CITY OF BATAVIA

DATE:

TO:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

October 19, 2017

Committee of the Whole-CS

Rahat Bari, City Engineer

Batavia Ave. Pedestrian Crosswalk Discussion-Staff

Recommendation

Background

During July 11 COW meeting, Staff presented a few options regarding the Rectangular

Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) that were installed for the Batavia Avenue pedestrian

crossings at Morton St., Union Ave. and McKee St. For your reference, a copy of that

memo is attached to this memo. At the end of discussion on July 11, Committee asked

staff to meet internally and recommend staffs’ preferred option to the Committee. Since

then, staffs from Public Works, Fire, Police, Community Development and City

Administrator have met and discussed the various options.

Discussion

Before we present staff’s recommendation, we would like to revisit the different options

that staff discussed with pros and cons of each option.

Option 1: High-intensity Activated CrossWALK (HAWK) –See Figure 1

Pros:

Red Light Indicates Traffic needs to stop

Provide Yellow light signal for traffic to slow down and eventually stop

Cons:

IDOT currently does not allow HAWKS system on State route. Batavia Ave (IL

31) is currently a State route.

Expensive to install as this will require pedestrian countdown signals

If approved, then it will be 1-2 years before HAWKS are installed due to IDOT

approval process and installation

Option 2 - Enhancement of existing RRFB by installing an overhead mast arm with

additional RRFB and an advanced RRFB. Install lighting to illuminate pedestrian on

crossing (Figure 2)

Pros:

Enhancement to warn drivers in advance

Overhead indication for inside lanes

Page 2 Batavia Ave. Pedestrian Crosswalk Discussion-Staff Recommendation October 19, 2017

STOP bars on pavement indicating traffic to Stop further than the crosswalk so that

inside lanes can see the pedestrianss/bikes crossing

Less Expensive than HAWKS

Can be installed within 3-6 months

Cons:

Need to get approval from IDOT. Staff is optimistic that IDOT will allow this

enhancement.

Option 3: Implementation of road diet to reduce Batavia Avenue from four travel lanes to

two travel lanes.

Pros:

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction

Pedestrians/bikes have to negotiate only one lane in each direction

Traffic may actually go slower through town

Some congestion may be reduced as drivers consciously shift to other arterials

May create additional parking

A wider lane will be safer for trucks and less intimidating for cars

Cons:

Need to get approval from IDOT

Phase 1 Study to be completed to justify Road Direct (expensive)

Increase traffic congestion through Batavia

Side streets (un-signalized) may not be able to turn left into Rt 31, especially during

rush hours

Increases the risk of having T-bone accidents

May not get implemented for 2-3 years due to preliminary engineering and IDOT

approval process

Remove and Replace all pavement markings

Additional Signage will be required

Signal timing at Wilson and Main Street need to be adjusted. Wilson and Main

street will experience more delay

Two lanes in each direction will remain between Wilson and Main

Option 4: Elimination of flashing beacon crossing at all crossings

Pros:

Unmarked crossing hence no liability on the city

Page 3 Batavia Ave. Pedestrian Crosswalk Discussion-Staff Recommendation October 19, 2017

Cons:

Regardless of RRFB removal, resident will be crossing at these intersections

City will be turning back the clock and making it less friendly for residents to

walk/Bike around the city by providing limited options to Cross IL 31

No marked crossing option to cross IL31 south of main street

Option 5: Signalized intersection instead of RRFB

Pros:

1. Safer crossing for pedestrian and Bikes

Cons:

1. Based on past traffic count, traffic signal is not warranted at any of these intersections. Hence IDOT will not approve this request until traffic signal warrants are met.

Recommendation

After discussing all pros and cons for each options, Staffs’ recommends the following for

each intersection. Staffs feel that due to concern from motorists and residents, immediate

enhancement is needed at each of those locations. Due to the low traffic volume, a full

traffic signal may not be warranted at Morton Street and Union Ave in near future however

staff would like to explore the possibility of a traffic signal for McKee once the immediate

enhancements are made. Staff would recommend the committee to review staffs findings

and provide further direction.

