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Town staff present pedestrian toolbox and crossing-treatment guidelines; council set to consider adoption
Summary
Consultants and staff outlined a 13-tool pedestrian toolbox, a crossing-treatment decision framework and an internal dashboard that lists 38 candidate locations; staff said the toolbox will be presented for formal adoption at next Tuesday's council meeting and that $150,000 is budgeted for initial implementation.
Town staff and consultants presented a formal pedestrian toolbox and crossing-treatment guidelines to the Addison City Council during the April 7 work session, saying the document is intended to help staff choose appropriate safety treatments and to inform the public what improvements may be requested.
Christian Dileko of Kimley Horn said the toolbox defines 13 potential treatments ranging from basic infrastructure (sidewalks, curb ramps, marked crosswalks) to more technical devices (pedestrian hybrid beacons and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, or RRFBs) and intervals such as Leading Pedestrian Intervals. "We wanted to translate what we heard from the community about safety and comfort into a set of tools that can be turned into actionable projects," Christian said.
Staff described an accompanying crossing-treatment process that uses roadway speed, vehicle and pedestrian volumes, sight-distance and location type (intersection versus midblock) to prioritize sites and choose treatments. A color-coded map and internal dashboard list 38 candidate locations: 11 proposed new crossings, 25 crossing improvements and 4 future-evaluation sites. Staff said the map uses a green star for proposed new crossings, orange for existing crosswalks that need upgrades, and blue for future evaluation sites; staff acknowledged a map-coloring error for project #16 and said it would be corrected.
On activation and technology, staff said many RRFB installations remain push-button activated, but the town is piloting sensor-driven flashing signs in selected locations. "They're both push-button but we are piloting some new technology to make them more censored," staff said, explaining the intent to target sensor use where it can improve safety.
Funding and timing: staff said the toolbox will come back to council the following Tuesday for formal adoption and implementation. The town included $150,000 in this year's budget to begin executing projects; additional funding sources under consideration include TxDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grants, bond-funded CIP projects and maintenance funding. Staff emphasized that projects already identified through bond or grant programs will still follow project-specific engineering and design as required.
Council members asked how locations would be prioritized, whether colored crosswalk paint was allowed under Texas manuals, and if trail safety markers or 911 stations could be expanded. Staff said the state's design guidance and the (Texas) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices would guide permissible treatments and cited coordination with TxDOT when HSIP projects move forward.
The council did not take formal action at the work session; staff said it will return with the adoption ordinance and any final adjustments after incorporating council feedback.
