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1C. <br />Crosswalks <br />General Information <br />• Minnesota State Statute 169.21 provides <br />details regarding the state law on crosswalks. 111 <br />• Crosswalks are painted to guide pedestrians to <br />cross the roadway. (2) <br />• Crosswalk signing is implemented to bring <br />attention to drivers of areas with a likelihood of <br />a pedestrian crossing. (2) <br />• Crosswalks and crosswalk signs are not a <br />safety device, they are provided as guidance <br />for pedestrians on where to cross. <br />• They are used to indicate a pedestrian crossing <br />to drivers. (21 <br />• Often crosswalks are used in conjunction <br />with other measures (slower speed roadway <br />design, short crossing distances, lighting, <br />enhanced crosswalk signs) to enhance safety <br />for pedestrians. <br />20 DECEMBER 2017 1 LOCAL ROAD RESEARCH BOARD <br />Effectiveness <br />• Volumes: Crosswalks generally do not result <br />in a net reduction of traffic. 16) <br />• Speeds: Crosswalks generally do not result in <br />a net reduction of speeds. 161 <br />• Safety: Crosswalk markings alone typically <br />do not result in a decrease of crashes, and if <br />done at a high risk area (high volume, more <br />than three lanes) can actually results in higher <br />crash rates because it gives pedestrians a false <br />sense of safety that the driver will stop for <br />them. '11 <br />• When installed with additional safety measures, <br />crosswalks are effective at improving safety. 121 <br />• Crosswalks are most effective on two-lane, <br />low volume roads. <br />• Increasing crosswalk effectiveness can be <br />accomplished using crosswalk enhancements <br />found in the Minnesota's Best Practices for <br />Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety or the Pedestrian <br />Crossings: Uncontrolled Locations handbooks. <br />