Transportation Commission recommends adoption of Flower Mound crosswalk policy; unanimous vote

Flower Mound — The Transportation Commission voted unanimously Nov. 11 to recommend that staff adopt a town crosswalk policy that sets formal criteria for marking and removing pedestrian crossings.

Thomas, the presenting staff member, told commissioners the policy replaces informal, case‑by‑case decisions with a data‑driven four‑step evaluation for uncontrolled locations — field review, comprehensive data collection, evaluation against thresholds, and selection of crossing treatments. "The purpose of presenting tonight is to describe what a crosswalk is, and give some legal context, and provide an overview of [the] evaluation process," Thomas said.

Under the proposal, signalized intersections and roundabouts should have crosswalks marked on every approach unless an exception applies (heavy turning volumes, poor sight distance, or lack of curb ramps). For uncontrolled locations the policy sets pedestrian-count thresholds intended to ensure yield compliance: 20 pedestrians per hour, 15 pedestrians in any two hours, or 10 pedestrians in any three hours (counts need not be consecutive). The policy also doubles counts for certain vulnerable users (young, elderly, disabled) toward meeting those thresholds.

Thomas cited spacing rules (typically 300 feet between marked crossings; 200 feet in central business districts; 150 feet in cases where crossing volume is double the minimum threshold) and said the policy follows Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and AASHTO visibility guidance. He also advised that decorative or colored pavement markings discouraged by the Texas MUTCD will not be used for crosswalks in town and that curb ramps must be provided or funding identified before marking a crosswalk.

Commissioners asked about the timeline and who collects counts. Thomas said staff typically conducts counts over multiple days and that one staff member can perform field reviews and oversee volume collection; weather and site conditions could extend the timeline.

A commissioner moved "to recommend adoption of the town crosswalk policy" and the motion passed on a unanimous voice roll call. The recorded aye votes were listed in the meeting: Commissioner Berrios; Commissioner Landry; Commissioner Mulder; Vice Chair Clark; Commissioner Hughes; Commissioner Morriero.

The commission's vote is a recommendation to staff; the policy sets formal criteria for future crosswalk installations, prioritization and removal procedures, and community notification steps for removal or major changes.