OCEAN DRIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Myrtle Beach, SC Safe Routes to School Travel Plan JANUARY 2017
SRTS Team Roster SRTS Team members represent key community stakeholders, share work of developing the plan, contribute diverse perspectives, build consensus around plan recommendations, and help implement the plan once it s adopted. Name Title or Role Organization or Affiliation Renea Fowler Principal Ocean Drive Elementary Jon Hoffnagle PE Teacher Ocean Drive Elementary Tom Maillet Parent Ocean Drive Elementary Jonathon Smith Parent Ocean Drive Elementary Holly Heniford Board Horry County Member School Board Joe Burch Coordinator Horry County of Planning Schools Travis Dupree Planner City of North Myrtle Beach School Michael James Operations SCDOT Engineer Safe Routes to Rodney Oldham School SCDOT Coordinator Jennifer Senn School SC SRTS Resource Outreach Center Coordinator Andrea Kelsey School Outreach Coordinator SC SRTS Resource Center E-Mail RAnderson@horrycountyschools.net JHoffnagle@horrycountyschools.net thomasmaillet@yahoo.com JSSP436@aol.com Holly.Heniford@HorryCountySchools.net Jbirch@horrycountryschools.net tedupree@nmb.us jamesmt@scdot.org OldhamR@scdot.org JenniferS@scsaferoutes.org Andrea@scsaferoutes.org 1
Primary Contact Name Title Primary Contact Renea Fowler Principal Affiliation Phone Number E-mail Address Ocean Drive Elementary (843) 390-6900 RAnderson@horrycountyschools.net Mailing Address 901 11th Ave N. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 Name Title Primary Contact Jon Hoffnagle PE Teacher Affiliation Phone Number E-mail Address Ocean Drive Elementary (843) 390-6900 JHoffnagle@horrycountyschools.net Mailing Address 901 11th Ave N. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 Vision Statement This plan will be directed by the school and the school community and will incorporate their input. It will propose strategies to improve safety for walkers, bus riders, and car riders entering and exiting the school property. It will also address concerns within the school community about traffic on 11 th Avenue and on Jordon Road by proposing strategies to encourage and enable more students to walk and bicycle to school. 2
What is the makeup of the Student Population? Number and Percentage of Students by Category Category of Students # % Total Student Enrollment 881 100% Pre-K (with disabilities) 12 1.4% Special Education (self-contained) 15 1.7% K 117 13.3% 1st grade 119 13.5% 2nd grade 153 17.4% 3rd grade 159 18.1% 4th grade 162 18.4% 5th grade 144 16.4% Enrolled in programs before school 20 2.3% Enrolled in programs after school 50-70 5.7%-8.0% Eligible for school bus service All students who live further than 1 mile approximately 95% Eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch 470 53.5% With disabilities 133 14.8% 3
When do students arrive and depart school? Student Arrival and Departure Times Arrival Times When do before school programs begin, or what is the earliest students generally arrive at school? When do most students arrive at school? When does the school start bell start ring? 6:50 a.m. during the five months of the school when the pre-algebra program is active; otherwise, 7:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m., when buses begin unloading. 7:30 a.m. Departure Times When does the school end bell ring? When do most students depart school? When do after school programs end, or what is the latest students generally depart school? The first end bell rings at 2:30 p.m. for Child Development (CD), K, and 1 st grade. The second end bell rings at 2:35 p.m. for 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade. Bus riders typically depart the school property by 2:45 p.m., accounting for approximately ½ the school population. Car riders typically depart between 2:30 p.m. and 2:55 p.m., during which the flow of departing car riders is relatively constant. By 3:05 p.m. most students have departed the school. 6:00 p.m.; however, most students in the afterschool Kid Care depart before 6:00 p.m. How are students currently getting to and from school? Number and Percentage of Students by Travel Mode to and from School To School From School Travel Mode % % Walk 1.5% 3.0% Bike 0.1% 0.1% School Bus 32.0% 52.5% Family Vehicle 64.5% 40.0% 4
Carpool 1.5% 2.0% Transit 0.4% 1.4% Other 0.0% 1.0% What is the potential to increase the share of students who walk and bicycle to school? Student Distance from School* # % Less than ¼ mile 6 0.7% ¼ mile up to ½ mile 11 1.2% ½ mile up to 1 mile 20 2.2% 1 mile up to 2 miles 192 20.9% More than 2 miles 691 75.1% *These calculations are based on street network distance. They do not take into account existing or potential pedestrian and bicycle connections that are not part of the street network. They also do not take into account new development planned for the east side of 11 th Avenue. 5
