RECOMMENDATIONSTOIMPROVEPEDESTRIAN&BICYCLISTSAFETYINMODESTO’SAIRPORTNEIGHBORHOOD

August2016

ByJaimeFearer,CaroJauregui,TonyDang,WendyAlfsen,CaliforniaWalks;JillCooper,UCBerkeleySafeTREC

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RecommendationstoImprovePedestrian&BicyclistSafetyinModesto’sAirportNeighborhoodB Y J A I M E F E A R E R , C A R O J A U R E G U I , T O N Y D A N G , W E N D Y A L F S E N , C A L I F O R N I A W A L K S ; J I L L C O O P E R , U C B E R K E L E Y S A F E T R E C

INTRODUCTION

IncollaborationwiththeCatholicCharitiesDioceseofStockton,theStanislausCountyHealthServicesAgency,andtheTuolumneRiverTrust,theAirportNeighborhoodofModestowasidentifiedasasitefortheCommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTrainingprogrambasedontheresidents’interestinandneedfortechnicalassistanceandresourcestoimprovepedestriansafety,bicyclistsafety,walkability,andbikeability,particularlyasitrelatestosaferoutestoschoolforelementaryandjuniorhighschoolstudents.TheAirportNeighborhoodisgeographicallysplitbetweenthejurisdictionsoftheCityofModestoandStanislausCounty.

FollowingplanningconversationswiththeCatholicCharitiesDioceseofStockton,HealthyStartFamilyResourceCenter–OrvilleWrightElementarySchool,TuolumneRiverTrust,andtheStanislausCountyHealthServicesAgency,thecommunityinvitedtheUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeley’sSafeTransportationResearchandEducationCenter(SafeTREC)andCaliforniaWalks(CalWalks)totheAirportNeighborhoodtofacilitateacommunity-drivenpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyaction-planningworkshop.CalWalksfacilitatedtheworkshoponMay19,2016,whichconsistedof:1)anoverviewof

multidisciplinaryapproachestoimprovepedestrianandbicyclistsafety;2)twowalkabilityandbikeabilityassessmentsalongtwokeyrouteswherestudentswalkandbiketo/fromschoolandcommunityparks;and3)smallgroupactionplanningdiscussionstofacilitatethedevelopmentofcommunity-prioritizedrecommendationstoinformtheCityandCounty’sactivetransportationeffortsaswellasthecommunity’seffortsensuresaferoutesto/fromschoolsandparksinandnearthe

AIRPORT NEIGHBORHOOD WITH COUNTY PORTION OUTLINED1

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AirportNeighborhood.Thisreportsummarizestheworkshopproceedings,aswellasideasidentifiedduringtheprocessandrecommendationsforpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyprojects,policies,andprograms.

BACKGROUND

CommunityPedestrian&BicyclistSafetyTrainingProgram

TheCommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTraining(CPBST)programisajointprojectofUCBerkeleySafeTRECandCalWalks.FundingforthisprogramisprovidedbyagrantfromtheCaliforniaOfficeofTrafficSafety(OTS)throughtheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration(NHTSA).ThepurposeoftheCPBSTistotrainlocalneighborhoodresidentsandsafetyadvocatesonhowtoimprovepedestrianandbicyclistsafetyandtoeducatethemonhowtocollaborateeffectivelywithlocalofficialsandagencystafftomakecommunitiessaferandmorepleasanttowalkandbike.Thehalf-daytrainingisdesignedtoprovideparticipantswithbothpedestrianandbicyclistsafetybestpracticesandarangeofprovenstrategies(the6E’s:Empowerment&Equity,Evaluation,Engineering,Enforcement,Education,andEncouragement)toaddressandimprovepedestrianandbicyclistsafetyconditionsandconcerns.Participantsarethenguidedonawalkabilityandbikeabilityassessmentofnearbystreetsbeforesettingpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyprioritiesandactionablenextstepsfortheircommunity.ForasummaryofoutcomesfrompastCPSTworkshops,pleasevisit:www.californiawalks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/CPST-Annual-Report-2015.pdf

SelectedPedestrian&BicyclistSafetyConditionsintheAirportNeighborhood

Inplanningdiscussionsandsitevisits,thefollowingsafetyconcernswerenoted:

