Three situations where a marked crosswaik can provide some benefit ire:

- Where large numbers of pedestrians are crosSing at manv
locations along the street. and an attempt is needed to
encourage them to cross at one. or the safest location.

Where pedestrians have to wait an unreasonable length of .ime
before a sate crossing gap in trarfic is available. a
Crosswalk in this case will make crossing more convenient for
the pedestrian. and may be an acceptable trade-off for -he
increased crossing hazard.

- Where a school patrol or adult crossing guard is provided.

The decision to install a marked crosswalk cannot easily be determined bv
specific warrants. rather the approach is a subjective one. The site
conditions used when making this decision are:

Peak period pedestrian counts (eg: before & atter school).
Tratfic counts for 24 hour and during peak pedestrian periods.
Lane widths and road classification.

Posted speed.

Parking restrictions & existing traffic control.

Visibility, sight distance problems.

Accident record.

Delays for pedestrians waiting to cross.

Distance to alternate crosswalks.

In addition, to assist in the crosswalk decision, we have been using the
Poisson statistical method to compare the availlability cf suitable gaps
in traffic to the actual pedestrian demand.

Several school crosswalks have been video taped to note how children are
interacting with the drivers. The tapes are particularly useful to show
Parents how some students are not uSing necessary caution. and are in
need of further safety training. Drivers can be observed to see if they
are stopping at the occupied crosswalk. Also. students can be observed
to see if they are selecting suitable gaps in traffic to cross. and if
they are waiting for cars to stop before crossing.

LEVEL OF PROTECTION FOR MARKED CROSSWALKS

When a location warrants the placement of a marked crossing, the level or
Protection installed should be determined using the M.O.T.H. ‘Guidelines

for Pedestrian Crossings'. I would recommend however, that the following
changes be made to the M.O.T.H. guidelines for our use.

~ Do not use different signs for "pedestrian crossings’ and ‘school
crosSings', as suggested in the guidelines. in all cases RA-4

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