Where are the primary current and potential walking and bicycling routes? Map of School Area with Current and Potential Walking and Bicycling Routes 6
What are the issues related to walking and bicycling? Top Issues Reported by Parents 1. There are no sidewalks in the school parking lot and only one marked crosswalk, which connects the sidewalk at the front of the school to the visitor parking lot. Consequently, drivers do not know where to expect pedestrians, and pedestrians often mix with motor vehicle traffic. 2. There are no marked crosswalks on 11 th Avenue and there is no sidewalk on the east side of 11 th Avenue in the vicinity of the school. Top Issues Reported by School Staff Members 3. Drivers do not expect children walking and bicycling. 4. 11th Avenue is used as a cut-through road, which results in additional traffic at arrival and dismissal times. 5. Motor vehicles appear to be speeding, particularly on 11th Avenue. Have there been any specific safety incidents or concerns? List of location-specific safety concerns raised by the school principal, parents, students, or others Location Safety Concern(s) 11 th Avenue and Golf Drive A parent reported a recent near miss at this location while trying to cross 11 th Avenue with her three children. 7
How do existing policies and procedures impact walking and bicycling? Arrival and Dismissal Policies and Procedures Arrival Policies and Procedures What entrances do student walkers and bikers use to enter the school building during arrival? Do crossing guards assist student walkers and bikers during arrival? If so, where are the crossing guards located, and when are they at these locations? Do other members of the school community (e.g., school staff members, parents, Student Safety Patrol members) assist student walkers and bikers during arrival? If so, how do they assist, where are they located, and when are they at these locations during arrival? Student walkers and bikers enter through the Bus Entrance doors, which are located to the left of the front entrance when facing the school from 11 th Avenue. This door also serves as the entrance and exit for bus riders. No. The principal and PE teacher take turns monitoring a marked crosswalk on the school property that is on the far right side from the front of the building. Currently, two families cross at this location. Dismissal Policies and Procedures Does the school dismiss student walkers and bikers earlier, later, or at the same time as other students? What exits do student walkers and bikers use to leave the school building at dismissal? Do crossing guards assist student walkers and bikers during dismissal? If so, where are the crossing guards located, and when are they at these locations during dismissal? Student walkers and bikers are dismissed after the school buses depart the school property. Student walkers and bikers exit out of the Bus Entrance doors located to the left of the main entrance when facing the school from 11 th Avenue. No. 8
Do other members of the school community (e.g., school staff members, parents, Student Safety Patrol members) assist student walkers and bikers during dismissal? If so, how do they assist, where are they located, and when are they at these locations during dismissal? A teacher holds student walkers and bikers in the cafeteria until the buses leave and then walks them to the gate where the bus lane exits onto 11 th Avenue. Does the school or school district have any policies or procedures that limit student walking? If so, please describe. Does the school or school district have any policies or procedures that limit student biking? If so, please describe. How is eligibility for school bus service determined? Other Policies and Procedures No. No. In general, students must live within the school attendance area and more than 1 mile from the school to be eligible for school bus transportation. However, exceptions are made when hazardous conditions are identified. For example, school bus service is provided to students who live on Golf View Road and there is a bus stop at the intersection of 11 th Avenue and Hillside Drive. 9
