Title
7TH AVENUE REQUEST TO LOWER POSTED SPEED AND INSTALL PEDESTRIAN WARNING BEACONS
COUNCIL INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Improve transportation systems
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Staff has received safety complaints regarding 7th Avenue between Tennant Way and Hudson Street. The two main complaints are speeding and the assertion that the posted speed is too high for the conditions, and that vehicles do not stop for pedestrians waiting to cross 7th Avenue. A pedestrian warning beacon such as the rapid rectangular flashing beacon (RRFB) was requested to improve safety for pedestrians crossing 7th Avenue.
Staff has evaluated the requests and summarized our findings in a staff report that evaluated crash history, vehicle speeds, and traffic volume. Staff has determine that the crash history warrants taking action on 7th Avenue. There are two locations in the City that have higher crash rates than this stretch of 7th Avenue: Ocean Beach Highway between Cowlitz Way and 15th Avenue, and the Civic Circle. To address the crash rates, staff has identified countermeasures to improve site distance for side street traffic and pedestrians, and increase channelization and visual clues for drivers.
Staff recommends trying countermeasures and evaluating if the countermeasures address the crash rates and improve crossing opportunities for pedestrian. Staff does not recommend lowering the speed limit as the first course of action until countermeasures have been put into place and evaluated. Most drivers maintain a speed that is reasonable and prudent. If the speed is lowered, almost 50 percent of the drivers currently using 7th Avenue may violate the speed limit because most drivers maintain their speed based on the driving environment, more so than by the posted speed limit. Staff recommends installing a RRFB beacon at the Delaware Street pedestrian crossing.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
Constructing curb extensions and a pedestrian warning beacon will cost...
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