Title
Subject: Pedestrian Safety Program
From: Public Works Agency
Recommendation: Approve Report and Recommendation regarding the proposed projects for the Fiscal Year 2001-2003 Citywide Pedestrian Safety Program
Body
CITY OF OAKLAND
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Off-ice of the City Manager 2003 JUN 1 2 PM 2: 2 9
ATTN: Robert C. Bobb
FROM: Public Works Agency
DATE: June 24, 2003
RIF: A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON THE PROPOSED
PROJECTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2001-2003 CITYWIDE
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAM
SUMMARY
In the FY 2001-2003 adopted budget, the City Council allocated $765,000 for the Citywide
Pedestrian Safety Program. The Program will evaluate existing conditions and implement
projects at high-accident locations citywide to improve pedestrian safety. This report identifies
the specific projects aimed at improving pedestrian safety.
FISCAL IMPACTS
The estimated design and construction cost for the improvements identified in Exhibit A is
$765,000. Sufficient funds are available in the PWA/Transportation Services budget (Org.
30246, Fund 5500, Project # C188510).
BACKGROUND
For the FY 2001-2006 Capital Improvement Program, the City Council approved $765,000 in
Municipal Improvement Capital (MIC - Fund 5500) for the identification and implementation
of pedestrian safety improvements. The Transportation Services Division (TSD) evaluated
numerous locations citywide for consideration of potential improvements. Based on the
accident history for the past five years, recommendations from the recently adopted Pedestrian
Master Plan, and input from the community and the Police Department, six locations were
selected for specific pedestrian safety improvements. An additional project, which proposes
mobile speed limit trailers for deployment across the City, is also proposed.
While selectina these projects, the Transportafion Services Division assured that the projects
represented all the demographic and geographic sectors across the City. Also considered was
the -3 E's" approach-Engineering, Education and Enforcement. Although most of the
proposed projects involve engineering improvements, education and enforcement werF
included to the extent possible. item-3-k-
ORA/Council
July 15, 2003
Ite
omm ttee
6/24/03
PWA-Transportation Services Division Page 2 of 4
Citywide Pedestrian Safety Program
KEY ISSUES AND IMPACTS
Pedestrian safety continues to be a high priority for the City, its residents, and schools. The
Public Works Agency identifies and implements projects that enhance pedestrian safety within
the City right-of-way. The projects identified in this Program will address specific pedestrian
safety issues at specific locations. The mobile speed limit trailers will address speeding in
residential neighborhoods and around schools.
The following is a list of the proposed projects and the justification for their selection:
Telegraph Avenue/401h Street-Add Protected Left-Tum Signal Phase
There were four reported auto-pedestrian accidents at this intersection in the past five years,
which is the highest in Council District 1. Adding a protected left-turn phase for the autos will
eliminate an auto-pedestrian conflict (the left turns will no longer be permitted to go when
pedestrians are crossing) that is often a contributing factor to pedestrian accidents. This
intersection serves a high volume of pedestrians because it is in a busy commercial area and
close to a BART Station.
Broadway/12 1h Street-Add Protected Left-Turn Signal Phase
There were four reported auto-pedestrian accidents at this intersection in the past five years,
which is one of the highest in both Council Districts 2 and 3. Adding a protected left-tum
phase for the autos will eliminate an auto-pedestrian conflict (the left turns will no longer be
permitted to go when pedestrians are crossing) that is often a contributing factor to pedestrian
accidents. This intersection serves a high volume of pedestrians because it is in the middle of
Downtown. In the past year, several complaints regarding pedestrian safety at this intersection
have been received by TSD and the Mayor's Office (Oakland Assistance Center).
Carson Street/Elinora Avenue-Construct Raised Median
Residents in this residential neighborhood and the Police Department have repeatedly requested
specific improvements to eliminate "donuts" at this intersection. The "Botts' Dots" that TSD
recently installed have been unsuccessful in eliminating "donuts". The residents want a traffic
island and have submitted a petition for it. After studying the intersection closely, TSD is
recommending the installation of a raised median on Carson Street at Elinora Avenue that will
physically deter "donuts".
Foothill Boulevard/401h Avenue-Install Traffic Si=al
There were eleven reported accidents at this intersection in the past five years. This
intersection is one of the highest ranked intersections in the City that need a traffic signal but
have not been scheduled for funding. This intersection is heavily used by students from
Jefferson Elementary School, which is located just three blocks to the north. Many students
who live south of Foothill Boulevard cross this major street everyday. The Police Department
has indicated that the Adult Crossing Guard at this intersection may be removed due to budget
cuts, and that a traffic signal is needed there to help students cross Foothill Boulevard.
PWA-Transportation Services Division Page 3 of 4
Citywide Pedestrian Safety Program
Seminary Avenue/Foothill Boulevard-Add Protected Left-Tum Signal Phase
There were five reported auto-pedestrian accidents at this intersection in the past five years,
which is the most in Council District 6. Adding a protected left-tum phase for the autos will
eliminate an auto-pedestrian conflict (the left turns will no longer be permitted to go when
pedestrians are crossing) that is often a contributing factor to pedestrian accidents. This
intersection serves a high volume of pedestrians because it is in a busy commercial area. The
area is currently in one of the Community and Economic Development Agency's
Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization areas and is included in the proposed Central City
East Redevelopment Area.
9g1h Avenue/D Street-Install Traffic Simal
There were five reported auto-pedestrian accidents at this intersection in the past five years,
which is the second most for non-signalized intersections in the entire City. Many school-age
pedestrians currently cross 98'h Avenue, which carries more than 20,000 vehicles a day, at D
Street without the protection of a traffic signal. Installing one there will significantly reduce
pedestrian accidents. This intersection is in Council District 7.
Mobile Speed Limit Trailers
These trailers will be placed on the roadside and display the speed limit and the radar-detected
speeds of approaching vehicles. They can be moved from location to location. A list of
priority locations, many near schools, will be developed. The priority locations will be served
on a rotational basis. The Police Department supports this program and has committed
adequate staffing to deploy the trailers.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: The Progam will provide economic benefits to the City by providing jobs and
infrastructural improvements.
Environmental: The Program will improve pedestrian safety and encourage wamng which,
in turn, reduces air pollution, noise pollution, and gas consumption. Also, the proposed
electrical conduit replacements will be high-density polyethylene (HDP) which is
environmental friendly.
Social Equity: This Program will help seniors, persons with disabilities, and school-age
children cross the street safer. Slower vehicles will improve the livability of residential
neighborhoods.
DISABILITY AND SENIOR CITIZEN ACCESS
The traffic signal improvements in the Program will benefit disabled and senior citizens. The
new signal installations will include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant
wheelchair ramps; audio, tactile, and visual signals; and other equipments designed to serve
disabled and senior citizens.
PWA-Transportation Services Division Page 4 of 4
Cirywide Pedestrian Safety Program
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Accept this report and recommendation on the proposed projects for the Fiscal Year 2001-2003
Citywide Pedestrian Safety Program.
Respectfully submitted,
Director, Public Cy
Reviewed by:
Raul Godinez H, P.E.
Assistant Director, Public Works Agency
Prepared by:
Amit Kothari, P.E.
Transportation Services Manager
APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO
THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
O@&ICE OF TPE CITY NLA$AGER
Item 3(c
ORA/Council
July 15, 2003
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