What is already being done to encourage walking and bicycling and make it safer? Current Encouragement, Education, and Enforcement Activities/Programs to Encourage Walking and Bicycling and Make it Safer Activity or Program International Walk to School Day SC Walk to School Day Walk to the Beach Bicycle Rack Installation Description Ocean Drive Elementary School participates in International Walk to School Day. Students are encouraged to walk from home or to walk from established meet-up locations at the nearby Home Depot or Food Lion parking lots. Ocean Drive Elementary School participates in SC Walk to School Day. Students are encouraged to walk from home or to walk from established meet up locations at the nearby Home Depot parking lot. Ocean Drive Elementary School conducts an annual Walk to the Beach in latespring. Students walk down 11 th Avenue. A bicycle rack was installed near the Bus Entrance during the 2015-2016 school year. Education, Encouragement, or Enforcement Encouragement Encouragement Encouragement Engineering 10
Issues Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure The top Issues associated with pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure include: 1. School sidewalk network does not connect to street sidewalk network. The sidewalk along the school bus drop-off/ pick-up lane does not connect to the sidewalk on 11 th Avenue. The sidewalk along the 3 rd -5 th grade drop-off/pick up lane does not connect to Jordon Road. The lack of connections between the school sidewalk network and the on-street sidewalk network forces students and adults to walk in motor vehicle lanes, creating a safety concern. 2. Pedestrian priority not indicated where sidewalks cross school driveways. Driveway/sidewalk intersections on 11 th Avenue and Jordon Road are not designed to signal pedestrian priority to drivers, e.g., by using marked crosswalks or by continuing the sidewalk across the driveway opening. Drivers are less likely yield to pedestrians at driveway/sidewalk intersections where pedestrian priority is not indicated. 3. Insufficient lighting on Jordon Road The sidewalk on Jordon Road is not well lit along the school frontage, including at the 3 rd - 5 th grade drop-off/pick-up lane exit. The sidewalk on Jordon Road provides access between the designated school entrance/exit for student walkers and bikers at the front of the school and student residences southwest of the school. Student walkers and bikers begin arriving as early as 6:50 a.m. At certain times of year (e.g., in the fall toward the end of Daylight Savings Time) it is dark at this hour. The school also has a variety of afterschool activities that let out after dark in the fall and winter. The lack of lighting makes this section of sidewalk feel unsafe when it is dark. 5. Lack of marked pedestrian crossings and other pedestrian crossing support measures at key student crossing locations There are currently no marked pedestrian crossings within ¼ mile of the school property, including at the following key student crossing locations. o Across 11 th Avenue at Golf View Drive. o Across Jordon Road at 11 th Avenue. o Across 8 th Avenue at Jordon Road. 11
11 th Avenue is a two-lane road with one motor vehicle travel lane in each direction and continuous sidewalk on the west side of the street between Highway 17 and Ocean Boulevard. Average Daily Traffic between Highway 17 and Hillside Drive was 4,000 vehicles per day in 2015 according to SCDOT s Average Daily Traffic Counts web page. Much of this traffic occurs during arrival and dismissal times, making it difficult for students and adults to find gaps in traffic in order to cross to access the school. There are no STOP signs or traffic lights on 11 th Avenue between Highway 17 and Ocean Boulevard to assist with crossing. 8 th Avenue is a two-lane road with one motor vehicle travel lane in each direction and continuous sidewalk on the west side of the street between Highway 17 and Ocean Boulevard (with the exception of a short gap near Highway 17). Average Daily Traffic on 8 th Avenue is not available from SCDOT s Average Daily Traffic Counts web page; however, relatively high traffic volumes were observed at school arrival and pedestrians had to wait for a gap sufficient to cross as motor vehicles did not stop. There are STOP signs for traffic on 8 th Avenue at Hillside Drive. Otherwise, there are no STOP signs or traffic lights on 11 th Avenue between Highway 17 and Ocean Boulevard to assist with crossing. Jordon Road is a two-lane road with one motor vehicle travel lane in each direction and continuous sidewalk on the north side of the street between 11 th Avenue and 8 th Avenue. Average Daily Traffic on 8th Avenue is not available from SCDOT s Average Daily Traffic Counts web page; however, Jordon Road carries all school traffic associated with 3 rd -5 th grade arrival and dismissal due the location of the 3 rd -5 th grade drop-off/pick-up loop. There is a STOP sign at 11 th Avenue for traffic on Jordon Road. Lack of sidewalks along key pedestrian crossing routes Within a ½ mile radius of the school, sidewalks are present only on one side of Highway 17, 11 th Avenue, 8 th Avenue, Jordon Road, Bellamy Road, Hillside Drive, and Ocean Boulevard. Sidewalks are present on both sides of street in the newer development of Sea Vista Lane, which is a continuation of Jordon Road west of 8 th Avenue. Sidewalks are not present on some key existing and potential walking routes, including Golf View Drive, which links to neighborhoods east of the school. 12
