PRINCE GEORGE S PLAZA METRO AREA PEDESTRIAN PLAN May 28, 2008 Agenda Welcome and introductions Project overview and issue identification Planning context and strengths Design challenges and initial recommendations Next steps and discussion Site walk Overview Conducted as part of the Transportation Planning Board s Transportation/Land-Use Connections Program Partnership between: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Prince George s County, MD City of Hyattsville, MD Maryland State Highway Administration Other stakeholders
Goals Identify short-term improvements and a long-term vision for pedestrian mobility Encourage complete streets that serve all users Provide better pedestrian access to transit, shopping, jobs, housing, parks and open space, etc. Envision connections to surrounding neighborhoods Goals, Cont. Foster the relationship between: Prince George s Plaza Metro Station The Mall at Prince George s Plaza University Town Center Develop strategies for improving the intersection of East/West Highway and Belcrest Road Develop design concepts and cost estimates for planning and implementation purposes Issue Identification Physical Environment Automobile-oriented urban design, scale and land use Unused space (e.g. continuous turn lane, wide lanes) Large turning radii Narrow medians Large crossing distances and limited crossing opportunities Difficult driveways Lack of buffers Discontinuous sidewalk network
Issue Identification, Cont. Pedestrian Experience Heavy motor vehicle traffic volumes and high speeds Driver behavior (e.g. cut through traffic) Signal timing (e.g. long wait times and short crossing intervals) Fast turning movements Limited sight lines Accessibility concerns Pedestrian access through parking lots
Context Planning Context Environment Strengths Planning Context Plan/Policy Support Transit District Development Plan Hyattsville Bike & Pedestrian Safety Committee Recommendations Detailed Site Plans Strengths of TD Plan Proposes trail/bikeway system Maps Recognizes walking and biking as seriously viable modes of transportation To achieve, with the recommended trails and bikeway infrastructure in place, a goal that at least 5 percent of the transit district workers and/or persons accessing the Metro will use bicycles and walking as alternative transportation Treats pedestrian facilities as high priorities Walkways through parking lots Mandates pedestrian links to destinations Trail planning begins with first Detailed Site Plan
Proposed Pedestrian and Bicycle Trail Network Yellow line = proposed multimodal trail Orange line = existing bike lane Blue line = proposed bike lanes Red line = NW Branch Trail Strengths of Committee s Recommendations Crossing signals need to be improved Length of time to cross Add signage to promote drivers awareness of pedestrians Increase sidewalk width on northwest corner to allow pedestrian gathering Ensure connectivity through intersections Detailed Site Plan Observations Ideal pedestrian connections within the sites University Town Center Gateway welcomes all modes of travel Parking lot for most buildings are off to the side In general, limited connections to other neighboring sites Crosswalks across boundaries Sidewalk connections
3 Transit Oriented Development View of University Town Center Plaza 12 Neighborhood with potential connections 2 Metro with Transit Oriented Development Pedestrian gateway to Prince George s Plaza Metro station
13 Pedestrian Generator The Mall at Prince George's Plaza 3 Transit Oriented Development Housing at University Town Center Context Summary Several opportunities for short-term retrofitting Pedestrian-oriented site plan design Vibrant streetscapes Surrounding area Desirable neighborhoods Pedestrian generators
Challenges Observations Design Challenges Best Practices Examples Lack of Crosswalk East-West Hwy (looking east) Crossing East-West Hwy Raised Crosswalk in Metro Plaza Good design, needs more reflective striping to keep drivers alert
Signal Timing Existing Median Crossing East-West Highway Well Designed Median on Belcrest Smooth, one-level surface easy for strollers, wheelchairs, etc. Refuge is as wide as crosswalk
Existing Radius of Belcrest and East-West Hwy Radius Reduction Seattle, WA Absent Connection During Construction
Absent Connection During Construction Mom needs to walk further into driveway to continue walk on sidewalk (Belcrest walking west) Curb Ramp Curb ramps do no line up and they lack physical warning for the visual impaired. Curb Ramp Better design in intersection
Sidewalk Width/Connectivity Lack of connectivity, buffer, curb ramps, and has insufficient width East-West Highway Walking West Presence of buffer, good sidewalk width, connected to pedestrian systems Bus Stop on Belcrest north of East-West Hwy Lacks amenities and visibility for drivers
