WALK WILMINGTON A Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan

1. WALK WILMINGTONA Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan Wilmington Sorosis Final Plan Presentation October 15, 2009

2. 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.

3. Research & background data

4. 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

5. Pedestrian Crash Statistics • Wilmington second for number of crashes per capita

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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”

10. 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

11. Identify Areas of Highest Demand for Pedestrian Facilities Population Density + School Proximity + Park Proximity + Allowable zoning density Demand for Pedestrian Facilities

12. pedestrian facility recommendations

13. 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

14. Project Phasing

15. Map of Recommended Improvements [Sample]

16. policy recommendations

17. 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

18. Payment-in-Lieu ofConstructing Sidewalks Concept 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 • 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.

19. Potential Pedestrian Benefit Zones 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

20. Pedestrian Fatality Related to Speed Fatalities based on speed of vehicle. A pedestrian’s chance of death if hit by a motor vehicles traveling at different speeds 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 20 mphmph 30 mph 40 mph Killing Speed and Saving Lives, UK Department of Transportation Intersections and Roadway DesignSpeed Limit Uniformity 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

21. 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

22. programseducation, encouragement and enforcement

23. Education, Encouragement and Enforcement Education 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 • 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

24. 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

25. Questions?

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