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures or Behaviors The top Issues associated with arrival and dismissal procedures or behaviors include: 1. Motor vehicle speeds on 11 th Avenue The speed limit on 11th Avenue is 35 mph outside of the school zone and 15 mph inside of the school zone. The school zone speed limit applies at all times of day and the school zone extends from just north of the school property on 11th Avenue to Bellamy Road. Motor vehicle speeds in the school zone were checked during arrival and dismissal times using a radar gun. Multiple vehicles were observed traveling faster than 35 mph in the school zone. Several motor vehicles were observed traveling faster than 40 mph. 2. Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times Currently, 64.5% of students are dropped off in a family vehicle and 40.0% of students are picked up in a family vehicle. Enrollment at Ocean Drive Elementary School has increased rapidly in recent years and is likely to increase further in future years due to planned development on the east side of 11 th Avenue across from the school. There is insufficient on-campus queuing space to accommodate all family vehicles, particularly at dismissal. The queue for 3 rd -5 th grade pick-up extends onto Jordon Road. The North Myrtle Beach Police Department instructs drivers to double stack on Jordon Road to avoid the queue backing up onto 8 th Avenue. In order not to block Jordon Road, the Police Department advises one line of drivers to line up with one wheel on the Jordon Road sidewalk, which is at the same level as the road (i.e., no curb). The State Fire Marshall has provided direction to schools prohibiting family vehicles from double-stacking at drop off and pick up locations. This will further lengthen existing queues at arrival and dismissal, since the school currently double stacks family vehicles at these locations. 3. Concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety Pedestrian and bicyclist safety is a key concern for parents and staff members. Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists do not always behave in ways that enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Behaviors observed during arrival and dismissal included: drivers exceeding the speed limit on 11 th Avenue, drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at unmarked crosswalks, pedestrians walking in motor vehicle travel lanes, and pedestrians crossing motor vehicle travel lanes at locations where crosswalks are not present (unmarked or marked). 13
4. Parents concerned about school arrival/dismissal policy changes During the 2015-2016 school year, Horry County Public Schools attempted to revise Ocean Drive Elementary School s arrival and dismissal procedure. Members of the school community, including parents and the school administration, did not feel they had been adequately consulted about the revisions. The revised arrival and dismissal procedure proved unworkable from school s perspective, because it resulted in the drop-off/pick-up queue backing up onto 11 th Avenue. Consequently, the school and the school district worked to re-revise it. The school perceives the current arrival and dismissal procedure as working well and is concerned that revisions to this procedure may have adverse effects. 5. No comfortable place for parents/guardians of student walkers and bikers to wait for students before dismissal Student walkers and bikers exit from the Bus Entrance at dismissal. There are no shaded benches near this entrance where parents/guardians of student walkers can comfortably wait for their student to be dismissed. 14
