Title
Resolution in Support of Additional Pedestrian Safety Improvements at Huron High School Including Street Lighting, Consistent Traffic Enforcement and Assignment of Crossing Guards
Body
Whereas, City Council established and re-affirmed "Safe Systems for Auto, Pedestrian and Bike Users" as a Council budget priority and the City, Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS), and the citizen-based group A2SafeTransport all have identified the need for pedestrian safety improvements at Huron High School;
Whereas, City Council approved three resolutions during the last 21 months related to pedestrian safety improvements at Huron High School:
• March 2016 - Improvements to the pedestrian crosswalk on Huron Parkway north of Geddes at Huron HS
• November 2016 - New streetlights at the Fuller Road crosswalk at Huron HS and the entrance to Gallup Park
• February 2017 - Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB)installed at the Fuller Road crosswalk at Huron HS and the entrance to Gallup Park;
Whereas, Subsequent to those three improvements, the City also has installed gateway treatments on Fuller Road and electronic speed limit signs on Fuller Road and Huron Parkway will be installed in the near future;
Whereas, The recent accident on Huron Parkway involving a student on a bicycle demonstrates that further safety enhancements are appropriate and City Administrator Lazarus has indicated the City is evaluating converting the existing RRFB to a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Beacon and the City is working with AAPS to increase educational and encouragement efforts/messaging and with AAATA to drop-off students on the school side of Huron Parkway (avoiding the need to cross Huron Parkway);
Whereas, Concerned residents and parents have appropriately expressed the need for consistent police traffic enforcement in the area and crossing guards at crosswalks in peak (7:15-8:15AM and 2:30-3:30PM) pedestrian activity periods and have indicated that while the new lighting has improved conditions at the Fuller Road crosswalk, similar lighting improvements are necessary at the Huron Parkway crosswalk and surrounding area;
Whereas, On Huron Parkway between Plymouth and Fuller, the only existing streetlights are at Hubbard, Glazier Way, and Baxter Road and during certain times of the year, the Huron Parkway school crossing area is dark in the morning peak period; and
Whereas, The costs for crossing guards are minimal ($13.00 per hour) and are shared 50/50 with AAPS and City Council adopted a budget amendment in May to add $150,000 to the FY18 budget for new streetlights;
Resolved, That City Council endorses the additional pedestrian safety enhancements at Huron High School referenced by the City Administrator (revised AAATA bus drop-off, increased education, consideration of converting the RRFB to HAWK) and City Council encourages the City to ensure consistent traffic enforcement in the area and work with AAPS to deploy crossing guards during the peak pedestrian activity periods as soon as possible; and
Resolved, That City Council directs the City Administrator to evaluate additional street lighting on Huron Parkway and present to Council staff's recommendations on street lighting (potential locations and cost) as well as a status report on the other related pedestrian safety-related improvements within 60 days.
Sponsored by Councilmembers Lumm and Westphal and Mayor Taylor
November 2, 2017