LackofSidewalks&DrainageWithintheAirportNeighborhood,sidewalksaregenerallypresentonstreetswithintheCityofModesto’sjurisdictionandaregenerallynotpresentonstreetswithinStanislausCounty’sjurisdiction.Inadditiontothelackofsidewalks,theCountyportionoftheneighborhoodlacksstormdrainagethatcreatesadditionalhazardsforpeopletravelingbyfootorbicycleduetofloodedandmuddyconditionsalongthestreet,resultinginresidentswalkingfurtherintothetravellaneoftheroadway.Stormwaterdrainagealsopresentschallengeswheresidewalksdocurrentlyexist,withlargepuddles

formingatcornersandincurbrampareaswheretheyexist.ManyoftheexistingsidewalksonthestreetsintheCityportionoftheneighborhoodareindisrepairwithcracks,brokenconcrete,missing

LACK OF SIDEWALKS, ESPECIALLY IN UNINCORPORATED COUNTY PORTION OF NEIGHBORHOOD

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curbramps,andsectionsupliftedbytreeroots.Araillinerunseast/westthroughtheneighborhoodandcrossesallofthenorth/southstreets,thoughonlythecrossingatSantaRosaAvenuehasadequatesidewalks.Noneoftherailroadcrossings,includingatSantaRosa,haspedestrian-scalecrossinggatearms.HighTrafficSpeeds&WideStreetsManyoftheneighborhoodstreetshaveverywideright-of-waysfortraditionaltwo-laneresidentialroads.Researchhasdemonstratedthatwidestreetsandwidetravellanesareassociatedwithhighervehiclespeeds,1whichaffectsafetyforpeoplewalkingandbicycling.Inadditiontoencouraginghighervehicletravelspeeds,widestreetscreatelongercrossingdistancesforpedestrians.Themajorthoroughfareatthenorthendoftheneighborhood,YosemiteBoulevard,isStateRoute132.ThesegmentthatrunsalongtheAirportNeighborhoodisclassifiedasafour-laneprincipalarterialwithapostedspeedlimitof45MPH.2Limitedsignalized,markedcrossingsalongYosemiteBoulevardexistatSantaRosaAvenue,SantaCruzAvenue,LaLomaAvenue,andEmpireAvenue(thoughtheeastlegofthecrosswalkisnotopen).ThecrossingatWilsonAvenueismarkedandaccompaniedbyanolderstylepedestrianbeacon.ThecrossingsatLasPalmasAvenueandSantaAnaAvenuearebothmarkedasschoolcrossingsandhavenoaccompanyingbeaconsorsignalization.LackofBicycleFacilitiesMarkedbicyclefacilitiesdonotexistontheneighborhoodstreetsoralongYosemiteBoulevard.Onthesouthendoftheneighborhood,bothLegionParkandTuolumneRiverRegionalPark(TRRP)havemulti-usepaths(or“ClassI”bicyclefacilities),thoughtherearenobicyclefacilitiesorwayfindingtoconnectthecommunitytotheparkpaths.EarlyProgresstoImprovePedestrianSafetyInJanuary2016,theCityofModestobeganworkontheinstallationofhigh-visibility,4-waycrosswalkmarkingsatthecornerofMontereyandEmpireAvenues,adjacenttoOrvilleWrightElementarySchool.Whileonthewalkabilityasessmentsduringtheworkshop,participantsnotedandvoicedsupportfortheeffectivecornerparkingrestrictions/daylightingsafeandADA-compliantcurbrampsthatwerealsoinstalledatthislocation. 1SeeKayFitzpatrick,PaulCarlson,MarcusBrewer,andMarkWooldridge,“DesignFactorsThatAffectDriverSpeedonSuburbanArterials":TransportationResearchRecord1751(2000):18–25.2SeeCaltransDistrict10,“StateRoute132TransportationConceptReport,”October2014.Availableathttp://www.dot.ca.gov/dist10/divisions/Planning/advancedplanning/docs/TCR's/SR-132TCRfinal10_10_2014.pdf

POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS LEADING TO LARGE PUDDLES

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TheAirportNeighborhood’sPedestrianandBicyclistCollisionHistoryBetween2010-20143,therewere396pedestriancollisions,including16fatalitiesand52severeinjuries,and406bicyclistcollisions,including6fatalitiesand29severeinjuries,inModesto.InrelationtotheAirportNeighborhood,pedestrianandbicyclistcollisionsareconcentratednearandalongYosemiteBoulevard.Nearlytwo-thirds(65%)ofpedestriancollisionsinModestocanbeattributedtoadriverviolation,whileroughlyathird(35%)canbeattributedtoapedestrianviolations.

