Every morning and afternoon people stream in and out of the Comcast buildings back door into oncoming traffic on Arch St. There should be an 25 foot wide elevated crosswalk installed here.
Rob, are you suggesting that a raised mid-block crosswalk should be installed along Arch Street... or are you suggesting a bridge over Arch street from the comcast building?
I agree that there is a pedestrian issue at this location that requires some attention; however, I must mention that a raised, unsignalized, mid-block crosswalk is not likely warranted (legally speaking) at this location.
Arch Street is only approximately 425' long. In accordance with PennDOT Publication 46, Chapter 11.9.2.2, an unsignalized midblock crosswalk is only permitted if the nearest marked crosswalk is more than 300' away. I would also point out that 300' is a minimum requirement and that midblock crossings are statistically less safe than marked crossings at a signalized intersection. They're only to be installed when truly warranted based upon clearly defined engineering criteria.
Additionally, the idea of raised crosswalks presents drainage, bicycle and maintenance concern (think snow plows, etc.) I haven't researched bus routes or emergency response services routes, but those are also something that always needs to come into consideration in the rare instance that a raised crosswalk is being considered.
As I said, I do agree that there is a pedestrian problem with jaywalking within that block; I travel through there on my bike in the morning and have to dodge at least a dozen pedestrians crossing midblock. Perhaps the solution to the problem involves providing better physical direction to direct pedestrians towards the corners. I would also mention that the condition of the pavement markings ... um... what pavement markings?
There are numerous signing and decorative treatments that could be implemented to provide better pedestrian diversion towards the signalized intersection crossings. Employers can implement staggered start and stop times in the office, an engineering study can be performed to determine if signal retimings are necessary during peak hours to accommodate the volume of pedestrians, etc.
(Additionally, I would mention that the pavement along Arch within this block is some of the worst in the city. It's really unfortunate that so much funding was spent installing new infrastructure to accommodate the Comcast building, yet the final step was never taken to mill and overlay the roadway.)
Thanks Jeremy - you've provided great feedback and information. I'm a biker and agree that stretch of Arch is terrible. I guess I am not wedded to "raised" sidewalks as much as I'd like to see obvious crosswalk mid block. Security guards on the scene have told me that there is a near miss almost everyday because of the parked cars. If we remove two spaces on the south side of the street there would be clearer visibility.
I don't think raised crosswalks present particular problems to bicycles. They have been widely praised in Cambridge, MA (a city with much more snow than Philadelphia), where they have greatly increased pedestrian safety. Contact the city of Cambridge for more information and extensive data about this.
4 评论s
Jeremy Chrzan, P.E. (客人)
Rob, are you suggesting that a raised mid-block crosswalk should be installed along Arch Street... or are you suggesting a bridge over Arch street from the comcast building?
I agree that there is a pedestrian issue at this location that requires some attention; however, I must mention that a raised, unsignalized, mid-block crosswalk is not likely warranted (legally speaking) at this location.
Arch Street is only approximately 425' long. In accordance with PennDOT Publication 46, Chapter 11.9.2.2, an unsignalized midblock crosswalk is only permitted if the nearest marked crosswalk is more than 300' away. I would also point out that 300' is a minimum requirement and that midblock crossings are statistically less safe than marked crossings at a signalized intersection. They're only to be installed when truly warranted based upon clearly defined engineering criteria.
Additionally, the idea of raised crosswalks presents drainage, bicycle and maintenance concern (think snow plows, etc.) I haven't researched bus routes or emergency response services routes, but those are also something that always needs to come into consideration in the rare instance that a raised crosswalk is being considered.
As I said, I do agree that there is a pedestrian problem with jaywalking within that block; I travel through there on my bike in the morning and have to dodge at least a dozen pedestrians crossing midblock. Perhaps the solution to the problem involves providing better physical direction to direct pedestrians towards the corners. I would also mention that the condition of the pavement markings ... um... what pavement markings?
There are numerous signing and decorative treatments that could be implemented to provide better pedestrian diversion towards the signalized intersection crossings. Employers can implement staggered start and stop times in the office, an engineering study can be performed to determine if signal retimings are necessary during peak hours to accommodate the volume of pedestrians, etc.
(Additionally, I would mention that the pavement along Arch within this block is some of the worst in the city. It's really unfortunate that so much funding was spent installing new infrastructure to accommodate the Comcast building, yet the final step was never taken to mill and overlay the roadway.)
Rob Stuart (注册用户)
CT Livable Streets Campaign (注册用户)
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