HomeMy WebLinkAbout88-0309 Ss. 030(1
VOLUME LIII 191
RESOLUTION
ADOPTING THE ADULT SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD CRITERIA (1988)
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS,
{ that it hereby adopts the Adult School Crossing Guard Criteria (1988) as the City of
Elgin's policy for school pedestrian crossings, a copy of which is attached.
s/ George Van De Voorde
George VanDeVoorde, Mayor
Presented: March 9, 1988
Adopted: March 9 , 1988
Vote: Yeas 6 Nays 0
Recorded:
Attest:
s/ Marie Yearman
Marie Yearman, City Clerk
f
AQULT SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD CRIIERIA ( 1988)
The following factors are considered in analyzing school pedestri-
an crossings:
1 . Ibe_number-Qf_Plemntary_lgrLd.e5_!S_51-BrbQ41_cbildren-crQ55=
LDg,_ At an intersection having a major through street and a minor
street (s) controlled by "Stop" or "Yield" signs , the number of
elementary school children crossing the major street approach
during the peak crossing hour shall be used . When the intersec-
tion is signalized , the number of Elementary school children in
the most heavily used crosswalk during the peak crossing hour
shall be used . The total number of elementary school children
crossing at an intersection shall be considered under Hazard
Rating Factor 6 (Other Factors) .
2. y@higle Gag Availability - The criterion for this element
shall be the percentage of time during the school crossing period
when gaps adequate for a safe crossing are available. The safe
crossing time shall be considered as the time necessary for an
elementary school child to cross from one refuge point to another
(usually from one curb to another ) at a walking speed of 3.0 ieet
per second .
At an intersection having a major through street and minor
street (s) controlled by "STOP" or "YIELD" signs, the gaps in
traffic to be considered will be those for the traffic on the
major street approaches. At signalized intersections, the gaps to
be considered shall be those from turning movements which conflict
with the crosswalk used by the largest group of school children,
and the gaps will be computed per hour of "GREEN" time. In this
instance, the width of the roadway is equal to one-half of the
roadway, since the children are "protected" on the other half by
vehicles waiting for the green light on the cross street (except
for right turns on red ) . Where a major street has a median strip
at least ten feet in width which can afford adequate pedestrian
refuge, the major approaches shall be considered as separate
one-way streets and the gaps used will be those of the heaviest
traveled approach .
Right turns on red that conflict with a crosswalk used by elemen-
tary students will be analyzed . There are both benefits and
hazards to pedestrians from right turn on red , but if unusual ,
hazards exist from right turns on red , prohibition of such turns
will be posted .
3. saced_Qf_dQtQL_YQhiclQs - The criterion for this element shall
be the 85th percentile speed observed on the major approaches.
The 85th percentile speed is determined from a speed study made
with a radar unit . It is the speed at which only 15 percent of
the motorists were observed traveling faster than, or the speed
below which 85 percent of the motorists travel .
•
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4. 5i4ti1_Q15taDce - The criterion for this element shall be the
ratio of the sight distance of a vehicle driver observing a
iti[ee=fQQI high object in the crosswalk to design stopping dis-
tance. The following design stopping distances (wet pavement ) , as
recommended by the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials, shall be used :
25-30 mph 150-200 feet
30-35 mph 200-250 feet
35-40 mph 250-325 feet
40-45 mph 325-400 feet
•
5. 5afely_d1tQEy - The criterion for this element shall be the
number of pedestrian accidents occurring at the study location,
involving school children going to or coming from school , during
the previous ttice@=yeat period . For locations where two or more
such accidents have occurred , the ttacee=year limitation shall not
apply. However , significant geometric or traffic control changes
at the crossing location need to be considered .
Vehicle traffic accidents will also be considered for each inter-
section during the hours when school children are crossing . The
point values in the table shall be assigned when vehicle accidents
happen at the subject intersection during the school crossing
hours during a study period of IbEee=yeaLsz
6 . Qlbec_EaciQES - Certain unique factors may exist at some
locations which would tend to increase or decrease the hazard to
school-age pedestrians. Such factors may include complex inter-
section and/or traffic signal design, existence of safer crossings
nearby, the age of children crossing , a street which is used
extensively by "foreign" traffic , the presence of stopped buses
and other obstructions, and the volume of turning traffic not
reflected in the gap availability criterion. In addition, the
character of the street ( i .e. , arterial , local , etc . ) will be
considered and will be a factor in borderline situations. The
uniformity of the hazards throughout the school year , and from
morning to evening crossing periods, needs to be considered .
Situations where few children desire to walk to school when the
temperature drops in the fall need special consideration.
IHE_ JBZABD_BBII O_SYEIEM
Each crossing is analyzed with respect to the above factors. In
order to compare the degree of hazard associated with each cross-
ing , a Lelatiye point (or hazard ) rating is assigned to each
crossing . The bazacd_EatiDQ is the cumulative total of points
assigned to the crossing based on each of the hazard factors. The
higher the hazard rating , the more hazardous the crossing is,
relatively speaking . Please note the Hazard Rating System at the
conclusion of this report .
I __
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INIEBEBEIAILM_QE_dAZABQ_BAIINU
Using the hazard rating as a guide, the following measures are
appropriate:
1 . MABK_AS_A_SCbOOL_CBOSSINO when the hazard rating is greaIPL
IbaD Z4 at a crossing used by at_1g$35I_S _sIQm2DIAzx_2rbQQ1
Cbi1ULeD during the peak crossing hour . The Traffic Committee is
authorized to mark such a crossing with appropriate warning signs
and special crosswalk markings.