ThetoptwoPrimaryCollisionFactors(PCFs)inpedestriancollisionsintermsofdriverviolationswere:PedestrianRight-of-WayViolations4(37.9%)andUnsafeSpeed(4.4%)—accountingforover42%ofdriverviolations.Whileamajorityofcollisionsinvolvedpedestrianscrossinginacrosswalkatanintersection(47.2%),28.1%ofpedestriancollisionsinvolvedapedestriancrossingnotinacrosswalk,5and14.3%involvedapedestrianwalkingontheroadway.

ForbicyclistcollisionsinModesto,bicyclingonthewrongsideoftheroad(againsttraffic)constitutedthelargestpercentage(32.5%),followedbyfailuretoyieldtovehicletrafficwiththeright-of-way(23.8%).

MAY19WORKSHOPCommunity-basedorganizationsrequestedaworkshopto1)provideCity/Countystaff,communityorganizations,andresidentswithatoolkitforpromotingpedestrianandbicyclistsafetytoinformfuturecomprehensiveactivetransportationplanningandimprovementefforts,includingtheplanningfortheAirportNeighborhoodUrbanGreeningMasterPlanandthecreationofaWalkingSchoolBusprogramforOrvilleWrightElementarySchool;2)strengthentheopenandcollaborativerelationshipbetweencommunity-basedorganizations,residents,andCity/Countyagencies;and3)developconsensusregardingpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyprioritiesandactionablenextstepsfortheAirportNeighborhood.

3Pleasenotethat2014collisiondataisprovisionalandnotyetfinal.4PedestrianRight-of-WayViolationsaredefinedasinstanceswhereadriverfailstoyieldtoapedestrianinamarkedorunmarkedcrosswalkwhenthepedestrianhastherightofway(e.g.,whenthepedestrianhasa“Walk”signalatasignalizedintersection).5Pedestrianshavetheright-of-wayinmarkedandunmarkedcrossings,anddriversarelegallyrequiredtoyieldtopedestriansintheseinstances.However,whenpedestrianscrossoutsideofmarkedorunmarkedcrossings,pedestriansmustyieldtheright-of-waytodrivers.Thisisnotthesameastheterm“jaywalking,”whichreferstocrossingoutsideofamarkedorunmarkedcrossingbetweentwosignalizedintersections.Apedestrianislegallyabletocrossoutsideofamarkedorunmarkedcrossingbetweentwointersectionswhereoneornoneoftheintersectionsissignalizedbutonlyifthepedestrianyieldstheright-of-waytooncomingdrivers.

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PrecedingtheMay19workshop,theplanningcommitteeconductedapreliminarywalkabilityassessmentinordertobetterunderstandhowsafetheroutesaretoandfromOrvilleWrightElementarySchool.InearlyNovember2015,CalWalkssharedtheMicroscaleAuditofPedestrianStreetscapes(MAPS)audittoolswiththeplanningcommittee6andprovidedaSpanishtranslationoftheMAPS-Miniassessment.AppendixAcontainstheresultsoftheassessmentconductedby36volunteersfromtheneighborhood,community-basedorganizations,andmembersoftheStanislausCountySheriff’sDepartment.TheseresultsweresharedattheJanuary29,2016,meetingoftheAirportNeighborhoodCollaborative,andbothCountySupervisorDickMonteithandCityCouncilmemberBillZoslockiwereinattendancealongsideCity/Countyagencystaffandresidents.

PARENTS AND RESIDENTS LEARNING ABOUT THE 6 E’S APPROACH TO PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLIST SAFETY

TheMay19workshopwashostedfrom9:00am-2:00pmattheAirportNeighborhoodCommunityCenterwithbreakfast,lunch,andchildcareprovidedtoencouragecommunityresidentparticipation;residentswereencouragedtojoinatanypointduringtheworkshop.TheworkshopwasfacilitatedinSpanish,whilestaffsimultaneouslypresentedinEnglishviainterpretationheadsets.Thirty-six(36)

6“AuditingthePedestrianEnvironment:ABriefToolforPractitioners&CommunityMembers”:http://activelivingresearch.org/blog/2015/09/auditing-pedestrian-environment-brief-tool-practitioners-community-members

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individualsattendedtheworkshop,representingawidevarietyoforganizations,City/Countyagencies,andthecommunity-at-large,including:

• CityofModesto;• StanislausCounty;• CaltransDistrict10;• CaliforniaOfficeofTrafficSafety;• ModestoPoliceDepartment;• CatholicCharitiesDioceseofStockton;• HealthyStartFamilyResourceCenter–

OrvilleWrightElementarySchool;• TuolumneRiverTrust;

• StanislausCountyHealthServicesAgencyHealthyStart;

• StanislausCountyAnimalServices;• CenterforHumanServices;• StanislausCountyCouncilof

Governments;• CommunityChats/CharlasComunitarias

yPromotoras;and• LocalResidents.

