NY Route 5 Comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Study: A Corridor Perspective CDTC Planning Committee. January 7, PDF Free Download

NY Route 5 Comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Study: A Corridor Perspective CDTC Planning Committee January 7, 2015

Project Objective Study Scope: Perform an analysis of pedestrian related accidents, An engineering assessment of existing infrastructure related to pedestrian safety. Develop planning level recommendations that, upon implementation, will help to improve pedestrian safety along this highly traveled corridor. Form a comprehensive pedestrian safety plan for the Route 5 corridor through a combination of the Three E s : Education Enforcement Engineering The data collection, analysis, and suggested countermeasures were conducted and developed to support the Education, Enforcement, and Engineering components of the study.

Study Area 15.4 Mile Segment of Route 5 Washington Avenue in Schenectady to Broadway in Albany Schenectady Segment 4 miles NYSDOT Segment 7.6 Miles» Town of Niskayuna» Town of Colonie» Village of Colonie Albany Segment 3.8 Miles

Study Area 81 signalized intersections City of Schenectady Segment» 29 Signalized Intersections NYSDOT Segment» 20 Signalized Intersections City of Albany Segment» 32 Signalized Intersections

Study Area Scoping Process Study area divided into Eight Focus Areas» 2 Schenectady» 3 Colonie» 3 Albany 206 of the 290 pedestrian accidents represented (6 years of data) 47 of the 81 signalized intersections represented Findings can be applied through corridor

Study Area Schenectady Segment Focus Area 1 (Washington Ave Nott Terrace/Veeder Ave) Focus Area 2 (Swan St Fehr Ave/Elbert St) 15 signalized intersections, 1 pedestrian only signal Daily Traffic Volume = 9,600 to 15,900 cars per day Vehicular Accidents = 1,005 Pedestrian Accidents = 44 (1 Fatality) Bicycle Accidents (acting as a pedestrian) = 13 1 2

Study Area NYSDOT Segment Focus Area 3 (Midway Fire Dept. Vly Road) Focus Area 4 (Shoprite/Willow Ave Nicholas Drive/Woolard Ave) Focus Area 5 (Wolf Road Osborne Road) 14 signalized intersections, 1 pedestrian only/fire signal Daily Traffic Volume = 25,500 to 43,250 cars per day Vehicular Accidents = 1,390 Pedestrian Accidents = 55 (5 Fatalities) Bicycle Accidents (acting as a pedestrian) = 27 3 4 5

Study Area Albany Segment Focus Area 6 (Colvin Ave North Allen St/Watervliet Ave) Focus Area 7 (Partridge St Robin St) Focus Area 8 (Henry Johnson Blvd Dove St) 15 signalized intersections, 1 pedestrian only signal Daily Traffic Volume = 16,675 to 28,800 cars per day Vehicular Accidents = 1,761 Pedestrian Accidents = 107 Bicycle Accidents (acting as a pedestrian) = 21 6 7 8

Engineering Recent Improvements Upgrades in 2013/2014: Leading pedestrian intervals added to various signals New elevator style pedestrian buttons Other recent upgrades independent of study: Median barrier installed on Washington Ave Streetscape/Traffic Calming projects Erie Blvd to Nott Terrace/Veeder Avenue Kelton Avenue to Fehr Avenue Erie Boulevard reconstruction project New traffic signals Willow Avenue/ShopRite OTB/ShopRite ADA improvements to pedestrian push buttons, signs, ramps CDTA bus rapid transit stations, TSP and QJ features Included some pedestrian upgrades (i.e., Jupiter Lane)

Project Complexities Municipal/Agency Coordination NYSDOT Cities of Schenectady and Albany Towns of Colonie and Niskayuna Village of Colonie 22 meetings in approximately 6 months CDTA Considerations including BusPlus Highest CDTA Ridership in Capital District with 3.9 million riders per year Traffic signal coordination throughout the corridor Extensive field work component

Project Overview Planning Level Study Existing Conditions Assessment Pedestrian Accident Analysis» Review of bicycle accidents Provisions for Pedestrians» Crosswalks» Pedestrian push buttons» Signs» Pedestrian phasing at signals Pedestrian Counts and Traffic Volumes» Peak Hour Counts and Off Peak Counts (10 locations)» Document use of Equipment Roadway Geometry» Lane widths and lane use» Pavement markings» Parking regulations Traffic Signal timing and operations Street lighting Transit

