North Decatur Road Safety Audit September 2013 Leah Yngve, Emory student In partnership with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
Outline • Roadway Safety Audit • North Decatur Road* – Site Characteristics – Recommendations
• Conclusions *Nearby Clifton Road, with heavy foot, car, bus, and bike traffic, merits a separate safety review. Numerous studies of Clifton have been conducted, and safe access to Clifton is key to improving N. Decatur, as it is part of the same trip for most roadway users.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Road Safety Audit • “A formal study performed to assess the safety of an existing or proposed road” – Federal Highway Administration • 2-day process in late July including:
N. Decatur Road from Clifton to Church • 2.2 miles, 4 lanes wide, 35 mph speed limit • Originally constructed as 2 lane road • Connects to City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, Decatur, CDC, Emory University, Emory Healthcare, Veterans Hospital, DeKalb Medical, neighborhoods, and retail
North Decatur Road Clifton
Church
Traffic Volumes 16,200
AM: 25 PM: 35
21,153
AM: 39 PM: 50 AM: 10 PM: 18*
2012: 2-hour Bike Counts *2013: 2-hour Bike counts, summer GDOT 2010-2012 Average Daily Traffic (24 hours, motorized vehicles) N. Decatur: 2010: 19,680; 2011: 19,660; 2012: 24,010. DeKalb County 2013 ADT: 29,789
17,620
Speeds Westbound car speeds for a 10-minute interval at N. Decatur and Wendan Dr.
Number of cars driving over 40mph at two locations over 10-minute intervals
Sidewalks Sidewalks • South sidewalk ends • Overgrown vegetation • Non-existent or non-ADA compliant ramps
N. Decatur and Wendan Dr.
N. Decatur and Haygood Dr.
All Crashes, 2009-2011
Bike Crashes N. Decatur bicycle crashes by year; 2003-2013*
Frequency of N. Decatur bicycle crashes during commute hours; 2003-2013*
*Georgia Department of Transportation; Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group at the University of Georgia College of Public Health
Bike Crashes N. Decatur bicycle crash characteristics; 2003-2013*
*Georgia Department of Transportation; Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group at the University of Georgia College of Public Health
Bike Crashes N. Decatur Crash Types; 2003-2013*
*Georgia Department of Transportation; Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group at the University of Georgia College of Public Health
Safety Concerns Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Motorized Vehicles
•
• •
• • • • •
Large speed differential between cars people, with no buffer Few crosswalks Limited sidewalks Line-of-sight/visibility poor No bike facilities Lots of curb cuts
•
High speeds Turning onto/off of neighborhood streets from N. Decatur Commercial/mail vehicles lack protection when stopping
“I’m so tired of almost getting rear-ended every time I try to turn off of N. Decatur onto my street” “I live one street off N. Decatur and turn on my signal almost back at Landover and just pray all the way to Superior that I am not rear-ended…” -decaturmetro.com
Summary of Recommendations • Pedestrian safety: improve pedestrian crossing by restriping / adding high visibility crossings, install accessible ramps, restripe crosswalks, repair broken sidewalks, widen sidewalks • Bicycle facilities needed: conduct traffic study to weigh options, with special attention to possible Complete Street Conversion (aka “Road Diet”) • Motorist / overall: resurface/repair pavement, intersection improvements • Reduce speeds to make turning movements (for cars) and crossings (for pedestrians) less risky
Short Term Recommendations •Walking environment – Restripe crosswalks and fix broken sidewalks – Remove overgrown vegetation – county when possible. Include notice to residents in water bills? – Install ADA compliant ramps
•Enforce speed limits – Add radar speed limit signs to reduce speeding
Intersection Recommendations N. Decatur Road / Medlock / Scott
• Add 3 crosswalks • Add 3 missing pedestrian phases • Add time to Medlock signal • ADA ramps to sidewalks • Upgrade pedestrian signal heads • Driveway management • Reduce radius for turn from Scott onto Medlock • Further study the intersection for improvements
Intersection Recommendations
Pedestrian Recommendations 1. Install sidewalk on south side where missing 2. Repair sidewalks where broken or blocked by poles, etc. Install accessible (ADA) ramps and restripe crosswalks. 3. Improve crossing safety – especially at bus stop locations – w/signalized crosswalks • •
Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons or similar, and refuge islands Suggested locations: Clairmont Circle, Wendan Dr., Ferndale Dr.