ReflectionsfromWalkability&BikeabilityAssessment

Walkabilityassessmentswereconductedalongtwokeyrouteswherestudentswalkandbiketo/fromschoolandwhereresidentstravelto/fromcommunityparks.Participantswereaskedto1)observeinfrastructureconditionsandthebehaviorofallroadusers;2)applystrategieslearnedfromthe6E’spresentationthatcouldhelpovercomeinfrastructuredeficienciesandunsafedriver,pedestrian,andbicyclistbehaviorinandaroundtheAirportNeighborhood;and3)identifypositivecommunityassetsandstrategieswhichcanbuildupontheseassets.Followingthewalkabilityassessment,theparticipantssharedthefollowingreflections:

• TheDiversityofWorkshopParticipants:WorkshopparticipantsnotedthatbothonMay19andattheJanuary2016AirportNeighborhoodCollaborativemeeting,attendeescamefrommanydifferentbackgrounds.Notonlywereresidentsandcommunity-basedorganizationsrepresented,butalsoagencystafffromtheCity,County,andState.Thisshowedneighborhoodleadersthattheywerenotaloneinworkingtoimprovesafety,andthattheirvoicesandconcernsarebeingheardbygovernmentofficials.

• NewandEffectiveInfrastructure:OnemonthaftertheJanuary2016Collaborativemeeting,theCityofModestobeganworkontheinstallationofhigh-visibility,4-waycrosswalkmarkingsatthecornerofMontereyandEmpireAvenues,adjacenttoOrvilleWrightElementarySchool.Whileonthewalkabilityasessmentsduringtheworkshop,participantsnotedandvoiced

PARTICIPANTS DISCUSSING CONDITIONS DURING WALKABILITY ASSESSMENT

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supportfortheeffectivecornerparkingrestrictions/daylightingsafeandADA-compliantcurbrampsthatwerealsoinstalledatthislocation.

• AbundantParks&OpenSpace:Participantshighlightedthenumerousparksandopenspacepreserveslocatedinandaroundtheneighborhood,includingMonoPark,OregonPark,LegionPark,andTuolumneRiverRegionalPark(TRRP).Unfortunately,wayfindingandcompletewalkingandbikinginfrastructureislackingattheneighborhoodleveltodirectresidentsandvisitorstoaccessthesewonderfulrecreationalfacilities.

• AbundantRight-of-Way:Participantspointedoutthewidestreetsintheirneighborhoodasbothachallengeandopportunity.Whilethecurrentautomobileright-of-wayencouragesspeedingandotherdangerousbehaviors,italsomeansthatthespaceneededtocreatedsaferinfrastructureforpeoplewalkingandbikingisavailable,includingthepossibleadditionofClassIIbicyclelanesandconflictzonemarkings.

• ChallengesCrossingMajorThoroughfare:ParticipantsnotedseveralchallengeswithcrossingYosemiteBoulevard,includinglimitedsignalizedandmarkedcrossings,longcrossingdistances,faded

crosswalkmarkings,andlackofdaylightingatcorners.• Missingand/orPoorlyMaintainedSidewalks:ParticipantsechoedthechallengesCalWalks

observedduringtheJanuary2016sitevisit,includingthedisrepairofCitysidewalks(cracks,brokenconcrete,missingcurbramps,andsectionsupliftedbytreeroots)andthelackofsidewalksandstormdrainageintheunincorporatedCountyportionoftheneighborhood.

• InsufficientCrosswalks:ThroughouttheneighborhoodandatintersectionsatYosemiteBoulevard,participantspointedoutmissingcornercurbramps,lackofADAcompliance,missingorblockedcrosswalks,lackofmarkedcrosswalksorfadedmarkings,andagenerallackofcornerparkingrestrictionsordaylighting.

• Blight,LooseDogs,andOvergrownVegetation:Inadditiontothe“hard”barrierstosafewalkingandbikingintheneighborhood,participantsalsopointedoutsomeofthe“soft”barriers,includingexcessivetrashandgraffitiinsomeareas;anabundanceofloosedogsthataffectresidents’feelingsofsafetywhilewalkingorbiking;andovergrownvegetationthatmayblocksightlines,sidewalks,orevenoverheadstreetlights.

