ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: May 5, 2000
Author/Local: P. Stary/6437
RTS No. 01091

CC File No.: 5702

T&T: June 13, 2000

TO:	Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Raised School Crosswalk - Laurel at 24th

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT the raised crosswalk constructed on a trial basis on Laurel Street at 24th Avenue be permanently retained.

B. THAT raised crosswalks be added to the tool kit of traffic calming measures used in the City of Vancouver where warranted.

COUNCIL POLICY

On May 27th, 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan that emphasizes the need to provide more comfortable pedestrian environments, to mitigate the effects of traffic on local neighbourhood streets and to expand the City’s traffic calming program to include a greater range of measures.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to review the operation of the raised school crosswalk on Laurel Street at 24th Avenue, to recommend its permanent retention and to recommend adding raised crosswalks to the City’s tool kit of traffic calming measures.

BACKGROUND

Raised crosswalks are in use in other communities in British Columbia as well as in other parts of North America. The Transportation Association of Canada has recently published guidelines for the use of this device.

The purpose of raised crosswalks is to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian visibility, thereby reducing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. Raised crosswalks function similarly to speed humps in encouraging reduced vehicle speeds. Advance warning signs and special pavement markings emphasize the presence of the raised crosswalk to drivers.

DISCUSSION

On July 6, 1999, City Council approved the construction of a raised crosswalk across Laurel Street at 24th Avenue on a trial basis. In early September, 1999, the raised crosswalk was built at the site of an existing school crosswalk that serves the students of Emily Carr Elementary School. The crosswalk is patrolled by student crossing guards under the guidance of a teacher sponsor and officers of the Police School Safety Patrol.

This location was chosen because crossing guards had reported some speeding and disregard of pedestrians at this crosswalk. Residents of the area had also complained of traffic shortcutting and speeding on Laurel Street, a local residential street.

Traffic speeds and volumes were monitored before and after installation of the raised crosswalk. The average speed of vehicles on Laurel Street in the block adjacent to the raised crosswalk dropped by 11%. The eighty-fifth percentile speed (the speed at or below which eighty-five percent of vehicles are travelling) dropped by 12%. There was no significant change in the volume of vehicles travelling on Laurel Street, indicating that the raised crosswalk did not cause traffic to divert to other streets.

A survey was delivered to all residents living within one block in each direction from the site of the raised crosswalk. Sixteen of the thirty surveys delivered were returned, a response rate of 53%, which is high for this type of survey. All respondents supported retaining the raised crosswalk. The Principal of Emily Carr School and the Police School Safety Patrol officers also support retaining the raised crosswalk.

Several respondents commented that the signs and markings for the raised crosswalk shouldbe made more visible. One person wrote “Although this crosswalk surprises many drivers, I believe it to be an excellent traffic calmer. I have experimented and driven over this crosswalk at 30 km/h (the posted speed limit) without discomfort.”

The markings on the ramps of the raised crosswalk have partially worn away since they were installed. Since this was a trial installation, standard paint had been used. The crosswalk will be marked using long-lasting thermoplastic if it is decided to retain it permanently. The location of the advance warning signs will also be checked to see if they can be positioned more prominently.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Should the raised crosswalk become permanent it will require maintenance in the form of new road markings every two or three years, signs replaced approximately every seven years and asphalt repair as needed. The estimated annual maintenance cost for the proposed raised crosswalk is $120. On July 6, 1999, Council approved the recommendation “THAT $120 for the maintenance of the trial raised crosswalk be approved as an increase to the annual Operating Budget, without offset, should the raised crosswalk become permanent.”

CONCLUSIONS

The raised crosswalk on Laurel Street at 24th Avenue has helped to address concerns about speeding at this patrolled school crosswalk, and is supported by the Police, the Emily Carr School administration and local residents. Given the success of this pilot project, it is recommended that this raised crosswalk be made permanent and that raised crosswalks be added to the City’s tool kit of traffic calming devices, to be used where warranted.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver