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WALK WILMINGTON A Comprehensive Pedestrian

PlanWilmington Sorosis

Final Plan PresentationOctober 15, 2009

Vision

• The City of Wilmington will become a pedestrian-friendly environment where citizens and visitors have safe and attractive alternatives for walking in and around the city.

Research & background data

Field Analysis

• The Good– Lots of people walking– Good network downtown

• The Bad– Missing sidewalks along

arterials and in newer areas

– Many signals without ped signals or crosswalks

– Drivers don’t yield to peds

Pedestrian Crash Statistics

• Wilmington second for number of crashes per capita

Top 10 North Carolina Cities for Pedestrian Crashes (2001-2005)

Number of Crashes

Percent of NC Total Population

Crashes per 10,000 People

Asheville 246 2.02 71,119 34.59 Wilmington 324 2.66 99,623 32.52 Gastonia 220 1.81 67,776 32.46 Charlotte 1730 14.20 671,588 25.76 Greensboro 595 4.88 247,183 24.07 Durham 510 4.18 217,847 23.41 Raleigh 840 6.89 375,806 22.35 Fayetteville 343 2.81 171,853 19.96 High Point 171 1.40 86,211 19.84 Winston-Salem 298 2.45 215,348 13.84

Pedestrian Crash Statistics

• Cost of pedestrian crashes to Wilmington’s economy– Includes medical costs, public services, loss of productivity, employer cost, property damage and

change in quality of life

Cost of Pedestrian Crashes (1997-2005)

Injury TypeCumulative Injuries

1997-2005Cost per Injury1 Total

K Type Injury (fatality) 20

$4,200,00

0 $

84,000,000

A Type Injury (disabling) 45 $240,000 $

10,800,000

B Type Injury (evident) 207 $71,000 $

14,697,000

C Type Injury (possible) 240 $35,000 $

8,400,000 O Type Injury (property damage only) 29 $4,800

$ 139,200

 Unknown 26

 Total 567 $ 118,036,200

1 Estimate in 2007 dollars

Online and In-Person Surveys

• Web based survey available from February through June• In-person survey conducted at Downtown at Sundown,

Saturday Farmer’s Market, Juneteenth Festival

Public Survey

• Survey respondents and interviewees totaled 332• Pedestrian crossings most critical issue

(online 67% , in-person 29%)

• Factors making it unpleasant to walk– Missing sidewalks and sidewalk gaps– Drivers not stopping for pedestrians– Heavy traffic and fast moving vehicles

• Areas where improvements are needed– On major corridors – 80%– Near highway intersections – 65%– Near parks and recreation areas – 50%

• 76% would accept roadway delay if it made it safer to walk

Public Comments

• “The existing built environment does not support pedestrian travel”

• “There are very few places that one does not require a car to get to”

• “Over 50% of bus stops do not have sidewalks”

• “Very few kids walk or bike to school”

• “At most major intersections, there are no pedestrian crosswalks or walk lights - cars rule”

Staff and Agency Interviews

• City Departments– Engineering– Traffic Engineering – Police– Parks, Recreation & Downtown Services– Planning

• NCDOT– Division 3– Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

• Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (WAVE Transit)

• New Hanover County Public Schools

Identify Areas of Highest Demand for Pedestrian Facilities

Population Density

+School Proximity

+Park Proximity

+Allowable

zoning density

Demand for Pedestrian Facilities

pedestrian facility recommendations

Recommended Improvements

• 450 miles of new sidewalks (publicly- and privately- funded)• 182 signal improvements (funded by NCDOT and the City)

– Retrofit pedestrian signals and crosswalks to existing traffic signals– Install new traffic signals with pedestrian signals– Install pedestrian hybrid signals and rectangular rapid flash beacons

• Phased over 20 years

• Prioritized areas with highest pedestrian demand

• Identified implementation and funding strategies– Grants (state, federal, non-profit)– Public-private partnerships– Concurrent with development– Capital improvement plan– Concurrent with road improvement projects

Project Phasing

Improvements

Short(0-5 Years)

Medium(5-10 years)

Long(10-20 years)

Sidewalks 26 miles 206 mi. 240 mi.

Cost (approx.) $3.5 mil. $27 mil. $31 mil.

Signal/crossings

90 50 28

Cost (approx.) $4.1 mil. $1.9 mil. $1 mil.

Where (generally)

Downtown, older suburbs, along major arterials

Older suburbs, newer areas, arterials and major collectors

Newer suburbs, minor collectors

Map of Recommended Improvements [Sample]

policy recommendations

Policy Recommendations

• Amend Land Development Code

• Payment-in-lieu of constructing

sidewalks• Crosswalks and pedestrian signals at

signalized intersections

• New pedestrian signal types– Hybrid Pedestrian Signal (HAWK)– Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon

(RRFB)

• Reduce vehicle speeds

Payment-in-Lieu ofConstructing Sidewalks

Concept• Allows applicants to

contribute money to sidewalk fund instead of building sidewalk

• Sidewalk projects can be phased or consolidated

• Money can be used to build facilities in places where they are most needed- even off-site.

Recommendation• City would establish fees for

pedestrian facilities

• Similar to park fees

• City would identify pedestrian benefit zones (next slide)

• Money must be spent within a defined time period

Concept• Complements

payment-in-lieu program

• Funds spent near the development and will benefit pedestrians in that zone

• Zones should focus on improving continuity and road crossings

Potential Pedestrian Benefit Zones

Considerations• Higher speeds contribute to

increased likelihood of injury or death when hit

• Reduced speed limits provides opportunity to reduce travel lane widths-

• Pedestrian median refuges may be provided without increasing overall road width

• Wilmington may request speed limit reductions/modifications along NCDOT roadways within city limits

Intersections and Roadway DesignSpeed Limit Uniformity

Intersections and Roadway DesignSpeed Limit Uniformity

Recommendation• Speed limits based on

road classification and surrounding land-use

• Lower speeds where pedestrians are likely to be present– Central Business District– Urban Core– Residential

neighborhoods

• Influences NCDOT roadway designs

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programs

education, encouragement and enforcement

Education, Encouragement and Enforcement

Education• Safe Routes to Schools

– Provides funds to support projects and programs

• NHTSA Child Pedestrian Safety Curriculum– Develops safe walking skills

in elementary school kids

• Collaboration with Media– Newspapers, web, radio

and television

Encouragement• Walk to School Day

– Annual event celebrating kids and parents walking

• Walking and Running Clubs– Regularly scheduled

events– Clubs for all ages and

abilities

Education, Encouragement and Enforcement

Enforcement• Police training

– Pedestrian laws, rights and responsibilities

– Accurate crash reporting– NCDOT officer training

curriculum

• Targeted enforcement– Improve driver and pedestrian

behaviors• Jaywalking and failure to yield

– Crosswalk stings– Speed control

36Questions?

END OF SHOW