EXAMPLE OF PHYSICALLY SEPARATED BICYCLE FACILITIES RECENTLY INSTALLED BY THE CITY OF MODESTO

EXAMPLE AGGRESSIVE DOGS OBSERVED DURING WALKABILITY ASSESSMENT

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EXAMPLE OF ILLEGAL DUMPING OBSERVED DURING WALKABILITY ASSESSMENT

UNSAFE CROSSING BEHAVIOR OBSERVED ON YOSEMITE AVENUE DURING WALKABILITY ASSESSMENT

CommunityResidentRecommendations

Followingthewalkabilityassessment,CalWalksfacilitatedsmall-groupactionplanningdiscussionsinbothEnglishandSpanish.Workshopparticipantsweretaskedwithdiscussingtwosetsofquestions:ThefirstfocusedonidentifyingandprioritizinginfrastructureimprovementsforstudentsandresidentswalkingandbikingintheAirportNeighborhood,andthesecondfocusedonidentifyingandprioritizingnon-infrastructureactivitiesthatcouldbeimplementedtoeducateandencouragestudentstowalkandbiketoschoolsafely.Workshopparticipantsprovidedthefollowingrecommendationsforinfrastructureimprovements:

• SidewalkInstallation&Maintenance:ParticipantshighlightedtheneedtoprioritizesidewalkmaintenancewithintheCityofModestoandsidewalkinstallationwithintheCountyside.Additionally,residentsraisedtheneedtoaddressdrainageandovergrownvegetationissues.Citystaffrecommendedreal-timeissuereportingvia311andthenew,multi-lingualGoModesto!app.7

7FormoreinformationontheGoModesto!app,pleasevisithttp://www.modestogov.com/326/GoModesto.

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• ImprovedCrossings:ThroughouttheneighborhoodandatintersectionsatYosemiteBoulevard,participantshighlightedmissingcornercurbramps,lackofADAcompliance,missingorblockedcrosswalks,lackofmarkedcrosswalksorfadedmarkings,andagenerallackofcornerparkingrestrictionsordaylighting.Residentswereparticularlyinterestedinseeingmorehigh-visibilitycrosswalkmarkingslikethoserecentlyinstalledatMontereyandEmpireAvenuesandfortheinstallationofpedestrian-scalecrossingarmsatalloftheneighborhood’s

railroadcrossings.• Street-andPedestrian-ScaleLighting:Participantsrecommendedimprovedandincreased

street-andpedestrian-scalelightingthroughouttheneighborhood.Forsomeofthecurrentstreetlighting,aquickandrelativelylow-costfixwouldbetoclearsurroundingvegetationtoimprovetherangeofthelightshining.

• SpeedBumpsandStopSignsonMontereyAvenue:SeveralparticipantscalledfortheinstallationofspeedbumpsandstopsignsalongMontereyAvenuetofacilitatesafertravelaroundOrvilleWrightElementarySchool.NowthattheMontereyandEmpireAvenueintersectionisafour-waystop,residentswouldliketoseesimilartreatmentsalongMontereyatbothThrasherandKerrAvenues.

• ImprovedBusStops:ThebusstopsintheAirportNeighborhoodprimarilyconsistoftransitsignpolesandnothingmore.Participantswouldliketoseebenchesandprotectionfromthesunviabussheltersateachofthebusstopsasalonger-termimprovement.

• MaintenanceofLocalParksandTrails:Participantsnotedalotofblightandvegetationinvariousspotsaroundthecommunityincludingparks.Themothersinthegroupnotedthattheywouldbemorewillingtotaketheirfamilies,includingsmallchildren,tolocalparksandalongtheTuolumneRiveriftheywerewellmaintained,specficially,ifsomeofthevegetationwasremovedtomaintainopenspace.Overgrown

PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN SMALL GROUP ACTION PLANNING FOLLOWING THE WALKABILITY ASSESSMENT

EXAMPLE OF EXISTING BUS STOP THAT HAS NO SHELTER AND DOES NOT CONNECT TO SIDEWALKS

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vegetationandlackofmaintenancehasattractedillegalbehavior,whichhasdiscouragedthecommunityfromenjoyingtheirparks.

