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Problem

The City of Bellevue, Washington identified lack of sidewalks, excessive vehicle speeds in school zones and vehicles parked too close to crosswalks as three primary problems that reduce safety on city streets for children walking to and from school.

Background

Improving safety for child bicyclists and pedestrian is just one of many issues addressed by Bellevue’s long standing bicycle and pedestrian program. Since, the early 1980’s the City has been an advocate for planning and development of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, including education programs promoting traffic safety. To address safety issues for kids walking and biking to school the City formed a partnership with residents, school administrators and PTSA representatives to focus on these issues. Two elementary schools—Somerset and Bennett Elementary—were chosen for a demonstration project, referred to as the School Crosswalk Enhancement Project.

At both of these schools the majority of students live within walking distance. As a result, the crosswalks adjacent to the schools are heavily used. Both locations have a history of motorists speeding and vehicles parking too close to the crosswalk areas, creating an unsafe situation for pedestrians, primarily children. Target enforcement by police helped, but there was an ongoing concern that physical changes to the roadway environment were needed.

Solution

After review of the roadway conditions and discussions with stakeholders, a plan was developed. This plan included the installation of a raised crosswalk to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian visibility. The raised crosswalk is a 3-inch high (76 mm), 22-foot long (6.7 meter), in the direction of travel, asphalt speed hump with crosswalk markings. Standard crosswalk signs are located at the raised crosswalk, but the advanced warning sign reads “Raised Crosswalk Ahead” with a “15 MPH” advisory speed sign. There are also “Bump” pavement markings on both sides of the crosswalk, notifying drivers that the roadway is raised.

Curb extensions were also included in the plan to serve two purposes. First, the curb extensions shorten pedestrian crossing distance. Second, they eliminate parking on and near the crosswalk, improving sight distance for pedestrians, especially children. The curb extensions narrow the roadway by bumping the curb into the parking lane. These were built in concrete and finished with a one-foot (.3 m.) scoring pattern for aesthetics. Drainage included a 3-inch (76 mm) PVC drainpipe installed to have water flow through the curb extension at the original curb line. In addition to the raised crosswalk and curb extensions, bollards were installed in the curb extension to keep young pedestrians from huddling around the crosswalk.

In addition to the physical changes made to the roadway environment, an education campaign was launched at Somerset Elementary School. A safety day was planned, which included staff from the City’s Transportation and Police Departments. This effort included working with the school safety patrol and parents. Together, the children were taught traffic safety basics, such as crossing the street safely. At the time the new crosswalks and bollards were installed, an educational plaque was placed on the bollards, which depicted the City of Bellevue’s pedestrian mascot “PedBee” and safety tips on how to cross the street safely. PedBee also made an appearance on safety day and gave out prizes.

The cost to build the crosswalks was approximately $20,500 with an additional $9,500 spent in project design and public involvement activities. Overall, the average cost for each location was $15,000.

Results

The project was designed and built in three months. Since the installation of the raised crosswalk and curb extensions, speed studies have been conducted and compared to before speeds at one of the locations. The roadway’s posted speed limit is 25 mph (40 kph) with a 20 mph (32 kph) limit when children are present. During the hours before and after school, the 85th percentile speed dropped from 29 to 26 mph (47 to 42 kph). Over a 24-hour period the 85th percentile speed after installation was 28 mph (45 kph). Field observations also confirm that the project successfully eliminated parking near the crosswalk, giving pedestrians increased sight distance and improving their visibility to drivers. Many positive comments were received from parents and school district officials showcasing the overwhelming success of this project.

Evaluation of this project is continuing, however the success to date has resulted in similar installations being designed and constructed at several other elementary schools in Bellevue.

Contact

Karen Gonzalez
Neighborhood Programs Manager
City of Bellevue
301 116th Avenue SE, Suite #150
Bellevue, WA 98005
Office Phone: 425-452-4598
E-mail: kgonzalez@ci.bellevue.wa.us

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