9.8. SR 12-16-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CONSULTING ENGI~EER~ 1326 Energy Park Drive St. Paul, MN 55108 612-644-4389 1-800-888-2923 Fax: 612-644-9446 December 6, 1996 File: 230-347-80 Mr. Pat Klaers City Administrator City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway P.O. Box 490 Elk River, MN 55330 RE: TRUNK HIGHWAY 169 PEDESTRIAN CROSSING TEST Dear Mr. Klaers: C[V!L ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL ~.UNiCIPAL ~NNING SOL!D WASTE STRUCTURAL SURVEYING TRAFFIC TRANSPORTATION ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL ENGINEERING HVAC POWER D',STRIBUTION SCADA SYSTEN~ CONTROLS As you are aware, the pedestrian crossing test at the intersection of School Street and TH 169 was conducted on Wednesday, November 27, at 2:00 p.m. MnDOT was represented by Tom Davidson, Traffic Operations Technician, and Mike Travis, Public Information Officer. Phil Hals from your staff was present and video taped the proceedings. Keli Olin from the Deerfield Third neighborhood organized a group of her neighbors for testing purposes. The test was conducted with three different groups. The first group consisted of a mother and father and six small children. The second group consisted of three children who were slightly older and able to cross the highway by themselves. The third group was made up of Keli and Ross Olin, Mike Twaddle, and another neighbor. An older gentleman from the neighborhood had planned to also attend but decided not to because of the weather conditions on Wednesday afternoon. The test was conducted by having each group separately walk from the east side of TH 169 to the west side and then, on a second green cycle, do a return trip. All three of the groups had enough time to make their crossing. This is demonstrated on the video tape prepared by Phil. It was the consensus of the citizens in attendance and the MnDOT personnel that there was adequate time to cross the highway, but there is generally a lack of knowledge of what the "Walk" and "Don't Walk" mean. This is shown very vividly on the tape Phil made, with the first group that crossed the highway. The "Don't Walk" was flashing by the time they got to the center median and they automatically stopped there. Just for your information, the correct way to follow the pedestrian signals is as follows: Signal Description "Walk" The walk signal is for you to look both ways and then begin your trip across the intersection. Flashing Under this signal, if you have already started your trip across the intersection, you "Don't Walk" should continue to finish the trip. If you have not left the curb at this point, you should not begin your trip. You should wait until the next "Walk" cycle. "Don't Walk" When the "Don't Walk" signal glows solid, it is a signal for pedestrians to clear the crosswalk. The traffic signal is about to turn green for opposing traffic. -OFFICES IN: ,,INNEAPOLIS PRIOR LAKE ST. PAUL WASECA An Equal Opportunity Employer