Q: Judith Barkow of Rancho Cucamonga expressed concerns about the short amount of time pedestrians are given at signaled intersections to cross the street, especially those who are older or disabled. Barkow is 78 years old and in good health, and she said she often goes out with a friend from Claremont who is 89 and uses a walker. Barkow said crossing streets is challenging for her friend because there often isn’t enough time. She asked how it’s determined how much time pedestrians are given to cross the street.
“We often go to Claremont and we struggle to get across the street,” Barkow said, especially in downtown. “We cannot get across the street before time is out … it is absolutely scary. Do they pick 20-year-olds and Olympic runners to give you such a limited time? And cars are chomping at the bit to make their turns. It’s sad that it’s so dangerous out there for somebody who wants to be active,” she said. Barkow asked if more time can be allotted for pedestrians.
A: We asked Bevin Handel, spokesperson for the city of Claremont, about crosswalk timing in the city and she passed on some information from the city’s Engineering Department. In California, traffic signals are designed using state standards found in the Caltrans Standards and California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Pedestrian signal timing is calculated using California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Chapter 4, Section 4E.
Traffic signal timing is calculated on a case-by-case basis, by a professional traffic engineer taking into consideration the characteristics of the intersection. Consistent with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, pedestrian clearance time should be sufficient to allow a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk, at a walking speed of 3.5 feet per second, to reach from one side to the other, the city said. Where older or disabled pedestrians routinely use the given crossing location, a walking speed of 2.8 feet per second should be considered in determining the pedestrian clearance time. The city’s engineering folks said that to have the light timed at 2.8 feet per second, city staff needs to receive a request to have the traffic engineer consultant look into a possible modification.
“Staff appreciates the information being provided by Judith and will discuss with the city traffic engineer consultant to get the light timing extended. The consultant will evaluate the crosswalk conditions as well as the timing needed to clear the intersection when the train crosses.”
This problem is not unique to Claremont and drivers are often impatient. Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. If there are concerns with drivers violating pedestrians’ right of way at crosswalks, the Claremont Police Department can conduct selective enforcement, the city said; this would serve as a deterrent to drivers and send a clear message.
We encourage readers to bring up this issue with their city or any city in the Inland Empire.
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