Workshopparticipantsprovidedthefollowingrecommendationsfornon-infrastructureactivities:

• WalkingSchoolBus/SafeRoutestoSchool:TheconceptofaWalkingSchoolBusprogramwaspopularamongparticipants,andresidentsaddedthattheywouldliketopartnerwiththeModestoPoliceDepartmentandtheStanislausCountySheriff’sDepartmenttoleadtheWalkingSchoolBusroutesastheykickoffandtoremainengagedasparticipantsthroughouttheschoolyear.Additionally,participantsrecommendedtheestablishmentofdesignateddrop-offzonesatOrvilleWrightElementaryforparentsandcaretakersdrivingtheirchildrento/fromschool,aswellasreplacingthebikerack(s)toencouragemorestudentstoridetheirbikestoschool.

• Pedestrian/BicyclistSafetyEducationProgramming:Participantsexpressedtheneedforongoingpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyeducationtrainingandencouragementthroughworkshops,adedicatedPedestrian&BicyclistAwarenessWeek,outreachatcommunityeventsandthelocalfoodfestival,ongoingcommunicationwithparentleaders/parentcafé,andprizesandrecognitionforgoodbehaviorandmilestones.

• SiSePuede!/WeCanDoIt!:Throughouttheworkshopthemessagewasclearthatparticipantswanttobeconsistentinprioritizingtheirownneeds.Therewasanoverarchingcalltostayunitedandempowered,tonotgiveuponchildren’ssafetyandtheirfuture,andtocontinuetoworkonunityandcommunicationamongresidents.

CaliforniaWalks/SafeTRECRecommendations

CaliforniaWalksandSafeTRECalsosubmitthefollowingrecommendationsforconsiderationbycommunityadvocates,theCityofModesto,StanislausCounty,andCaltrans:• EngageCommunityPartnersontheFinalizationandImplementationoftheAirport

NeighborhoodUrbanGreeningMasterPlan:CalWalksandSafeTRECencouragetheStanislausCountyDepartmentofPlanning&CommunityDevelopmentstafftomeaningfullyengageresidentsandcommunity-basedorganizationpartnersinthecreationofafinaldraftoftheAirportNeighborhoodUrbanGreeningMasterPlanandinitsimplementationonceadopted.8Asthisworkshophasshown,thereisconsiderablecommunitysupportandmomentumbehindtheelementsoftheplan,includingactivetransportationcirculationthroughtheneighborhood,SafeRoutestoSchool,connectingresidentstotheirparksandopenspace,andimprovingstormwaterrun-offoptions.

• EngageCommunityPartners,theCityofModesto,andStanislausCountyonPlanningandImplementationtoandalongYosemiteBoulevard/SR132:CalWalksandSafeTRECrecommendCaltransDistrict10TrafficOperationsandCommunityPlanningengageresidents,community-basedorganizationpartners,andagencystaffatboththeCityandCountyonissuesofsafepedestrianandbicyclistaccessalongandacrossYosemiteBoulevard.Specifically,existingmarkedcrossingsonYosemiteBoulevardareeligibletoreceivesafetyimprovementspursuanttoCaltrans’CrosswalkEnhancementPolicy.9Additionally,inthenextupdatetotheTransportationConcept

8FormoreinformationonthebackgroundbehindthedevelopmentoftheAirportNeighborhoodUrbanGreeningMasterPlan:http://www.stancounty.com/bos/agenda/2011/20110712/d02.pdf.9CaltransTrafficOperationsPolicyDirective,12-03"CrosswalkEnhancementsPolicy,"Availableatwww.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/policy/12-03.pdf

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Reportforthecorridor,westronglyrecommendthatcommunityresidentsbeengagedintheprocess.Intheinterim,weencourageCaltranstoproactivelyengagecommunity-basedorganizationsandresidentstoshareinformationaboutcurrentandongoingCaltransprojectsthatwillimpacttheresidents.

• CollaboratewithCommunityPartnerstoStrengthenApplicationstoSecureAdditionalFundingforTransportationPlanning&Implementation:Manynewandexistingsourcesofstateandfederaltransportationfundingforwalkingandbikingprojectsareincreasinglyincludingprioritiesrelatedtocommunityengagementinthetransportationplanninganddecision-makingprocesses.Thestate’sActiveTransportationProgram,forexample,ratesproposalshigherforconductingmeaningfulandeffectivecommunityoutreachforawalkingorbikingproject;e.g.,involvingresidentstoparticipateearlyduringtheprojectconceptionphaseand/ormadetheplanningprocessopenandaccessiblebyhostingworkshopsormeetingsduringhoursthatsuitedtheresidents,providedtranslationandchildcareservices,andwerehostedinplacesthatwereeasytoaccessbytransit.Formallypartneringwithcommunity-basedorganizationswhohaveestablishedrelationshipswithresidents—eitherbyprovidingdirectfundingforoutreachactivitiesorbypartneringwithanorganizationtohelpscopeorwriteanapplication—canleadtostrengthenedandsuccessfulfundingapplications.