Bus Stop on Belcrest south of East-West Hwy Streetscape Design Lack of buffer and vegetation Streetscape Design on East-West Highway Buffer on both sides, well shaded, excellent width and surface treatment, well lit
Parking lot This parking lot outside of target does not serve all pedestrians needs. Many fan out from the pedestrian overpass and pick a different route. Well Designed Parking Lot
General Recommendations Short Term (0-3 years) Belcrest Road and East/West Highway improvements Increase enforcement Eliminate barriers Improve signal timing Fill gaps in the sidewalk network Ensure pedestrian access with ongoing new development Other spot improvements Implement Complete Streets Principles Medium Term (3+ years) Improve access through parking lots Develop greenway corridors Develop key properties at pedestrian scale Access management Complete Streets Principles Encourage medians as pedestrian refuge islands Design turning radii to slow turning vehicles Find wasted space and better utilize Time signals to function for all modes Reduce crossing distances Increase crossing opportunities Encourage pedestrian-scaled land use and urban design Acknowledge that pedestrians will take the most direct route Ensure universal accessibility Pursue targeted education and enforcement efforts
Next Steps, Questions and Discussion Next Steps Ongoing site analysis Cost estimates Complete Streets toolbox Follow-up meeting (June 18, 2008) Draft report Questions and Discussion Site Walk
PRINCE GEORGE S PLAZA METRO AREA PEDESTRIAN PLAN June 17, 2008 Agenda Welcome and introductions Complete Streets principles Design recommendations Cost estimates Prioritization and funding Next steps and discussion 10 Complete Streets Principles 1. Encourage medians as pedestrian refuge islands 2. Design turning radii to slow turning vehicles
10 Complete Streets Principles, Cont. 3. Find wasted space and better utilize it 4. Time traffic signals to function for all modes 10 Complete streets principles, Cont. 5. Reduce crossing distances 6. Increase crossing opportunities 10 Complete streets principles, Cont. 7. Encourage pedestrian-scaled land use and urban design 8. Acknowledge that pedestrians will take the most direct route
10 Complete streets principles, Cont. 9. Ensure universal accessibility 10. Pursue targeted education and enforcement efforts to reduce bicycle and motor vehicle crashes Curb extensions Benefits Reduce motor vehicle turning radii Reduce pedestrian crossing distances Create space for buffer treatments and environmentally beneficial features such as surface water retention areas
Existing Radius of Belcrest and East-West Hwy Reducing turning radii Maryland SHA Pedestrian and Bicycle Design Guidelines
Radius Reduction Seattle, WA Curb Extension Clarendon, Virginia Streetscape Design on East-West Highway
Pedestrian refuge islands Benefits Increase safety and comfort Allow pedestrians to cross one direction of motor vehicle traffic at a time Reduce pedestrian crashes Especially beneficial for people with disabilities or that are traveling at slower speeds
8 FT. Pedestrian refuge island Hyattsville, MD Pedestrian refuge islands Maryland SHA Pedestrian and Bicycle Design Guidelines
Pedestrian refuge island Seattle, WA Raised crosswalks Benefits Provide a continuous route for pedestrians at the same level as the sidewalk Encourages motorists to yield and makes crossing the street safer for pedestrians Pedestrians are positioned slightly higher than the road surface, which makes them more visible to approaching motorists Pavement markings on the slope of the raised crosswalk can improve the visibility of the raised crosswalk to motorists
Raised Crosswalk in Metro Plaza Raised crosswalk Boulder, Colorado
Other design elements Access management Sidewalk connectivity On-road bicycle treatments Sight distance improvements Signal timing Increased crossing opportunities
Shared lane marking Maryland SHA Pedestrian and Bicycle Design Guidelines Signal Timing
Rapid Flash Beacons Washington, DC Other spot improvements Wall in proximity to Target Bridge connecting the Northwest Branch Trail Fence by Adelphi Road
Long Term Vision Develop key properties at pedestrian scale (dental building and gas station) Redevelop surface parking Develop greenway corridors Improve access through parking lots Access management Well Designed Parking Lot
Cost Estimates Intersection improvements: $710,000 Midblock crossing improvements: $560,000 Spot Improvements Bridge: $170,000 Wall modification: $9,000 Neighborhood connection: $1,000 Total: $1,450,000 Prioritization and Funding Near-Term Priorities Belcrest Road and East/West Highway intersection Mid-block crossing Spot improvements Funding Prince George s County Maryland SHA City of Hyattsville Private development Other
Next steps and discussion Final design Plan development Outreach