Opportunities Future Plan Planned widening of 11th Avenue Planned development east of 11th Avenue Planned redesign of school fire lane Why is this an opportunity? There are plans to widen 11th Avenue between Highway 17 and Golf View Road (approximately). The plan includes adding motor vehicle turn lanes and constructing a sidewalk on the east side of 11th Avenue between Highway 17 and north of Golf View Drive. There is an opportunity to improve this design to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. A new development is planned on the east side of 11 th Avenue across from the school property. The development will include 155 new homes and will include a shared use path connecting to 11 th Avenue. There may be an opportunity to work with the developers to fund pedestrian and bicycle improvements on 11 th Avenue to provide better access to the school, to the beach, and to commercial establishments on Highway 17. The Fire Marshall has informed the school that it needs to provide a fire lane along the CD-2 nd drop-off/pick-up drive. In conjunction with widening the driveway, it may also be possible to install a sidewalk along the drive, which could serve families accessing the school property from Sand Dollar Court. Name of Organization SCDOT How they can help Provide advice regarding the school s arrival/dismissal procedure. Work with the City of North Myrtle Beach to modify the 11 th Avenue design to improve pedestrian and bicycle access. 15
State Fire Marshall City of North Myrtle Beach Provide guidance regarding emergency access while also considering other key issues including limited play space, drainage, queuing on neighborhood streets, and pedestrian and bicycle access. Work with SCDOT, Horry County Schools, and local developers to modify the11 th Avenue design to improve pedestrian and bicycle access. Horry County Schools North Myrtle Beach Police Department Work with the City of North Myrtle Beach, SCDOT, and local developers to modify the 11 th Avenue design to improve pedestrian and bicycle access. Provide a crossing guard to assist pedestrians crossing 11 th Avenue. Provide periodic speed enforcement on 11 th Avenue. 16
Non-Infrastructure Strategies Education Strategies Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority Teach the NHTSA Child Pedestrian Concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist High Safety Curriculum safety Communicate with school parents and students any changes related to school arrival/dismissal, including reasons behind any routine changes Provide regular pedestrian and bicycle safety tips to students and their families Educate parents about traffic volume at dismissal times and methods of reducing traffic (walk, bus, carpool, park and walk, etc.) Concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety Concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times High Medium High Enforcement Strategies Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority Implement periodic speed enforcement on 11 th Avenue during arrival and dismissal times. Motor vehicle speeds on 11th Avenue High Investigate the potential for providing a crossing guard to assist pedestrians crossing 11 th Avenue at arrival and dismissal times. Implement a parent pledge to drive the speed limit and yield to crossing pedestrians and bicyclists. Start a caught being good program to encourage better driver, biker, and pedestrian behavior. Lack of marked pedestrian crossings and other pedestrian crossing support measures at key student crossing locations Motor vehicle speeds on 11th Avenue Concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety High Medium 17
Encouragement Strategies Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority Increase the frequency of Walk to School Day events (e.g., weekly, monthly, bimonthly) Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times High Incentivize walking and bicycling from school and reduce conflicts between moving vehicles and pedestrians and bicyclists by allowing walkers and bikers to leave campus first at the end of the day. Establish a walking school bus program (weekly, monthly, bimonthly). Encourage and facilitate carpooling. Distribute maps of recommended walking routes to students and their families that also include information such as a 15 minute walk burns 100 calories and promotes academic achievement in the classroom. Establish a Take the bus to school day for students living greater than 1 mile from the school. Provide information including bus stop, bus number, and pick up/drop off time. Provide school bus service to students who live outside of the attendance boundary. Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times Concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times. High Medium Medium Medium Low High Evaluation Strategies Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority Conduct a speed study on 11th Motor vehicle speeds on 11th Avenue High Avenue. Continue conducting student travel tallies annually to assess impact of SRTS programs. Conduct parent surveys to identify barriers to walking and biking to school. Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times High Medium 18
