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Committees recommend longitudinal bar‑pair high‑visibility crosswalks; green paint left as future option
Summary
After staff raised maintenance and equipment costs for green bicycle crossing paint, both committees recommended a longitudinal bar‑pair high‑visibility (white) crosswalk treatment now, with the option to add green paint later and a staff cost comparison by the next joint meeting.
Scott Heacock, associate planner, presented options for improving visibility at conflict points where bike paths cross driveways and parking-lot accesses. Staff favored ladder or bar‑pair high‑visibility white markings consistent with MUTCD options and recommended leaving the green-paint discussion open pending capacity and cost analysis.
Several committee members and public commenters urged use of green paint — citing examples from Madison and arguing it improves visibility for bicyclists. Public Works staff and the city engineer warned this would require specialized equipment or contracting and raised concerns about long‑term maintenance and storage capacity at the Middleton operations center.
After discussion, Ped/Bike/Transit moved to recommend the longitudinal bar‑pair (white high‑visibility) marking with the explicit option to add green paint in the future and a directive for staff to compare costs (borrowing equipment versus contracting) ahead of the next joint meeting. Public Works adopted an identical motion. Committees also asked staff to consider contrast techniques (e.g., black undercoat before white) and to plan for operational constraints such as equipment storage.
Next steps: staff will prepare cost comparisons and an implementation timeline to present at the next joint meeting; language reflecting the committee recommendation will be included in the active transportation plan draft.
