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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-25 Public Comment - J. and J. Jahns - North 3rd and W. Main St. Traffic SafetyFrom:pwkyocera@bozeman.net To:Alex Newby Date:Monday, August 18, 2025 5:21:14 PM Attachments:doc01158920250818172053.pdf ------------------- TASKalfa 3552ci [00:17:c8:4c:d8:5a] ------------------- City of Bozeman emails are subject to the Right to Know provisions of Montana’s Constitution (Art. II, Sect. 9) and may be considered a “public record” pursuant to Title 2, Chpt. 6, Montana Code Annotated. As such, this email, its sender and receiver, and the contents may be available for public disclosure and will be retained pursuant to the City’s record retention policies. Emails that contain confidential information such as information related to individual privacy may be protected from disclosure under law. 7'" of Aug 2025 Bozeman City Commission 121 North Rouse Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715 Subject: Request for Urgent Pedestrian Safety Improvements at North 3rd Ave. & West Main St. Dear Bozeman City Commission, We are writing as a concerned residents, parents of two children, and the co-owners of I-Ho's Korean Grill, located just down the street from the crosswalk at North 3rd Ave and West Main St. (Pictures attached) We are formally requesting urgent pedestrian safety improvements at this intersection. Currently, this crosswalk is marked only by standard signage, with no high-visibility paint or flashing lights, despite being located in one of downtown's busiest and fastest-growing corridors. Most recently, on August 7th, 2025, at around 11 a.m., a couple in their 50s was nearly hit while crossing. One vehicle in the middle lane stopped, but another vehicle in the adjacent lane sped through the intersection, missing them by just 3 to 4 feet. We've personally witnessed dozens of similar close calls over the years. The safety concern is amplified by several critical factors: •Traffic speeds often reach 30-35 mph, well over the posted limit. •Increase in downtown automobile traffic. •The intersection is directly adjacent to the Gallatin County Courthouse, which brings a steady flow of pedestrians. •Just west of this intersection, the newly completed Freestone building at 421 W Main St. includes 121 apartments, greatly increasing foot traffic. •Directly beside that, a new four-story Hilton hotel is under construction, which will further add daily visitors, guests, and vehicle traffic to the corridor. To address this increasing risk, I respectfully request that the City evaluate and implement the following: •Flashing pedestrian crossing signals in both directions (e.g., RRFBs) •Zebra-striped crosswalk markings An excellent example is the pedestrian crossing at West Villard and North 7th, near the food truck park, which features both high-visibility paint and flashing beacons, exactly what's needed at North 3rd Ave. and West Main St. to prevent future injuries. Pictures included on the following pages. I'm happy to gather community input, collect signatures, or speak at a public meeting in support of this request. Thank you for your time, consideration and commitment to keeping Bozeman's streets safe as our comm ity grows. Bozeman, MT 59715 406 589 8727 �k .. 323 & 321 W Mai Bozeman, MT 59715 406 920 5610 Residents & Co-Owners of I-Ho's Korean Grill ....,; (J) C ca � +-' Cl) � -a C ca Q) � "E ('I') ..c t::'. 0 z -0 ...... Q) C ...... 0 () -M� �Ji �'7 (1,�� Yovst Corner of North 3rd Ave and West Main St. 'f-/v l y Tl o5>o.ry C�u.r-C-k 3,i)Ow .. falo Q) � .c K ..c t'. 0 z "O C co ..... (f) � > ..... Cl) � 4-0 ,._ Q) C ,._ 0 0 1.. •i I ' j 2'\ � I, 1· ,,,/! ,t Corner of West Villard St. and North 7th Ave. \_, i c.-n.;re V ' '...., ' - ' !,..,,' Safety Benefits: RRFBs can reduce crashes up to: 47 °k for pedestrian crashes.4 RRFBs can increase motorist yielding rates up to: 98% (varies by speed limit, number of lanes, crossing distance, and time of day).3 RRFBs used at a troll crossing. Source: LJB For more Information on this and other FHWA Proven Safety Countermeasures, please visit https: //highways.dot.gov Lsafety/ proven-safety-counter measures and https://hlgh ways.dot.gov /sltes/fhwa.dot. gov /files/2022-06/techSheet RRFB 2018.pdf. FHWA-SA-21-053 Rectangular Rapid Flashlng Beacons (RRFB) A marked crosswalk or pedestrian warning sign can Improve safety for pedestrians crossing the road, but at times may not be sufficient for drivers to visibly locate crossing locations and yield to pedestrians. To enhance pedestrian consplcuity and Increase driver awareness at uncontrolled, marked crosswalks, transportation agencies can install a pedestrian actuated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) to accompany a pedestrian warning sign. RRFBs consist of two. rectangular-shaped yellow indications. each with a light-emitting diode (LED)-array-based light source.1 RRFBs flash with an alternating high frequency when activated to enhance conspicuity of pedestrians at the crossing to drivers. Transportation agencies should refer to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for information on the application of RRFBs.1 Applications The RRFB is applicable to many types of pedestrian crossings but is particularly effective at multilane crossings with speed limits less than 40 miles per hour.2 Research suggests RRFBs can result in motorist yielding rates as high at 98 percent at marked crosswalks, but varies depending on the location. posted speed limit, pedestrian crossing distance. one-versus two-way