Conduct a follow up safety assessment with the SRTS Resource Center to assess improvements and opportunities. Conduct a focus group with families living <1 mile from school to evaluate barriers and facilitate walking and bicycling to school. Concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times Medium High Arrival and Dismissal Strategies Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority Consider revising the school arrival and dismissal process to prevent cars from obstructing the sidewalk on the north side of Jordon Road. Potential revisions include: Vehicle volumes at drop off and pick up times High Reverse the flow of traffic through the 3rd-5th grade drop-off/ pick-up lane. Maintain the Do Not Enter restriction at 11th Avenue Establish a right turn only restriction at the new 3rd-5th grade drop-off/ pick up lane exit Ask parents to queue single file on the south side of Jordon Road and not block driveways or drive on private property. or Ask parents to queue single file on the north side of Jordon Road and not obstruct the sidewalk or driveway exit. Note: Robust parent education and regular enforcement will be necessary regardless of whether parents are asked to queue on the south side or north side of Jordon Road. 19
Infrastructure Strategies 20
ID Location Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority 1 Campus Connect sidewalk next to school bus drop-off/ pick-up lane to 11th Avenue at bus drive exit. The existing sidewalk serves the Bus Entrance where student walkers and bikers enter and exit. 2 Campus Establish sidewalk connection between sidewalk adjacent to 3 rd -5 th grade drop-off/ pick-up lane and Jordon Road (west end only). Provide pedestrian gate at this location and adjust arrival/dismissal procedure to enable walkers to enter/exit the school building through the same entrance used by 3 rd -5 th grade car riders. 3 Campus Establish sidewalk connection between front of school and 11th Avenue at northeast corner of school property. Include marked high-visibility crosswalks where sidewalk intersects motor vehicle travel lanes 4 Campus Create a comfortable place for parents/guardians of student walkers and bikers to wait for their student outside of the Bus Entrance Doors. School sidewalk network does not connect to street sidewalk network. School sidewalk network does not connect to street sidewalk network. School sidewalk network does not connect to street sidewalk network. No comfortable place for parents/guardians of student walkers and bikers to wait for students before dismissal High High High Medium 21
ID Location Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority 5 School driveway openings 6 Jordon Road (along school frontage to 11 th Avenue( 7 11 th Avenue at CD-2nd grade school driveway opening 8 11 th Avenue/ Golf View Drive Mark high-visibility crosswalks. Incorporate median crossing island into CD-2nd grade school driveway opening to facilitate crossing. Install pedestrian-scale lighting (particularly near driveway exits). Establish pedestrian crossing across 11th Avenue. Support with marked high-visibility crosswalk, median crossing island, and crossing guard. Study intersection to determine if traffic signal or HAWK beacon is warranted based on future development conditions. Extend median island proposed in recommendation 7 to Golf View Drive. 9 11 th Avenue Consider modifying planted included in design for planned widening of 11 th Avenueto include cutthrough pedestrian refuge and marking high-visibility crosswalks and installing pedestrian crossing signage. Pedestrian priority not indicated where sidewalk crosses school driveways. Insufficient lighting on Jordon Road Lack of marked pedestrian crossings and other pedestrian crossing support measures at key student crossing locations Planned widening of 11 th Avenue Motor vehicle speeds on 11th Avenue Planned widening of 11 th Avenue Lack of marked pedestrian crossings and other pedestrian crossing support measures at key student crossing locations Planned widening of 11 th Avenue Medium Medium High High Medium 22
ID Location Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority 10 11 th Avenue Install school zone speed limit signs and flashing beacons. Coordinate with SCHOOL pavement markings. Consider reducing speed limit on 11 th Avenue to 25 mph between HWY 17 and south of school with coordinated traffic calming measures and enforcement (to at least Princess Anne Drive). 11 11 th Avenue Widen sidewalk on west side of 11 th Avenue between Jordon Road and HWY 17 to 7 feet or 5 feet with 2 buffer where feasible considering existing right of way. Construct sidewalk on east side of 11 th Avenue between proposed pedestrian crossing and Captain Hook s Way. Motor vehicle speeds on 11th Avenue Planned widening of 11 th Avenue Lack of sidewalks along key pedestrian crossing routes Planned widening of 11 th Avenue High High Or Install shared use path on west side of 11 th Avenue between HWY 17 and school property. Space could be captured by narrowing the center turn lane from 15 to 12. 23