Intersection Immediate Improvement Future Improvement

Morton Street and Batavia Ave Option 2 Option 2

Union Ave and Batavia Ave Option 2 Option 2

McKee Street and Batavia Ave Option 2 Option 5

HAWK System Estimated Cost = $250K - $300K Per Installation

Figure 1- Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon aka “HAWK” (High Intensity Activated Crosswalk)

2009 MUTCD Section 4F.3

95

1Blank fordrivers

2Flashing yellow

Steady yellow

3

4Steady

red

Wig-Wag

5

Returnto 1

Standard Two-Way Road

City of Batavia Current Installation

Overhead Two-Way Road

Figure 2 (Staff Recommendation)

One explanation of higher crash rate at

marked crosswalks: multiple-threat crash

1st car stops too close, masks visibility for driver in 2nd lane

Solution: advance stop bar (comes later…)

18

Illumination – Essential For Any Crossing

Marked crosswalk?

Light it

Up to 50% of

pedestrian crashes

occur at night

42

Lighting reduces the odds of pedestrian fatalities:

by 42% at midblock locations

by 54% at intersections

Corvallis OR

Illumination!

43

Ped shows up well in well-lit crosswalk

44

Rectangular Rapid Flash LED Beacon

MUTCD Interim approval July 2008

Must submit a written request to the FHWA http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interim_approval/ia11/fhwamemo.htm

Studies indicate motorist yield rates

increased from about 20% to 80%

Beacon is yellow, rectangular, and has a

rapid “wig-wag” flash

Beacon located between the warning sign

and the arrow plaque

Must be pedestrian activated (pushbutton

or passive)

Coconut Grove FL52

Advance Stop or Yield Line:

Reduces Multiple-threat Crashes55

Multiple Threat Crash Problem

1st car stops to let pedestrian cross, blocking sight lines

2nd car doesn’t stop, hits pedestrian at high speed

56

Multiple Threat Crash Solution

Advance stop or yield line

1st car stops further back, opening up sight lines

2nd car can be seen by pedestrian

57

• Advance yield line (shark’s teeth) & sign

• Consider double white lines for no passing

Milwaukee WI

2009 MUTCD Section 3B.16 and Figure 3B-17

59

CITY OF BATAVIA

DATE: July 7, 2017

TO: Committee of the Whole - CS

FROM: Gary Holm

SUBJECT: Batavia Ave. Pedestrian Crosswalk Discussion

It has been almost two years since rapid flashing beacons were installed for the Batavia Avenue

pedestrian crossings at Morton St., Union Ave. and McKee St.

Generally speaking, the installation of flashing beacons at Morton and Union seems to have

improved driver and pedestrian awareness; However, even though there have been no significant

incidents reported at these intersections, Staff continues to have concerns related to potential

visibility conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles traveling in the same direction in the inside

and outside lanes. Staff is concerned about the possibility of a vehicle in the outside lane

blocking the view of pedestrians from the vehicle traveling in the inside lane. This could result

in a vehicle/pedestrian accident.

The McKee Street crossing continues to concern Staff. The installation of flashing beacons at

this crossing does not appear to have improved driver awareness or the overall safety of the

crossing. Over the past two years there have been at least three minor accidents and several near

misses reported. City Staff and numerous members of the general public have reported instances

of unsafe behavior by both pedestrians and vehicles. Also, Staff has similar concerns related to

potential vehicle/pedestrian visibility conflicts at this crossing.

As you are aware, over the past two years City Council and Staff have continued to have

discussions related to the Batavia Ave. pedestrian crossings. Several ideas/concepts/options

have been discussed to help further promote safe pedestrian crossings. Staff would like to re-

visit some of the potential options during our upcoming discussion at the July 11 COW meeting.

Specifically, we would like to discuss the pros/cons and obstacles that the City might face when

implementing one or more of the following:

- Installation of a High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) System in lieu of rapid

flashing beacons at each of the three previously mentioned intersections. Staff will

present a brief video which describes and shows the function of a HAWK signal system.

- Enhancement of existing rapid flashing beacons to include an overhead mast arm and

advanced signage. Staff will present a brief video which shows a similar installation

from Minnesota.

- Implementation of a road diet to reduce Batavia Avenue from four travel lanes to two.

- Elimination of flashing beacon crossing at McKee Street (encourage all pedestrians to

cross at Wilson St.

- Elimination of all Batavia Ave. flashing beacon crossings.

- Other options?

We feel it is important to note that the Illinois Department of Transportation, District 1 is on

record as opposing installation of the HAWK system. They have also been reluctant to grant

approval for any enhancements to the flashing beacons. IDOT has also stated that they would

oppose a road diet in Batavia due to projected traffic volumes. Staff feels that it may be

necessary for you, as the City’s elected officials, to reach out to our State officials in order to

potentially get IDOT to consider any of the options. Previous efforts made at the Staff level to

attempt to change IDOT’s positions on these matters have not been successful.