Committee directs staff to study crosswalk improvements at 8th Street and 8th Avenue after safety concerns

The Public Safety Committee directed staff to perform a pedestrian impact/traffic study for the crossing at 8th Street and 8th Avenue after staff relayed complaints that a pedestrian at the Kwik Trip area had "almost gotten hit multiple times." Staff presented several mitigation options, including solar-powered, LED flashing beacons on curb and median, LED-lit pedestrian signs with push-button activation, and digital speed-alert signs.

Staff said a typical LED-beacon setup could cost about $10,000–$12,000 based on pricing they had gathered for a hospital crossing; with an additional median-mounted unit the transcript records a follow-up figure as "closer to $20.25" (the committee asked staff to clarify that figure). A committee member warned of research from Madison reporting that flashing beacons sometimes correlate with more incidents because pedestrians gain confidence and multiple traffic lanes can make visibility inconsistent.

Committee members and staff discussed targeting the east crossing—near senior housing and the Kwik Trip exit—because staff observed higher pedestrian volume there. Staff confirmed painted crosswalks already exist on both crossings and suggested adding median-mounted treatments so drivers in both lanes would see crossing signals. Staff also said the beacon systems discussed are push-button activated and would only flash when triggered by a pedestrian; staff will confirm whether one button can activate both sides across the median.

Rather than adopt a specific solution at the meeting, the committee gave direction to staff to do a more detailed pedestrian impact analysis/traffic study and return with findings and recommendations.