Overall Accident Review

Overall Accident Review Focus Area Pedestrians (Total 4 Hour Count) Six Year Crash History (January 2007 to December 2012) Pedestrian Injury Pedestrian Fatality Bicycle (acting as pedestrian) Vehicle Only 1 3,315 21 1 7 386 2 1,960 22 0 6 619 3 400 16 2 2 325 4 235 14 1 10 450 5 710 20 2 15 615 6 1,270 21 0 8 880 7 3,390 43 0 11 528 8 3,465 43 0 2 353 Total 14,745 200 6 61 4,156

Observed Behavior Using Ped. Phase Focus Area Total Pedestrian Crossing Total Pedestrian Observed Using Pedestrian Phase Side Street Route 5 Side Street Route 5 FA 1 2,084 1,232 579 (28%) 229 (19%) FA 2 1,523 677 20 (1%) 46 (7%) FA 3 356 175 21 (6%) 56 (32%) FA 4 152 82 0 (0%) 45 (55%) FA 5 422 288 7 (2%) 76 (18%) FA 6 817 541 163 (20%) 138 (26%) FA 7 2,849 1,989 970 (34%) 593 (30%) FA 8 2,807 2,269 1,646 (59%) 1,406 (62%) Based on field data collection AM, PM, & Off Peak Counts Points to the important link between the Three E s

Accident Overview (Fatalities) FA 1 1 Fatality Driver ran red light and struck pedestrian crossing Erie Boulevard (night) FA 3 2 Fatalities Both midblock between Midway Fire Department and New Karner Road» Both night time accidents» Both pedestrians were intoxicated FA 4 1 Fatality Midblock west of Lincoln Avenue Pedestrian crossing Route 5 (night wet/rainy) FA 5 2 Fatalities Both near Osborne Road (one east and west) Midblock crossings of Route 5 by pedestrians Both night time» One driver traveling down median pedestrian alcohol involvement» Second pedestrian using cell phone distracted

Review of Trends Weather Cloudy 29% Rain 14% Clear 54% Snow 2% Sleet/Hail/Freezing Rain 0.5% Fog/Smog 0.5%

Review of Trends Day of Week Saturday 10% Sunday 6% Friday 16% Monday 16% Tuesday 15% Thursday 19% Wednesday 18%

Review of Trends Light Condition Dark Road Unlighted 1% Dark Road Lighted 31% Dusk 1.5% 1% Daylight 65% Dawn 1.5%

Review of Trends Time of Day 7PM 12AM 18% 12AM 6AM 6% 6AM 10AM 17% 4PM 7PM 19% 10AM 4PM 40%

Review of Trends Primary Contributing Factors Ped Confusion/Error 50% Failure to yield Right of Way 17% Driver Inattention 19% Pavement Slippery Alchohol Involvement Other Vehicular 0% 1% 0.5% 0.5% 1% Traffic Control Disregarded 3% Turning Improperly 1% View Obstructed/ Limited 2% Glare 2% Backing Unsafely 2% Passing or Lane Usage Improper 1% Cell Phone (Hand held) 1%

Review of Trends

Assessment of Available Ped. Features Intersection Operations Leading Pedestrian Interval Exclusive Pedestrian Phase No Turn on Red Signs (Active/Static) Pedestrian Clearance Pedestrian Accommodations Pedestrian Signal Compliance and Upgrades Responsive Push Buttons Crosswalk Presence (Marking a Crosswalk) Crosswalk Marking (Hi Visibility Crosswalks) Roadway Infrastructure Bus Stop Locations Lighting Levels Median Barrier Traffic Calming Road Diet Driver Feedback Signs Miscellaneous Yield to Pedestrian Sign

Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI)

Responsive Pedestrian Buttons

Education / Enforcement Governor s Traffic Safety Committee http://www.safeny.ny.gov/peds ndx.htm Education campaign announced September 15, 2014 Pedestrian Safety Education See, be seen How the systems works Use crossings Wait for Walk Cross with signal

Education / Enforcement Week long enforcement campaign announced on September 15, 2014 Goal of improving pedestrian safety Police Departments» Schenectady» Albany» Niskayuna» Colonie 298 total warnings with 170 warnings directly related to pedestrian error 352 total tickets issued with 71 summons directly related to pedestrian error One pedestrian accident witnessed in Schenectady