• EngagewithExistingCommunity-BasedCoalitionsFocusedonPedestrian/BicyclistSafety&Walkability:TheAirportNeighborhoodCollaborative(“Collaborative”)—convenedbyHealthyStartFamilyResourceCenteratOrvilleWrightElementarySchool—isaverystrongassetfortheneighborhoodandprovidesastrongfoundationasacommunity-basedcoalitiontoadvanceeffortstoimprovewalkingandbikingintheneighborhoodandwithintheCityofModesto.TheCollaborative’smembersincludeCatholicCharitiesofStockton,theTuolumneRiverTrust,andtheStanislausHealthServicesAgencyinadditiontotheresidents.TheCity,County,andCaltrans—particularlytheplanning,publicworks,planning,andothertransportationdepartments/divisions—shouldleverageCollaborative’sforumtobettereducate,inform,andultimately,partnerwithresidentstodevelopandimplementcommunity-identifiedandprioritizedtransportationprojectsthataddressresidents’everydaytransportationneeds.

• Organizean“EmeraldNecklace”/”CadenadeParques”Walking&BikingTour:CalWalksandSafeTRECrecommendcommunityadvocatesworkwiththeCityandCountytohostawalkingandbikingtourfromdifferentpointsintheneighborhoodtotheparksandparktrails.ThesetourscouldhighlightpedestrianandbicyclistaccessandsafetyneedsforCityandCountyplanners.TuolumneRiverTrustmayalsobeinterestedinco-hosting“pop-up”or“tacticalurbanism”10eventswiththeCountyplannersworkingontheAirportNeighborhoodUrbanGreeningMasterPlantodemonstratewhatpotentialpedestrianandbicyclinginfrastructureprojectsmaylooklikeandgeneratefamiliarityandexcitementwiththeparksandplannedimprovementsacrosstheneighborhood.

• Walking/BicycleInfrastructure&WayfindingtoConnectParks:Oneresultofanongoing“EmeraldNecklace”/”CadenadeParques”Walking&BikingTourwouldpotentiallybeimplementationofimprovedwalkingandbicycleinfrastructure—thiscanrangefromsidewalksandphysically-separatedbikewaystomulti-usepathsandtrails—andwayfindingtoconnectresidentsandvisitorstoMonoPark,OregonPark,GeorgeA.RogersPark,LegionPark,andTuolumneRiverRegionalPark(TRRP).CalWalksandSafeTRECrecommendthatduringbothplanningandimplementationoftheseparkconnections,thatsaferoutestoschoolbetakenintoaccountbecauseroutesusedby

10Forexamplesoftacticalurbanismandhowitrelatestoactivetransportationplanning,pleasevisithttp://www.street-plans.com/.

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studentsmaymirrorsomeoftheEmeraldNecklaceroutesandpossiblybeincludedinthewayfindingaswell.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWewouldliketothanktheAirportNeighborhoodforinvitingusintotheircommunityandforhostingtheCommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTraining.ThankyoutoEdwardAguilar,EdgarGaribay,EsmeraldaGonzalez,andArmandoNunezfortheirfullcommitmenttoandleadershipofcommunity-driventransportationplanningandmeaningfulengagementwithcommunityresidents.WewouldalsoliketothankHealthyStartFamilyResourceCenter–OrvilleWrightElementarySchoolforgenerouslydonatingthemeetingspaceandchildcarefortheworkshop,aswellasTuolumneRiverTrustforgenerouslydonatingbreakfastandlunchforworkshopparticipants.WewouldliketoacknowledgethecommunitymembersandCity,County,andStateagencystaffwhoseattendanceatandparticipationintheworkshopand dedicationtopedestrianandbicyclistsafetymeaningfullyinformedandstrengthenedtheworkshop’soutcomes.FundingfortheCommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTrainingprogramwasprovidedbyagranttoUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeleySafeTransportationResearch&EducationCenter(SafeTREC)fromtheCaliforniaOfficeofTrafficSafetythroughtheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration.