ID Location Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority 12 11 th Avenue/ Tilghman Forest Drive Convert striped section on southwest corner to curb extension Planned widening of 11 th Avenue Medium 13 Golf View Drive Construct sidewalk on north side of roadway between 11 th Avenue to dead end path connection. 14 11 th Avenue Construct sidewalk on east side of 11 th Avenue between proposed Captain Hook s Way and Ocean Boulevard Lack of sidewalks along key pedestrian crossing routes Lack of sidewalks along key pedestrian crossing routes Low Low Or Continue shared use path on west side 15 Jordon Road and 8 th Avenue Mark high-visibility crosswalk and add pedestrian crossing signage to support 8th Avenue crossing. Lack of marked pedestrian crossings and other pedestrian crossing support measures at key student crossing locations Low 24
ID Location Strategy Issue(s) Addressed Priority 16 Jordon Road and 11 th Avenue Mark high-visibility crosswalk across Jordon Road. Lack of marked pedestrian crossings and other pedestrian crossing support measures at key student crossing locations Medium Infrastructure Strategy Disclaimer These are preliminary infrastructure strategies and each location may require further engineering analysis, public input, design, and review by the appropriate agency(ies) prior to implementation. Furthermore, any permanent or temporary signage off school property would need to be pre-approved by the SCDOT or the County (whoever maintains the road where signage was being placed). 25
12-Month Strategy Calendar The 12-month Strategy Calendar on the following pages identifies education, encouragement, and enforcement strategies that are important and feasible within a one-year timeframe. It also details who is going to be involved and the step-by-step process of implementing each strategy. The non-infrastructure strategy is indicated in the left-hand column. Note that the lead coordinator will not necessarily implement the activity alone but will be responsible for initiating planning and recruiting others to help. The shading indicates the months during which planning will take for an activity, and an X indicates the month when the activity will take place. For ongoing activities, there is an X for each month during which the activity will take place. First Year Infrastructure Implementation This table, found at the end of this section, keeps track of potential funding opportunities for high priority infrastructure strategies. The infrastructure strategy is indicated in the left-hand column. The lead coordinator is indicated in the second column by name and title as appropriate. The lead coordinator is responsible for identifying potential funding sources and keeping track of application deadlines and requirements. The lead coordinator may also serve as a liaison with local government for communications regarding this strategy. The remaining columns indicate the most likely potential funding source, the deadline for applications (if applicable), and key application requirements. 26
Non-Infrastructure Strategy Teach the NHTSA Child Pedestrian Safety Curriculum Communicate with school parents and students any changes related to school arrival/dismissal, including reasons behind any routine changes Educate parents about traffic volume at dismissal times and methods of reducing traffic (walk, bus, carpool, park and walk, etc.) Lead Coordinator Jon Hoffnagle Sue Wilson (data collection) Jon Hoffnagle, Sue Wilson 1 Jan X 2 Feb X 3 March 4 April 5 May 6 June Month 7 July 8 Aug X 9 Sept 10 Oct 11 Nov 12 Dec 27
Non-Infrastructure Strategy Increase the frequency of Walk to School Day events (e.g., weekly, monthly, bimonthly) Incentivize walking and bicycling from school and reduce conflicts between moving vehicles and pedestrians and bicyclists by allowing walkers and bikers to leave campus first at the end of the day. Implement periodic speed enforcement on 11 th Avenue during arrival and dismissal times Lead Coordinator Jon Hoffnagle, Sue Wilson Jon Hoffnagle Renea Fowler, Parent Officer 1 Jan 2 Feb X 3 March 4 April 5 May X X X X X 6 June Month 7 July 8 Aug 9 Sept X 10 Oct 11 Nov 12 Dec X X X X X 28
Non-Infrastructure Strategy Conduct a speed study on 11 th Avenue Lead Coordinator SCDOT 1 Jan 2 Feb 3 March X 4 April 5 May 6 June Month 7 July 8 Aug 9 Sept 10 Oct 11 Nov 12 Dec Continue conducting student travel tallies to assess impact of SRTS programs Jon Hoffnagle, Renea Fowler X 29
