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Resolution 7519 Adopting Enhanced Design Options for Edgewood Drive Reconstruction October 26, 2009 Page 2 Disadvantages: • Additional cost due to sidewalk construction (estimated at $3,000-$4,000 per choker) • Additional maintenance (nuisance for snowplows) • Most effective when used in conjunction with sharp vertical deflection elements (i.e. trees) • Experienced bicyclists may merge with traffic rather than use sidewalk • Drainage may become an issue • Turning movements for large vehicles may be hindered • Significant speed reduction doesn’t occur until significant narrowing occurs (18 to 20-foot widths), which we can’t do and still meet State Aid requirements Chokers do not work in all situations at reducing speed and/or volume of traffic. For chokers to be the most effective, the following is recommended: • Spaced 200 to 300 feet apart • The width between the curbs is 18 to 20 feet • Used in conjunction with other methods of traffic calming • Accompanied with a sharp vertical element • Used at midblock instead of at intersections Excessive speed has not been a major concern from residents on Edgewood Drive. Pedestrian safety has been a concern due to the amount of children walking or biking to Edgewood Middle School. A choker was recommended only at the mid-block school crossing (directly across from the paved easement) to improve pedestrian visibility and reduce the width of the road that pedestrians need to cross from 40 feet wide to 28 feet wide. It would also provide a safe refuge for pedestrians waiting to cross the street and promote the use of the existing crosswalk across the bus lanes within the parking lot. The choker may create a hazard for passing bicyclist without the use of in-line pedestrian ramps similar to those installed on Red Oak Drive. The proposed choker in front of Edgewood MS would not be large enough to situate these in-line ramps and instead could become a major hazard to bicyclists, especially at night. The Committee recommended the following: Committee Recommendation: Construct small choker (crosswalk bump-out) only at mid- block crossing in front of Edgewood MS lined up with 10 foot paved easement if curb height can be mitigated to prevent hazard to bicyclists (6-0 vote). City Staff Recommendation: Curbing hazard cannot be mitigated and choker is not recommended. Crosswalks Striped crosswalks are another tool that can be used to enhance the safety of pedestrians. Due to the amount of pedestrian traffic to and from Edgewood Middle School, staff recommends placing crosswalks at the following locations to alert motorists of potential pedestrian activity: • Across County Road H and County Road H2 (City and County staff are discussing potential enhancements to these crosswalks) • Across Edgewood Drive at the school entrance, at Woodale Drive, at Ridge Lane, and at Clearview Avenue In addition to the striped crosswalks, pedestrian crossing signs would be installed. The proposed crosswalks and signing are shown on the attached plan sheets. It is estimated that the signing and striping required for each crosswalk would add approximately $1,250 to the project costs.