Suggested Improvements Schenectady NY Route 5/Brandywine Avenue INSERT SPECIFIC INTERSECTION EXAMPLES STATE STREET BRANDYWINE AVENUE

Suggested Improvements Schenectady Summarized accidents in Focus Area using typical TE 213 form 5 of 6 accidents were right angle collisions (4 associated with pedestrian confusion/error) One left turn accident associated with pedestrian confusion/error Accidents were shown on a collision diagrams to identify patterns

Suggested Improvements Schenectady Improvements were identified at each location

Suggested Improvements Schenectady Simulated intersection operations with a Leading Pedestrian Interval Phase City Concerns with coordination between Albany Street and McClellan Street

Suggested Improvements Schenectady NY Route 5/Brandywine Ave Install new traffic signal with LPI INSERT SPECIFIC INTERSECTION EXAMPLES STATE STREET BRANDYWINE AVENUE

Suggested Improvements Schenectady Used a light meter to observe existing conditions Visual 2012 was used to develop models of each location

Suggested Improvements Schenectady Below 0.75 fc 250w Luminaire 150w Luminaire Lighting Levels Current standards recommend 3.2 foot candles (fc) for the overall intersection Existing Levels = 1.1 fc

Suggested Improvements Schenectady Below 0.75 fc 400w Luminaire 400w Luminaire Lighting Levels Recommended Levels = 3.2 fc Existing Levels = 1.1 fc Bulb Upgrades = 2.1 fc

Suggested Improvements Schenectady 400w Luminaire 400w Luminaire 400w Luminaire Lighting Levels Recommended Levels = 3.2 fc Existing Levels = 1.1 fc Bulb Upgrades = 2.1 fc Additional Light Fixture Upgrade = 3.2 fc

Suggested Improvements NYSDOT NY Route 5/Osborne Road INSERT SPECIFIC INTERSECTION EXAMPLES OSBORNE ROAD CENTRAL AVENUE

Suggested Improvements NYSDOT A mix of right angle, left turn, and right turn accidents 3 of 4 accidents were a result of pedestrian confusion/error One fatal accident 40 feet east of intersection associated with pedestrian confusion/error Second fatal accident <800 feet west of intersection associated with pedestrian in median and vehicle traveling in median toward Osborne Road

Suggested Improvements NYSDOT

Suggested Improvements NYSDOT NY Route 5/Osborne Road Incorporated LPI INSERT SPECIFIC INTERSECTION EXAMPLES OSBORNE ROAD CENTRAL AVENUE

Suggested Improvements NYSDOT Colonie Center Median Concept

Suggested Improvements Albany NY Route 5/Lark Street LARK STREET CENTRAL AVENUE WASHINGTON AVENUE

Suggested Improvements Albany A mix of right angle (10), left turn (11), and right turn (6) accidents 10 of 27 accidents were a result of pedestrian confusion/error

Suggested Improvements Albany

Suggested Improvements Albany NY Route 5/Lark Street Incorporate Exclusive Pedestrian Phase LARK STREET CENTRAL AVENUE WASHINGTON AVENUE

Schedule Short Term (within 1 year) Pedestrian Timing/Phasing 10 Intersections Yield to Pedestrian Signs 10 Intersections Outside Focus Areas Pedestrian Signals 27 Intersections Marked Crosswalks 5 Intersections Bus Stop Locations 10 Locations

Schedule Short Term (within 1 year) Push Buttons Install responsive push buttons where push buttons are not present, where pedestrian accommodations are added, or where they were not identified under Immediate suggestions. This includes elevator and talking style push buttons. Traffic Signal Replacement The existing traffic signal at Brandywine Avenue will be replaced in order to incorporate the pedestrian accommodations and related timing changes. Raised Median A raised median barrier with a fence should be considered at Colonie Center to discourage the observed mid block crossing trend. A crosswalk with full pedestrian accommodations is also proposed on the eastern side of the raised median.

Engineering Schedule Long Term (as funding becomes available) Signal Timing Pedestrian Signals Crosswalk Styles Bus Stop Locations Lighting Driver Feedback Road Diet Before After

Discussion

NY Route 5 Comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Study: A Corridor Perspective CDTC Planning Committee. January 7, 2015