2. IdSIALL_ELASdINO_BEACONS if any of the following condi-
tions is met : -
a. The 85th percentile speed is in excess of 40 mph , measured at
existing school crossing signs which have been in place at least
30 days.
b. The street crossed is a U.S. or State trunk Highway on which a
significant percentage of "foreign" drivers can be expected .
c . The ratio of sight distance to safe stopping distance is less
than 1 .5.
d . The hazard rating is greater than 30 at an unguarded location
where at least 25 elementary students cross and the available safe
crossing gaps are less than 50Y..
3. BECQdtlENQ_ImE_ASSIQddEdl_QE_Ad_ApuLI_QOABQ when the hazard
rating is gcgatgE_1haD_4Q_@Q1nta at a crossing used by at_lea%t_EQ
_elem@Dtacy 5tuOguta during the peak crossing hour .
4 . BECQaMEdp_IBE_QIQCQNIINLANCE_QE_AQCLI_SLABQ_PBQIECIIQU at a
crossing where the hazard rating falls bglgiti_30_QQ1Dt5 or if the
number of school children crossing during the peak crossing hour
is lgsg_ttaD_1L At the intersection of two arterial streets
where the total entering weekday traffic volume exceeds 20,000
vehicles, the total number of students crossing at the intersec-
tion will be used to compare to the minimum of 15 students re-
quired to retain an adult guard.
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5CHWL_E N5a1E_EIUQY_EncEDUBE
In order to properly evaluate the hazard inherent in a given
street crossing used by school children, certain data are neces-
sary concerning the quantity and characteristics of the traffic at
the location. , The specific field studies include counts of school
children crossing , traffic volumes, turning movements, measurement
of traffic gaps, vehicle speed , and physical conditions of the
location.
Pedestrian counts are made during the peak school crossing periods
(morning ,noon and afternoon) . The exact hours counted will vary
depending upon school starting and dismissal times. Only elemen-
tary school children are counted . Crossing by single children may
be tallied together , but groups should be noted by a numeral
indicating the size of the group . Totals will be made by quarter
hours.
Vehicular traffic , turning movements, and traffic gaps will be
measured during the same periods as the pedestrian counts. Tabula-
tions by fifteen-minute intervals are desired .
The count will be conducted on a warm, sunny day, if possible,
during the fall or spring of the year . If doubt arises as to the
accuracy and validity of the count , a second count will be made
and the values resulting in the higher hazard rating will be used .
The wintertime school pedestrian traffic will also be considered ,
especially in borderline situations.
Spot speeds of traffic approaching on the major approaches to the
crossing are measured with a radar speed meter . These speed
studies are generally taken approximately 250 feet in advance of
the crossing . Speed studies are not necessary where the crossing
is at a signalized intersection or where the approach is con-
trolled by a stop sign. Historical speed studies in the area may
be sufficient for estimating motor vehicle speeds. The 85th
percentile speed on each major approach is desired.
Physical conditions required include street width , length of
crosswalk , and approach sight distance. The street width is the
face of curb , curb-to-curb width or width of paved surface where
shoulder construction is used . Width of median is also desired .
Where there is considerable skew to the crosswalk or normal
crossing path , the length of such crosswalk should be measured .
Sight distance is the distance from the crossing at which the
driver first receives a continuous view of a Ibreg_fQQ± high
object . This information is needed for all uncontrolled approach-
es.
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As individual locations are called to the attention of the Traffic
Committee, studies will be made and the indicated measures taken,
or recommendations will be submitted to the Elgin City Council .
The agencies responsible for the studies and recommendations for
school crossing guards and the policy set forth in this criteria
are the following : Traffic Committee, Engineering Division and
Elgin Police Department . This criteria has also been reviewed by
staff of U-46 School District for comments.
Hazard points will be assigned according to the following sched-
ule:
k. -6-
' 1. SCHOOL CHILDREN CROSSING
Volume Points Volume Points
75-79—1 1 50-74 20 1
2 75-99 24
20-29 4 100-124 28
30-34 8 125-149 32
35-39 12 150 & Over 36
40-49 16
2. VEHICLE GAP AVAILABILITY
% of time when there
are safe gaps Points
Over 80% 0
70-79 4
60-69 8
55-59 12
50-54 16
45-49 20 I
40-44 24
30-39 28
20-29 32
Less than 20 36
3. VEHICLE SPEED 4. SIGHT DISTANCE
MPH Points Ratio Points
0-25 0 Over 2.0 0
25-30 1 1 . 5-2.0 1
30-35 2 1.0-1.5 5
35-40 3 Less than 1 .0 15
40-45 4
Over 45 5
5. SAFETY HISTORY
Vehicle Accidents
Pedestrian During Crossing Hours
Accidents Points Number Points
0 0 0 0
1 5 1 2
. Each add' l 20 2 5
3 10
4 or more 20
6. OTHER FACTORS Points
Foreign traffic route 0 to +5
For each approach in excess of four +5
For complex signal design +3 to +8
For simple signal design -3 to -8
Safer crossing one block out of way -10
Large percentage of Grade K and
Grade 1 students (over 40%) 0 to +5
An intersection of two arterial
streets where the total weekday
traffic approach volume exceeds
20,000 vehicles +4
Children crossing multiple crosswalks
at an intersection 0 to +8
Stopped buses and other obstructions 0 to +5
Volume of turning traffic not reflected
in gap availability 0 to +5