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Consultant recommends signage, enforcement and curb extensions in Hinsdale downtown safety study
Summary
Consultant KLOA presented a downtown traffic and pedestrian safety study recommending near-term signage, enforcement and high-visibility crosswalks, plus phased capital improvements (curb extensions, wider sidewalks); village staff plans signage and striping this year and will coordinate larger Garfield Street work with a 2029 federal resurfacing project.
HINSDALE, Ill. — A consultant presented findings and recommendations Tuesday to the Public Safety and Transportation Commission after a nine-month downtown traffic and pedestrian safety study, urging a mix of near-term, low-cost measures and longer-term capital projects to calm traffic and improve crossings.
Michael Worthman, a principal with KLOA, said the study found the central business district generally operates well below roadway capacity and most intersections perform at high levels of service, but rail crossings, parking maneuvers and post-train surges create spot congestion. "Continue current speed enforcement in the downtown as always. Make sure those people are driving at 20 miles an hour," Worthman said, calling enforcement one of the study's "low-hanging fruit."
The study area — bounded by Maple Street, Garfield Street, 2nd Street and Grant Street — included counts at 15 intersections, daily traffic counts at six road sections and a review of five-plus years of crash data. Worthman reported nine pedestrian/bicycle crashes over a 5½-year period and said existing pedestrian infrastructure, a 20 mph downtown speed limit and curb extensions contribute to a relatively low crash rate.
KLOA’s recommendations were organized into phases. Near-term actions include increasing speed and short-term parking enforcement, upgrading signage (such as adding fluorescent borders to 20 mph signs), installing high-visibility ladder-style crosswalks where appropriate, and better marking of on-street parking stalls. Longer-term proposals include extending curb extensions and widening sidewalks on 1st Street to support permanent outdoor dining, tightening corner radii to slow turns, and removing or realigning certain mid-block crossings where they conflict with traffic flows.
Commissioners questioned a proposed mid-block crossing near the post office, noting low pedestrian demand and the risk of encouraging crossings where drivers do not stop. Worthman advised two options: remove crossings and direct pedestrians to other crossings, or retain them but upgrade design and signage to improve safety. Village staff and the police emphasized that some risk is behavioral and that design can help direct walking patterns.
Matt (village staff) told commissioners most signage and crosswalk markings are planned for completion this year. He said a federal grant will fund the resurfacing of Garfield Street, with construction currently scheduled for 2029 and engineering starting in 2028; the commission could coordinate intersection improvements with that project. Staff has proposed adding 16 signs, removing 9 and replacing 21 signs for a net increase of seven signs in the downtown area.
With consensus from the commission, President Hart said the commission will forward the recommendations to the village board for further review and potential approval. The village will prepare bid documents for sign replacements and markings and return to the board for authorization of construction and funding.
