly through pedestrian crossings. Driver speed feedback signs are another measure to reduce traffic speeds.
MCKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NORTH STAR ACADEMY WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT 10 Example of Signing for School Zone with a School Speed Limit and a School Crossing Example of Signing for School Crosswalk Warning Assembly California MUTCD 2012 Edition (FHWA s MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California) Chapter 7B Signs, page 1274. Figure 7B-5(CA). Part 7 Traffic Control for School Areas. January 13, 2012 California MUTCD 2012 Edition (FHWA s MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California) Chapter 7B Signs, page 1279. Figure 7B-104(CA). Part 7 Traffic Control for School Areas. January 13, 2012
Colton Ave Eaton Ave Somerset St Warwick St Stratford St Oakdale St Arlington Rd Clar emont Ave Birch St Clinton St Duane St El Camino Real Arch St Arguello St Samson St Alden St Fuller St Winslow St Hamilton St Middlefield Rd Marshall St Maple St Nevada St Hillview Ave Copley Ave Opal Ave Alameda de las Pulgas Oak Ridge Dr Lowell St Harding Ave Jeter St Myrtle St Topaz St Whipple Ave Hopkins Ave King St Upton St Fulton St Grand St Three Quarter Mile Radius (15 20 mins) Sir Francis St Iris St Madison Ave Elwood St Katherine Ave Half Mile Radius (10 15 mins) Quartz St Vera Ave Broadway James Ave Hawes St Nevada St Brewster Ave Jefferson Ave Valota Rd Sequoia High School McKinley Institute of Technology North Star Academy Quarter Mile Radius (5 10 mins) Red Morton Community Park St Francis St Hudson St Dickey St Johnson St Sanchez Way Lyons St King St Harrison Ave Fulton St Grand St Hawes Park Jackson Ave Reese St Vera Ave Wilson St Adams St Diller St Lincoln Ave Roosevelt Ave Davis St Regent St Gordon St Norman St Oak Ave Main St Pennsylvania Ave Woodrow St. Clinton St Ebener St Palm Ave Middlefield Rd Redwood Ave Poplar Ave Hess Rd Oxford St Cassia St Heller St Lathrop St Spring St Hilton St Stambaugh St Woodside Rd Cedar St Shasta St Hazel Ave Pine St Buckeye St Hemlock Ave McEvoy St Chesnut St Center St LEGEND Walking Route Bike Lanes Bike Route School Crossing Guard Stop Lights 4-way Stop Orchard McKinley Institute of Technology and North Star Academy encourage parents to walk or bike with their children and use this mapping tool to explore options for commuting between home and school. Parents are responsible for choosing the most appropriate route based on their knowledge of conditions along the route and the experience level of their child. Crosswalk 0 500 1,000 Feet McKinley Institute of Technology / North Star Academy Suggested Walking and Bicycling Routes to School AUGUST 2014