US Hwy. 64/264 Pedestrian Crossing at the Little Bridge - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Town of Nags Head

US Hwy. 64/264 Pedestrian Crossing at the “Little Bridge”

Alternatives Analysis

Public Meeting

Prepared by:

Department of Public Works

August 8, 2013

NC Pedestrian Laws

• Where traffic-control signals

are not in place or in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at or near an intersection… (NCGS 20- 173a)

• Whenever any vehicle is

stopped at a crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross, the driver

• f any other vehicle

approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle. (NCGS 20-173b)

Pedestrian Laws (Cont’d)

• Crosswalk: Any portion of

a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings

• n the surface. (1992 Uniform

Vehicle Code)

• Roadway: That portion of

a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder…. (NCGS 20-4.01(38))

Pedestrian Safety

A Shared Responsibility

PEDESTRIANS

• Do not assume drivers can or will
• stop. It is the responsibility of the

pedestrian to ensure that it is safe to proceed across the roadway.

• Do not assume a driver has seen
• you. Establish eye contact with the

driver before entering a crosswalk.

• Watch all lanes you must cross.

Even though one vehicle has stopped, vehicles may pass in another lane or in an opposite direction.

• Cross the street within the marked

lines of the crosswalk. Your full attention should be directed to

• ncoming traffic.

DRIVERS

• Striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk

is extremely difficult to defend & can lead to severe liability consequences.

• Be attentive when traveling through
• crosswalks. Be prepared to stop.
• Do not overtake and pass other

vehicles stopped for pedestrians on your side of the roadway.

• Be aware that some pedestrians

may challenge you to stop since they have the right-of-way in the

• crosswalk. Failure to yield to a

pedestrian within a marked crosswalk is a violation of state law.

BE ALERT! Use good judgment. Be aware of your surroundings.

Pedestrian Signage

• (1) In-street Pedestrian Crossing sign is

allowed per crosswalk location;

• The sign should be placed at the roadway

centerline adjacent to the crosswalk, not in the crosswalk ;

• If a center island is provided , the sign

should be placed on the island;

• The sign should look like this
• For signs placed in the roadway, the sign

support shall comply with the breakaway requirements of the latest edition of AASHTO’s “Specification for Structural Supports for Highways Signs, Luminaries, and Traffic Signals.”

• The sign may be used seasonably to prevent

damage, and may be removed at night if the pedestrian activity at night is minimal.

Little Bridge Pedestrian Crossing

Pirates Cove Whalebone Junction Little Bridge Washington Baum Bridge

Fin n Feather Motel Lone Cedar Restaurant Little Bridge 860’ 475’

Little Bridge Access Parking Lot

• Ex. Crosswalk

Ex. Refuge Island AADT=17,000

The Predicament

• Lack of visibility of Refuge Island
• The vertical crest in the “Little

Bridge” and the horizontal curve transition for the Washington Baum bridge create limited sight distance.

• Motorists have few visual cues to

the presence of the pedestrian crossing.

• When pedestrians are in the

crosswalk, one lane of traffic will stop while the other lane of traffic continues on.

• The posted speed limit is 50 mph

with actual speeds averaging between 55-60 mph.

• Minimal visibility at night.
• Uncertainty of motorists when to

yield for pedestrians.

Evaluation Criteria

• 1. Rated from safest

solution to least effective.

• 2. Cost for Implementation.
• 3. Conformance to NCDOT,

AASHTO, MUTCD, & FHWA Standards and regulations.

• 4. Ease of Implementation.
• 5. Existing Condition Review

#1 Overpass/Underpass

Benefits

• Provides for complete

separation of pedestrians from vehicles

• Traffic Flow Improvements

Barriers

• Cost range $500k to $2M
• Overpass Siting- offset 75’

west of current location

• Pedestrians may take

more direct route

• Underpass-inadequate

vertical clearance

• Conflicts w/ex. utilities
• ADA Accessibility

Photos courtesy of GatorBridge.

#2 Eliminate Access to North Side of Bridge

Benefits

• Removal of

Pedestrian/Vehicle conflicts

• Economical to

implement

Barriers

• Removal of a long-

standing recreational access

• “where there is a will

there is a way”

#3 Traffic Signal Installation

Benefits

• Improved crossing

facilities

• Reduce pedestrian/

vehicle conflicts

Barriers

• Estimated Cost:

$100,000

• Inadequate pedestrian

crossings to satisfy MUTCD warrant

• Siting: offset 140’ west
• f current crosswalk
• Pedestrians may bypass

to take more direct route

#4 Pedestrian Warning Signal Installation

Benefits

• Provides additional

visual cues for motorists

• Moderately Effective to

implement: $15K-$20k

Barriers

• Estimated to be

between 25%-40% effective

• Are visual cues adequate

at the existing vehicle speeds

• May require other

treatments such as yield bars

#5 Reduce Speed Limit

Benefits

• Decreases stopping sight

distance for motorists

• Cost Effective to

implement

• Can reduce severity of

pedestrian crashes

Barriers

• Effectiveness: studies

have NOT concluded that speed limit is not significantly related to crash frequency

• Decreased level of

service - traffic flow

#6 Pavement Markings/Crosswalk Enhancements

Benefits

• Differentiate from Visual

Clutter

• Cost Effective to

implement: $3k to $20k

• Alert motorists to

hazards ahead

Barriers

• Some treatments are

not suitable for higher speeds of traffic

• May create an additional

hazard

• May have to be paired

with other measures

#7 Pedestrian/Driver Education

Benefits

• Increases Pedestrian

Awareness & Behavior

• Provide information to

motorists of changing conditions

• Ease of Implementation

Barriers

• Can require a long-term

commitment for effectiveness

• Keep it interesting for

public

Added Streetlight Diagonal Hatch Markings Hi-Vis Delineators

Next

Steps

Questions ?