making pedestrian crossings at intersections safer on Route 70

[Bob Shinn]

Our Safer Route 70 Report contained many recommendations for improving
pedestrian safety that have been ignored for too long. We need better
marked intersections, more pedestrian crossing time, advanced stop
lines, and a better designed intersection at Georgia, Rt. 70 and
Edison, including the elimination of left turns onto Georgia and
Edison from Route 70.

We should probably have a meeting to discuss which recommendations to
stress. A one way street on Edison could eliminate left turn
conflicts, but would reduce neighborhood accessibility. We consider
carefully the views of the Erlton Civic Association on one-way
streets.

Page 9 of a report referenced below and accessible at the following
internet website describes the countermeasures available to reduce
conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles making left turns. All
should be considered and probably adopted by NJDOT for the Route 70/
Georgia intersection.

http://www.walkinginfo.org/pedsafe/downloads/pedsafe_ch3.pdf

The most important change should be an exclusive pedestrian phase
which is preferable to an leading pedestrian intervisl (LPI) discussed
below

There are several types of signal timing for pedestrian signals,
including concurrent, exclusive, “leading pedestrian interval” (LPI),
and all-red interval. In general, shorter cycle lengths and longer
walk intervals provide better service to pedestrians and encourage
better signal compliance. For optimal pedestrian service, fixed-time
signal operation usually works best. Pedestrian pushbuttons may be
installed at locations where pedestrians are expected intermittently.
Quick response to the pushbutton or feedback to the pedestrian should
be programmed into the system. When used, pushbuttons should be well-
signed and within reach and operable from a flat surface for
pedestrians in wheelchairs and with visual disabilities. They should
be conveniently placed in the area where pedestrians wait to cross.
Section 4E.09 within the MUTCD provides detailed guidance for the
placement of push buttons to ensure accessibility.1

In addition to concurrent pedestrian signal timing (where motorists
may turn left or right across pedestrians’ paths after yielding to
pedestrians), exclusive pedestrian intervals (see Traffic Signal
Enhancements) stop traffic in all directions. Exclusive pedestrian
timing has been shown to reduce pedestrian crashes by 50 percent in
some downtown locations with heavy pedestrian volumes and low vehicle
speeds and volumes.2 With concurrent signals, pedestrians usually have
more crossing opportunities and have to wait less. Unless a system is
willing to take more time from vehicular phases, pedestrians will
often have to wait a long time for an exclusive signal. This is not
very pedestrian-friendly, and many pedestrians will simply choose to
ignore the signal and cross if and when there is a gap in traffic,
negating the potential safety benefits of the exclusive signal.3
Exclusive pedestrian phases do introduce a problem for pedestrians
with visual impairments, as the audible cues associated with surging
parallel traffic streams are no longer present, which makes it
difficult to know when to begin crossing.

A simple, useful change is the LPI. An LPI gives pedestrians an
advance walk signal before the motorists get a green light, giving the
pedestrian several seconds to start in the crosswalk where there is a
concurrent signal. This makes pedestrians more visible to motorists
and motorists more likely to yield to them. This advance crossing
phase approach has been used successfully in several places, such as
New York City, for two decades and studies have demonstrated reduced
conflicts for pedestrians.4 The advance pedestrian phase is
particularly effective where there is a two-lane turning movement. To
be useful to pedestrians with vision impairments, an LPI needs to be
accompanied by an audible signal to indicate the WALK interval.

There are some situations where an exclusive pedestrian phase may be
preferable to an LPI. Exclusive phases are desirable where there are
high-volume turning movements that conflict with the pedestrians
crossing.

We need to press our recommendations so we don't continue to have
these terrible pedestrian accidents.