N. Decatur west of Landover Dr. today
South sidewalk/pedestrian bridge, bike lane - recommended improvements
Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon
from Bloomington.in.gov
Adds safety when combined with reduction in number of lanes, refuge islands, and/or medians
Bicycle/Complete Street Recommendations Goal: to create safe, connected, and accessible bicycle route connecting neighborhoods with Emory/CDC area. (Options listed from simplest to most complex.)
1. Complete Streets Conversion - from four lanes to three, creating center turn lane and bike lanes 2. Add multi-use (bike/ped) trail 3. Widen street to create boulevard with room for all More detail in following slides
Option 1: Complete Streets Conversion within existing Right of Way, from four lanes to three
• Two-way center turn lane to improve traffic flow & reduce delays (turn lanes provide space for cars waiting to turn, and could include signalized turn signals) • General travel lane in each direction • Median refuge islands for pedestrians
Complete Streets Conversion: before
• Bikeways: options include – bike lanes, both sides of street – protected two-way bike lane a.k.a. cycle track, one side Complete Streets Conversion: after
Pros/Cons Option 1, Complete Streets Conversion Pros
Cons
Fewer lanes to cross makes pedestrians safer
Fewer general travel lanes for commuters
Reduces excessive speeds, improving overall safety
Multiple jurisdictions would require coordination
Turn lanes make traffic flow smoother
Complete Streets Conversion: before
No need to acquire more space (ROW) Yards become more usable Complete Streets Conversion: after
Option 2: Add multi-use (bike/ped) trail along N. Decatur Road Minimum five foot buffer from street for safety Would require additional right of way Work with residents to get easements; opportunity to collaborate with other land owners, such as Emory University
Rendering of Philadelphia’s 58 th Street Greenway
Pros/Cons Option 2: Multi-use Trail Pros
Cons
Provides more greater comfort for users
More expensive than on-street bike lanes
Increase property values and quality of life
Would require neighbor easements to use yards
Especially attractive to families, children, and seniors
Potential conflicts of pedestrians/ bicyclists with turning cars can lead to crashes
Option 3: Boulevard / Road Widening Create a Complete Street Boulevard with room for all modes by widening existing road Add bike lanes, median/refuge islands, signalized crosswalks, and sidewalks, while keeping 4 travel lanes
Minnesota: Complete Streets Boulevard example
Pros/Cons Option 3: Boulevard/Road Widening Pros
Cons
Provides space for all Most expensive modes option Improved crossings make pedestrians safer
May reduce speeds
Would take longest to implement due to need to acquire additional right of way May not reduce speeds by as much as 4/3 Conversion
Minnesota: Complete Streets Boulevard
Summary: pros/cons bicycle infrastructure options Option
Relative Cost
Traffic flow impact
Requires additional right of way
Relative time frame
Add property value
Enhance Safety
1. Complete Street Conversion
Low
May improve*
No
Mid-term Yes
Yes for all
2. Multi-use trail
Mid
None
Yes
Mid-term Yes
Yes for walk/bike
3. Boulevard/Road Widening
High
Yes
Longterm
Yes for all
•Depending on Average Daily Traffic. Under 20,000, FHWA says to consider. •Any solution should strive for cohesive user experience throughout length of corridor.
Specific Recommendations: Clairmont & Webster Goal: to reduce delays – and traffic violations that put pedestrians and cyclists at risk – at intersection
1.
2.
1. Vehicles heading east on N Decatur, turning north onto Clairmont alternate route left on Webster, right on Clairmont 2. Vehicles heading south on Clairmont, turning east onto N Decatur alternate route left onto Webster, left on N Decatur Would require additional study, and likely a traffic signal at Webster
Conclusions • N. Decatur currently poses safety hazards for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles – Finding a solution to improve safety requires balancing neighborhood with commuter needs and interests
• Clifton Road presents similar hazards and merits attention • Recommended next steps – Implement short term improvements on N. Decatur – Traffic study to examine potential options for Complete Streets Conversion – Community conversations to determine priorities
• Work directly with agencies and stakeholders to identify and pursue funding sources for improvements
Acknowledgements • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Federal Highway Administration Emory Rollins School of Public Health Bike Emory Georgia Department of Transportation DeKalb County City of Decatur Atlanta Regional Commission Emory Center for Injury Control Ian Samson and Stephen Graff -- design work Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group at the University of Georgia College of Public Health Rise-n-Dine and Seven Hens Medlock Area Neighborhood Association Clairmont Heights Civic Association
Contact us: info@atlantabike.org www.atlantabike.org (404) 881-1112