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UDOT presents Center Street/US‑89 crossing study; signal not recommended but marked crosswalk possible
Summary
A Utah Department of Transportation engineer presented a signal and pedestrian-crossing study for Center Street and U.S. 89, finding current vehicle and pedestrian counts do not meet traffic-signal or marked-crosswalk warrants but recommending further steps including Safe Routes to School enrollment and possible enhanced crossing treatments.
A Utah Department of Transportation official told Orderville council that a recent study at Center Street and U.S. 89 did not meet national traffic-signal or marked-pedestrian-crosswalk warrants, but the site is close enough on some measures to justify further consideration.
Cody Marchant, a UDOT traffic engineer, said the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) defines a set of signal warrants and separate pedestrian warrants; for this location, vehicle and pedestrian counts fell short of the needed thresholds. “The traffic signal isn't used as a traffic calming measure, but to help with traffic operations,” Marchant said.
Marchant noted the study counted 46 pedestrians in a 12‑hour period and 11 in the peak hour; the pedestrian-signal warrant requires substantially more crossings (the signal pedestrian warrant requires about 75 in the highest hour). He also explained the “opportunity” analysis — usable gaps in traffic that allow pedestrians to cross — and said the peak-hour data produced about 42 opportunities in the busiest hour.
Because the study was done shortly after spring break, Marchant recommended the town consider adding the location to a Safe Routes to School plan and exploring additional counts during the summer high-tourism season or other targeted times. He said UDOT can pursue enhanced treatments — for example, pedestrian-activated flashing beacons — but the state typically will not fund those enhancements unless a location meets warrants or the town provides matching funds.
Council members and residents discussed relocation of crossing points, school-zone flashers and the potential for an under-highway trail crossing. Marchant said the Safe Routes to School program sometimes supports assemblies and education; the town’s enrollment of a crossing in a Safe Routes plan can improve the case for future treatments. The council took no formal vote; UDOT said it will continue internal review with central traffic safety staff and remain available to the town for follow-up.