Infrastructure Strategy Lead Coordinator Potential Funding Source Connect sidewalk next to Mark Wolfe, Renea Transportation school bus drop-off/pick-up Fowler Alternatives Setlane to 11 th Avenue at bus Aside drive exit. The existing sidewalk serves the Bus (Alternative: Horry entrance where student County Public walkers and bikers enter and Schools) exit Establish sidewalk connection between sidewalk adjacent to 3 rd 5 th grad drop-off/pick-up land and Jordan Road (west end only). Provide pedestrian gate at this location and adjust arrival/dismissal procedure to enable walkers to enter/exit the school building through the same entrance used by 3 rd - 5 th grade car riders Establish sidewalk connection between front of school and 11 th Avenue at northeast corner of school property. Include marked high-visibility crosswalks where sidewalk intersects motor vehicle travel lanes. Mark Wolfe, Renea Fowler Mark Wolfe, Renea Fowler Transportation Alternatives Set- Aside (Alternative: Horry County Public Schools) Transportation Alternatives Set- Aside (Alternative: Horry County Public Schools) Application Deadline Applications are accepted year round. Applications are accepted year round. Applications are accepted year round. Key application Requirements Requires a 20% local match. $400K cap on SCDOT TAP projects Must identify eligible project sponsor Must hold public meeting Requires a 20% local match. $400K cap on SCDOT TAP projects Must identify eligible project sponsor Must hold public meeting Requires a 20% local match. $400K cap on SCDOT TAP projects Must identify eligible project sponsor Must hold public meeting 30
Infrastructure Strategy Lead Coordinator Potential Funding Source Establish pedestrian crossing Travis Dupree, City of Transportation across 11 th Avenue. Support North Myrtle Beach Alternatives Setwith marked high-visibility Aside crosswalk, median crossing island, and crossing guard. (Alternative: Horry Study intersection to County Public determine if traffic signal or Schools) HAWK beacon is warranted based on future development conditions Extend median island proposed in recommendation to Golf View Drive Travis Dupree, City of North Myrtle Beach Transportation Alternatives Set- Aside Application Deadline Applications are accepted year round. Applications are accepted year round. Key application Requirements Requires a 20% local match. $400K cap on SCDOT TAP projects Must identify eligible project sponsor Must hold public meeting Requires a 20% local match. $400K cap on SCDOT TAP projects Must identify eligible project sponsor Must hold public meeting Install school zone speed limit signs and flashing beacons; Coordinate with SCHOOL pavement markings; Consider reducing speed limit on 11 th Avenue to 25 mph between HWY 17 and south of school with coordinated traffic calming measures and enforcement (to at least Princess Anne Drive) Travis Dupree, City of North Myrtle Beach Transportation Alternatives Set- Aside Applications are accepted year round. Requires a 20% local match. $400K cap on SCDOT TAP projects Must identify eligible project sponsor Must hold public meeting 31
Infrastructure Strategy Lead Coordinator Potential Funding Source Widen sidewalk on west side Travis Dupree, City of Transportation of 11 th Avenue between North Myrtle Beach Alternatives Set- Jordan Road and HWY 17 to Aside 7 feed or 5 feed with 2 foot buffer where feasible considering existing right of way. Construct sidewalk on east side of 11 th Avenue between proposed pedestrian crossing and Captain Hook s Way. OR Install shared use path on west side of 11 th Avenue between HWY 17 and school property. Space could be captured by narrowing the center turn lane from 15 feet to 12 feet. Application Deadline Applications are accepted year round. Key application Requirements Requires a 20% local match. $400K cap on SCDOT TAP projects Must identify eligible project sponsor Must hold public meeting 32
Public Input Process and Endorsements The table below briefly describes the public input strategies used to gather input on the draft SRTS travel plan from school, community, and government representatives. Strategies Used to Get Input on the Draft SRTS Travel Plan Category Strategies Used Key Feedback Provided School Community Requested review from Principal and School Champion Present travel plan at neighborhood association meetings Government Requested review from City of North Myrtle Beach and SCDOT 33
Plan Endorsements The undersigned pledge support for the Ocean Drive Elementary School SRTS Travel Plan and SRTS program. Renea Fowler School Principal, Ocean Drive Elementary Travis Dupree Public Works Engineering Manager, City of North Myrtle Beach Jon Hoffnagle PE Teacher, Ocean Drive Elementary Rick Maxey, Ph. D. Superintendent, Horry County Public Schoolr 34