HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Policy Pedestrian Crosswalks
☒City Council Approved: 5/20/2003
☐City-Wide Revised:
☐Department
PEDSESTRIAN CROSSWALKS
PURPOSE: Both pedestrians and motorists in the State of Minnesota have rights and responsibilities
on the roadway. Pedestrians must obey signals and yield to motorists if not crossing at an intersection
or a crosswalk. Conversely, motorists are required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and when
crossing at intersections. In other parts of the country, this law works well and pedestrians are
protected. In Minnesota, the rights of pedestrians are not as respected by motorists. This fact creates
the potential for accidents and injury with the improper placement of crosswalks. Excessive use of signs
and pavement markings can substantially reduce the effectiveness of such devices. A consistent
application of this policy will serve both the motorist and pedestrian within the City.
PROCESS: The staff member you have contacted will formalize your traffic safety concern or
request. That person will work with you and gather the pertinent facts to help clearly define the
problem and seek a solution. City staff will review those facts, determine if the request is warranted and
will share this determination with you. If you disagree with the recommendation or can bring for the
additional information and/or facts that are persuasive as related to the City warrants/policies for the
requested issue, you may request that the Traffic Safety Committee review the issue.
POLICY: 1. The provisions of the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD) shall be followed.
2. Relevant speed, volumes, accident records, pedestrian counts, sight obstructions
and demographic analysis shall be reviewed when considering pedestrian crosswalk
installations.
3. Absent engineering data, that clearly indicates the need for a pedestrian crosswalk,
intersections will remain unmarked.
4. Pedestrian crosswalks shall be placed only at locations that are unusually hazardous
or at locations not readily apparent as having pedestrian movement.
5. Pedestrian crosswalks shall only be placed in an area that has in excess of 20
pedestrians crossing for a minimum of two hours during any eight-hour period.
6. Marking of pedestrian crosswalks shall be established by analyzing the “Vehicle
Gap Time”. The “Vehicle Gap Time” is the total number of gaps between vehicular traffic (that are
equal to or exceed the required pedestrian crossing time of three feet per second) recorded during the
average five minute period in the Peak Hour. Pedestrian crosswalks shall be marked and signed using
the following criteria:
a. More than five Gaps – Pavement markings and signage only.
b. Four to five Gaps – Add activated pedestal mounted flasher. Add
overhead mounted flasher if roadway is over 40 feet wide.
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c. Less than three Gaps – Add activated overhead mounted flasher.
The activated pedestal and overhead mounted flasher shall be designed per City Engineer Standards.
7. Pedestrian crosswalks shall not be located on arterial roads or roads with a
speed limit greater than 30 MPH unless in conjunction with signalization.
8. Pedestrian crosswalks shall only be placed at intersections.
9. Any of the following conditions may warrant pedestrian crosswalks:
a. Those locations adjacent to and along established pedestrian routes to
and from a school.
b. Locations adjacent to community centers, libraries, and other high use
public facilities.
c. Locations adjacent to public parks.
d. Locations where accident records, sight obstructions and/or pedestrian
volume (see No. 5) warrants the installation.
e. Locations where significant numbers of handicapped persons cross a
street.
f. Locations where significant numbers of senior citizens cross a street.