Pedestrian Program San Francisco Case Study

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Pedestrian Program San Francisco Case Study

• Cristina Calderon Olea, P.E.
• September 14, 2007

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Presentation Overview

• Our Mission
• Pedestrian Safety Tools
• Better Streets Plan

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San Franciscos Pedestrian Program

• Mission Statement
• To ensure San Francisco remains a walkable City
  for all pedestrians, especially children, seniors
  and persons with disabilities.

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San Franciscos Pedestrian Safety Toolkit
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Pedestrian Countdown Signals
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Pedestrian Scramble
San Francisco, CA
Sydney, Australia
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Ped Scramble Considerations

• Useful where there is a high concentration of
  pedestrians and turning vehicles
• The need to stop vehicles in all directions can
  create delay
• Lack of obedience to pedestrian signals can be an
  issue. Motorist can disobey No Turn On Red.
• Diagonal crossings may not be
• feasible at larger intersections.

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Pedestrian Head Start

• An alternative for conflicts between heavy
  turning volumes and moderate to heavy pedestrian
  volumes
• 2-4 second WALK interval before parallel Green
• Can put pedestrians directly in the path of
  travel of turning vehicles

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Pedestrian Early End

• Dont Walk appears 2 seconds before end of green
• Usually applied along with a turn arrow for
  vehicles

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Accessible Pedestrian Signals
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Proposed APS Features

• Audible Walk Indication Rapid Tick
• Vibrotactile Walk Indication
• Automatic volume adjustment in response to
  ambient sound
• Locator Tone

• Tactile Arrow
• Street name in Braille and large print
• Pushbutton Information Message
• Pushbutton actuation tone and light in response
  to button push

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Video Detection for Pedestrians
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Video Detection for Pedestrians

• Detects pedestrians still in the crosswalk after
  flashing dont walk time expires
• Extends green and DONT WALK
• Only 1 installation in San Francisco

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H.A.W.K. Signal

• High-intensity Activated crossWalK
• Used in Tucson, AZ
• A combination of a beacon flasher and traffic
  control signaling technique for marked crossings
• An extension of the traditional school bus
  flashing warning signal when children are
  crossing the road and the European level or
  emergency crossing signal.

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H.A.W.K. Signal
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H.A.W.K Signal - Operations

• Unit is normally off until activated by a
  pedestrian
• When a pedestrian wishes to cross the street,
  they press a button
• The signal begins with a FLASHING YELLOW
  indication to warn approaching drivers
• The FLASHING YELLOW is then followed by a SOLID
  YELLOW indication
• The signal then changes to a SOLID RED indication
  at which time the pedestrian is shown a WALK
  indication
• The beacon signal then converts to an ALTERNATING
  FLASHING RED, allowing the drivers to proceed
  when safe, after stopping at the crosswalk

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San Franciscos Better Streets Plan

• Standards for design and maintenance of the
  pedestrian
• environment
• Citywide 'cookbook for use by all agencies

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Why are we doing a Better Streets Plan?
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Why do we need a Better Streets Plan?
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Multiple agencies with jurisdiction over streets
Why do we need a Better Streets Plan?
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Better Streets Plan Goals
Streets that Support Diverse Public Life
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Streets that are Safe
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Streets that are Accessible
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Streets that are Environmentally Friendly
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Different types of Streets

• Special Streets
• Ceremonial
• Parkway
• Multi-way boulevard
• Small Streets
• Alleys
• Paseos

• Residential
• Neighborhood
• Throughway
• Downtown
• Commercial
• Neighborhood
• Throughway
• Downtown
• Industrial
• Industrial
• Industrial Mixed-Use

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• Edge Zone
• Accommodate door swings and accessible transit
  stops
• Furnishings Zone
• Landscaping, furnishings, parking meters, etc.
• Throughway Zone
• 4 minimum clear width
• Frontage Zone
• Shy distance adjacent to building frontage

Sidewalk Zones
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Basic Improvements

• More consistent trees and plantings
• Pedestrian-scale lighting
• Corner curb extensions at major streets
• Special crosswalk and paving treatments
• Street furnishings
• Reduced street clutter

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Additional Options
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Contact

• Cristina Calderon Olea, P.E.
• Manager, Pedestrian Program
• 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 7th Floor
• San Francisco, CA 94103
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email cristina.olea_at_sfmta.com