Some Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Coming, Others Not

MVSNA PEDESTRIAN SAFETY UPDATE

MVSNA Request:          Increase walk time of signal across N.Y. Avenue at 5^th Street NW from 20 to 45 seconds.

DDOT Response:          At this particular time, DDOT does not recommend this change for two primary reasons.

                                    DDOT is concerned that changing the walk time at this intersection may negatively impact pedestrian safety at this intersection further, in addition to negatively affecting traffic flow.  We would like to share these two impacts with you.

                                    Signal and pedestrian timing at this intersection is set as a standardized actuated signal, which is in agreement with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Further, this standard is consistent with the requirements of Americans with Disabilities Act.  The MUTCD is the national standard for traffic signals and other infrastructure  matters.  In following these standards, the signal is designed to display visible countdown time only during the "do not walk" flashing time.  Therefore, the viewable walk time on this signal is only 20 seconds. The total time for pedestrians to cross however, is 30 seconds. The breakdown for the signal's walk time is as follows:

                                    5 seconds of walk time as background time (not seen)

                                    3 seconds of yellow as background time (not seen)

                                    2 seconds of all red signal as background time (not seen)

                                    20 seconds visible walk time (viewable)

                                    Although ten seconds are unseen, 20 seconds are still present for pedestrians to cross.  Thirty full seconds are documented as walk time in this signal.

                                    If the signal is changed, even in a small increment, the total cycle signal length of the entire intersection will be altered and the allowable green time for traffic will be reduced.  This could result in additional traffic delays further along New York Avenue.  An overflow of traffic may adversely affect pedestrian safety as gridlocked traffic could occur through the intersections and crosswalks.

MVSNA Request:          Lengthen walk time to cross N.Y. Avenue at 4th Street NW.

DDOT Response:          The design to rephrase the traffic signal at 4th Street and New York Avenue, NW so that safety measures are enhanced for pedestrians crossing New York Avenue, has been completed. We anticipate the traffic signal to be reconfigured by the end of next month [January 2009], if not sooner.  Additional time may be required before the signal is fully operational.

MVSNA Request:          Make the crosswalk across N.Y. Avenue at 5th Street NW more visible.

DDOT Response:          None.

MVSNA Request:          Provide green left turn signal eastbound when turning northbound onto 5^th Street.

DDOT Response:          DDOT is finalizing the fully protected left turn phase for eastbound New York Avenue traffic, turning left onto northbound 5th Street.

Implementation:          End of April 2009.

MVSNA Request:          Remove/replace highway signage along N.Y. Avenue (and Mass Ave) with neighborhood-appropriate signage to discourage speeding and raise alertness of pedestrians.

DDOT Response:          New York Avenue, NW is a federal-aid route. Significant changes, including the elimination of overhead freeway signs, would initially require approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as well as funding from this agency for sign replacement.  DDOT does not recommend this modification right now, but will continue to consider this suggestion in future planning.