Success Story #2

how a street obstruction trained drivers to see pedestrians on Water Street

by: Betty Rae Matthews

    If you’ve ever tried crossing the street at the intersection of Water Street and Fourth Avenue, it can feel a bit like Frogger. Although the area is pedestrian heavy, it is not uncommon for cars and trucks to fly through the lanes above the speed limit. Even at legal speeds, many cars barely pause at the sight of a pedestrian. So Lisa Aspenson, co-owner of Mona Lisa’s and member of the Water Street Business Improvement District, approached City Transportation Engineer Ross Spitz to get a Yield to Pedestrian sign installed. After bringing this to the attention of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC), signs were installed in the middle of the street that spring, ensuring that vehicles could not miss them. The intersection was observed before the installation, immediately after the signs were put up, and again three months later. The results were significant (see breakout box).

    “I believe the increase in yielding occurred for a couple of reasons,” said Spitz. “The first is that the street that was selected has one lane of traffic in each direction with a center left turn lane. Studies have shown a pretty good compliance with the sign if it is used in areas that have one lane of traffic in each direction.” Spitz also noted that pedestrians seemed more assertive about using the crosswalk when the signs were present.

    According to Public Works Director Brian Amundson, the signs needed to be taken down during the winter because of snowplows, but they will be reappearing soon. Nonetheless, he added, “You’ll see better yielding at that crosswalk than probably anywhere in the city right now.”