road, and the number of travel lanes.3 RRFBs can also accompany school or trail crossing warning signs. RRFBs are placed on both sides of a crosswalk below the pedestrian crossing sign and above the diagonal downward arrow plaque pointing at the crossing.1 The flashing pattern can be activated with pushbuttons or passive (e.g .. video or infrared) pedestrian detection, and should be unlit when not activated. Considerations Agencies should:2 •Install RRFBs in the median ratherthan the far-side of the roadwayif there is a pedestrian refuge orother type of median. •Use solar-power panels to eliminatethe need for a power source. •ReseNe the use of RRFBs forlocations with significant pedestriansafety issues. as over-use of RRFBtreatments may diminish theireffectiveness. Agencies shall not:2 •Use RRFBs without the presence ofa pedestrian, school or trail crossingwarning sign. •Use RRFBs for crosswalks acrossapproaches controlled by YIELDsigns, STOP signs, traffic controlsignals, or pedestrian hybridbeacons, except for the approachor egress from a roundabout. l Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Chapter 4L. FHWA, (2023). 2 'Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon" In PEDSAFE: Pedestrian Safety Gulde and Countermeasure Selection System. FHWA, (2013). 3 Fitzpatrick et al. "WIii You Stop for Me? Roadway Design and Traffic Control Device Influences on Drivers Yielding to Pedestrians In a Crosswalk with a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon: Report No. TTI-CTS-0010. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, (2016). 4 (CMF ID: 2024) NCHRP Research Report 841 Development of Crash Modification Factors for Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing Treatments, (2017). ZERts}�8¼� AWESYSUMISHQWWEGETTHERE Rectangular Rapid­Flashing Beacon (RRFB) RRFBs are pedestrian-actuated conspicuity enhancements used in combination with a pedestrian, school, or trail crossing warning sign to improve safety at uncontrolled, marked crosswalks. The device includes two rectangular­shaped yellow indications, each with an LED-array-based light source, that flash with high frequency when activated. The RRFB is a treatment option at many types of established pedestrian crossings. Research indicates RRFBs can result in motorist yielding rates as high as 98 percent at marked crosswalks. However, yielding rates as low as 19 percent have also been noted. Compliance rates varied most per the city location, posted speed limit, crossing distance, and whether the road was one-or two-way. RRFBs are particularly effective at multilane crossings with speed limits less than 40 mph. Consider the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) instead for roadways with higher speeds. FHWA1s Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations (HSA-17-072) provides specific conditions where practitioners should strongly consider the PHB instead of the RRFB. US. Deportmen1 or Transportalion Federal Highway Administration �re Roads for a Safer future � l111ttitaHI lll1Hlw,1uf1t, 1111111/m SAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR EVERY PEDESTRIAN COUNTERMEASURE TECH SHEET CONSIDERATIONS FHWA has issued interim approval for the use of the RRFB (IA-21). State and local agencies must request and receive permission to use this interim approval before they can use the RRFB. IA-21 does not provide guidance or criteria based on number of lanes, speed, or traffic volumes. RRFBs are placed on both ends of a crosswalk. If the crosswalk contains a pedestrian refuge island or other type of median, an RRFB should be placed to the right of the crosswalk and on the median (instead of the left side of the crosswalk). References RRFBs typically draw power from standalone solar panel units, but may also be wired to a traditional power source. IA-21 provides conditions for the use of accessible pedestrian features with the RRFB assembly. When RRFBs are not in common use in a community, consider conducting an outreach effort to educate the public and law enforcement officers on their purpose and use. COST The cost associated with RRFB installation ranges from $4,500 to $52,000 each, with the average cost estimated at $22,250. These costs include the complete system installation with labor and materials. MUTCD section 2B. l 2 In-Street and Overhead Pedestrian Crossing Signs (Rl-6, Rl-6a, Rl-9, and Rl-9a). Fitzpatrick, K, M. Brewer, R. Avelar, and T. Lindheimer. "Will You Stop for Me? Roadway Design and Traffic Control Device lnftuences on Drivers Yielding to Pedestrians in a Crosswalk with a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon." Report No. TTI-CTS-0010. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, Texas. June 2016. https://static.tti.tamu. edu/tti. tamu. ed u/documents/TTI-CTS-001 o. pdf Federal Highway Administration. (2018). MUTCD -Interim Approval for Optional Use of Pedestrian-Actuated Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons at Uncontrolled Marked Crosswalks (IA-21 ). U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC. Federal Highway Administration. (2013). "Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon" in PEDSAFE: Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System. Available: http://WWW. pedbikesafe.org/PEDSAFE/countermeasures_detail.cfm?CM_NUM=54 Bushell, M., Poole, B., Zegeer, C., & Rodriguez, D. (2013). Costs for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Infrastructure Improvements: A Resource for Researchers, Engineers, Planners, and the General Public. Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.