APPENDIXAAirportNeighborhood

WalkabilitySurveyResultsNovember2015

Airport Neighborhood Walkability Survey Results

November 2015

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Purpose

• Community residents identified and prioritized several neighborhood improvement projects

• Pedestrian and bicycling safety around neighborhood school was first priority

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Partners• Community Chats/Charlas Communitarias• Healthy Start• Tuolumne River Trust• Catholic Charities• Stanislaus County Public Health • Stanislaus County Council of Governments• Stanislaus County Sherriff’s Department• Parent Resource Center – Airport Location

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Partners in Action!

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Methodology• Utilized the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian

Streetscapes – Mini Version Survey tool (MAPS-mini)

• 36 Volunteers– 20 Residents– 6 CBO Staff– 10 Sherriff’s Dept. (2 Patrol Cars, 2 Walking, 6 Cadets)

• 7 Groups with a Lead Surveyor

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Charlas in Action!

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Route-Level Data Collection

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Monterey, Empire, Oregon, Santa Cruz, Kerr, Benson, and Thrasher

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Surveys

• Surveys were completed per block and for each side of the road

• A total of 39 Surveys were completed

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Survey Results

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Survey Results

*Only one bench or places to sit.11

Transit Stops

• There are 4 transit stops in the Airport community

• Along the streets for the Walkability Assessment there are 4 transit stops

• Only one stop has a bench with no cover• None of the other transit stops have either a

bench or cover

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Transit Stop: Oregon Dr. at the Park

Looking East on Oregon Dr. Facing Transit Stop on Oregon Dr.

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Survey Results

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Survey Results

• Street lights are present on Empire, Oregon, Santa Cruz, and Monterey

• Some street lights are partially blocked by overgrown trees

• No street lights exist on connector streets: Benson (CONFIRM Kerr and Thrasher)

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Street Lights

No street lights: Benson Ave. Partially blocked street light

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Survey Results

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Graffiti/Tagging

• Some graffiti and tagging can be found throughout the community

• During the Walkability Assessment graffiti was found primarily on stop signs and vacant locations (business and/or residence)

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Graffiti/Tagging

Corner of Oregon Dr./Kerr Ave. Kerr Ave at Oregon Dr.

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Survey Results

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Survey Results

• No bikes paths are on the target streets nor in the community at large

• Bike paths do exist in the local Legion Park and TRRP Park; however, there are no bike paths connecting the community to the parks

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Bike Paths

North on Empire Ave. at Oregon Dr.

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Survey Results

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Sidewalks Present• Generally:– Sidewalks are present on streets in City of Modesto

jurisdiction– Sidewalks are not present on streets in Stanislaus

County jurisdiction• On Oregon Drive there are sidewalks adjacent to

the park, but not on the other side of the street• There are several unsafe routes with sidewalks

that have cracks, root swelling, or are in disrepair

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No sidewalks on Oregon Drive

Between Santa Cruz and Empire

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Survey Results

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Poorly Maintained Sidewalks

• On every street walked there were poorly maintained sidewalks with cracks, holes, and broken concrete

• Some sidewalks were very unsafe for walking, bicycling, or strollers because of large roots forcing the sidewalks up

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Survey Results

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Survey Results

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Trees, Awnings, Overhangs

• There are some areas that have tree overgrowth and fence hazards which impact a safe sidewalk commute

• Some trees are overhanging, impacting electrical lines and blocking stop sign views

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Survey Results

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Pedestrian Walk Signal

• There are no pedestrian walk signals along the Walkability Assessment streets

• There are pedestrian walk signals at the intersections of Santa Cruz and Yosemite Blvd. and Empire and Yosemite Blvd.

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Pedestrian Crosswalks

At Orville Wright Elementary At Santa Cruz and Oregon Dr.

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Survey Results

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Ramp at Curbs

• It appears all corner curbs had ramps• However, many of the ramps were in need of

maintenance or repair

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Ramps

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Survey Results

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Marked Crosswalks

• Many crosswalks in the community are marked, but not clearly

• Many, if not all, are in need of repainting• Some have major cracks and are unsafe for

walking• New crosswalks at the corner of Empire and

Monterey would increase safety for students walking to and from school

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Crosswalks

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Observations Beyond the Survey• Need more crosswalks for students to get to and

from school• Need more lighting; need to repair lighting• Need flashing lights near school• Need crosswalks near major intersections• Trees growing into powerlines/need trimming• Awareness of dogs/cats• Lack of sidewalks in residential area• Need stop signs at school intersections

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Thank You!

Questions?

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