8.3 School Safety Report CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
06~26~00 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: APPROVED FOR
NO. 8 AGENDA:
Engineering & General Services
ITEM r~
NO. 3 BY: Shawn O'Lea BY: ~
ITEM
Report on School Safety Concerns at Belmont Boulevard and Roach Street(Grace Stewart
Elementary School).
BACKGROUND
This item was referred to the City Commission by the School Safety Committee and at the request of
several citizens. The School Safety Committee met on Thursday, May 4, 2000 to discuss the issue.
The staff report presented to the School Safety Committee is attached for your information.
The general request from the citizens is to install a 20 mph reduced speed school zone on Belmont
Boulevard at the intersection with Roach Street to improve the safety of children who cross the
intersection for access to school. After reviewing the staff report and hearing the concerns from the
citizens/parents, the School Safety Committee voted to recommend no change in the posted speed
limit on Belmont Boulevard. However, the committee did recommend geometric improvements to
the intersection including the addition of left turn stacking lanes on Belmont.
Some reasons given by the School Safety Committee for their recommendations are as follow:
1. There have been no pedestrian accidents at the intersection in the recent past. The majority of
vehicular accidents at the intersection appear to be caused by a failure to yield to left-turning
vehicles.
2. While the Grace Stewart School grounds are technically adjacent to Belmont Boulevard, the
primary school operations are configured around the intersection of Roach Street and Wayne
Avenue, where 20 mph school zones currently exist. The school has operated nearly 40 years
without serious safety concerns regarding traffic on Belmont Boulevard.
3. The current speed limit on Belmont Boulevard, established when the street was opened in
1958, is 40 mph. There are no other locations in Salina where the speed limit is reduced from
40 mph to 20 mph in a short distance, for a school zone or otherwise. If a reduced speed
school zone is installed on Belmont Boulevard at this location, there are numerous other
locations in Salina in the vicinity of schools where the same or similar conditions would
apply. Some of those locations with 35 or 40 mph speed limits include Ohio Street,
Broadway Boulevard and Crawford Street and Schilling Road.
CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
06/26/00 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: APPROVED FOR
NO. 8 AGENDA:
Engineering & General Services
ITEM
NO. 3 BY: Shawn O'Leary BY:
Page 2
4. An improperly placed speed zone on Belmont Boulevard could result in a "speed trap" for
drivers, a false sense of security for pedestrians and the potential for additional rear-end
accidents caused by the abrupt slowing of traffic from 40 mph to 20 mph.
5. Other traffic control devices, besides reduced speed zones, have been found to be more
effective for school safety. Some of those devices include flashing lights, more visible signs,
pavement markings and signalized crosswalks. In addition, public education for parents and
children regarding school zones, pedestrian signals, etc. has been effectively conducted in the
past by city staff and USD305 staff at various schools.
6. The Grace Stewart School area and associated school safety issues are currently in a state of
flux due to two major capital improvement projects. First, the South Ohio Street Corridor
Improvement Project has redirected more traffic onto Belmont Boulevard, which has resulted
in more "short-term" traffic accidents at the intersection with Roach Street. However, that
project will provide numerous school, pedestrian and traffic safety improvements for the area
upon completion. Secondly, a major expansion of Grace Stewart Elementary School is
currently under design as part of the USD305 Bond Issue Program. Presumably, that
expansion will have some effects on the movement of students in and around the facility.
Following the school safety committee meeting, city staff continued to research the matter in an
effort to find additional, appropriate improvements that may address the safety concerns regarding
school children. The following list includes some optional improvements that the City Commission
may wish to consider:
a. Lower the posted speed limit on Belmont Boulevard, between Ohio Street and Ninth Street, from
40 mph to 35 mph. The 35 mph speed limit has been successfully used on other major streets in
Salina including Crawford Street, Magnolia Road, South Ninth Street and Schilling Road. In
addition, the speed surveys taken by staff on Belmont indicate that a 35 mph limit or the current
40 mph limit would be reasonable and consistent with traffic engineering requirements.
b. Install flashing lights with school zone signs in advance of the Belmont/Roach intersection
similar to those used on South Ohio Street for Huesner Elementary School and on West Schilling
Road for Schilling Elementary School. This installation would include the new, highly visible
fluorescent pedestrian crossing signs. The speed limit would remain at 35 mph.
CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
06~26~00 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: APPROVED FOR
NO. 8 Engineering & General Services AGENDA:
ITEM
NO. 3 BY: Shawn O'Leary BY:
Page 3
c. Install new style of pavement markings (for Salina) indicating "SCHOOL" on Belmont
Boulevard in advance of the Roach Street intersection. This type of marking would be reserved
for case by case applications on higher speed streets in the vicinity of elementary schools. Please
see the attached sample drawing.
d. Install left turn stacking lanes on Belmont Boulevard at Roach Street as a 2001 capital
improvement project. The estimated cost of the project is $60,000. Please see attached sketch.
e. Direct city staff to review the impacts of the South Ohio Street Corridor Improvement Project on
the Belmont/Roach intersection in the Spring, 2001. Also, direct staff to work closely with
USD305 and the architect for the school building expansion to enhance school safety features for
Grace Stewart School.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Commission consider the following alternatives:
Option 1: Accept the recommendation of the School Safety Committee leaving the speed at 40
mph, but adding left turn stacking lanes on Belmont Boulevard.
Option 2: Accept the recommendation of the School Safety Committee with the addition of the
above additional conditions, e.g. 35 mph speed limit for the entire length of Belmont,
flashing school zone warning lights, new pavement markings and left turn stacking
lanes on Belmont Boulevard.
Option 3: Reject the recommendation of the School Safety Committee and adopt the request of
the concerned citizens to reduce the speed limit on Belmont Boulevard from 40 mph
to 20 mph near the intersection with Roach Street.
Option 4: Other action as deemed appropriate by the City Commission.
CENTER ST,
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Figure 7-2. Two-lane pavement marking--detail of word "SCHOOL".
Figure 7-3. Single-lane pavement marking--"SCHOOL".
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REPORT ON
SCHOOL SAFETY ISSUES AT
BELMONT BOULEVARD AND ROACH STREET
(Grace Stewart Elementary SchooO
Between the dates of January 19 and February 27, 2000, the city engineering department
received several letters or post cards ~om interested citizens and parents of children
attending Grace Stewart Elementary School regarding the safety of children at the
intersection of Belmont Boulevard and Roach Street. Please find attached copies of that
correspondence.
Pursuant to the concerns raised by the citizens, the City Engineering Department
conducted a thorough review of all traffic conditions at the intersection as well as the
surrounding area. The review consisted of the following elements:
1. Traffic speed study on Belmont Boulevard.
2. Traffic volume study including all movements at the intersection.
3. Traffic accident analysis at the intersection for 1995-2000.
4. Evaluation of the traffic signal system.
5. Geometric analysis of the intersection.
6. Video taping of typical school pedestrian activity.
7. Comparison to other elementary school zones in Salina.
8. Full review by the City Traffic Safety Team.
Following are the findings of the aforementioned staffreview:
TRAFFIC SPEED STUDY
Data was collected on Monday, February 7, 2000 between 2:53 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for
vehicles on Belmont Boulevard travelling in both directions. There were 105 vehicles
travelling southwesterly and 100 vehicles travelling northeasterly. The posted speed limit
on Belmont Boulevard is 40 mph. The average speed of travel was 37.7 mph for
southwest-bound vehicles and 38.1 mph for northeast-bound vehicles. The 85t~
percentile speed, or the speed at or below which 85 percent of all vehicles were
travelling, was 40.8 and 41.5 mph respectively.
TRAFFIC VOLUME STUDY
Data was collected on Thursday, March 9, 2000 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and on
Friday, March 10, 2000 between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on all legs of the intersection.
During the afternoon period, the total volume of traffic on all legs of the intersection was
757 vehicles. The predominant volume of travel was on south leg of Belmont Boulevard
with 668 vehicles. The predominant turning movement was northeast-bound on Belmont
Boulevard mining northwe~'bound onto Roach Street at 87 vehicles. The next largest
turning movement is southeast-bound on Roach Street turning southwest-bound onto
Belmont Boulevard at 68 vehicles. The average daily traffic on Belmont Boulevard is
approximately 8600 vehicles per day while the traffic on Roach Street is roughly 1500
vehicles per day.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ANALYSIS
Data was derived from traffic accident records at the Salina Police Department. The data
was collected and diagramed for five full years from 1995 to 1999 as well as the current
year of 2000(up to April 20, 2000). There was a total of 24 accidents and an average of
4.8 accidents per year between 1995-1999. There have been 6 accidents in 2000. There
has been an increase in accidents at this intersection since the Ohio Street Corridor
Project began construction in March, 2000. That is a common occurrence caused by
major traffic detours. Of the 30 total accidents, 18 involved property damage only while
12 included personal injuries. There is no record of any pedestrian or bicycle accidents at
the intersection in that period of time. The predominant type of accidem was "right
angle" while the predominant cause of accidents was a "failure to yield" to the oncoming
vehicle.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL EVALUATION
The traffic signal system at this intersection was installed in 1976. The signal system
includes on-demand traffic operation, overhead mast arms, two-phase traffic sequencing,
button-activated pedestrian signals. The system is highly reliable with a very low record
of maintenance problems or malfunctions. The pedestrian signals provide 29 seconds of
"walk-don't walk" phasing in compliance with the Kansas state traffe ordinance and the
nationally-endorsed Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD). During the
pedestrian signal phase, the opposing vehicular traffic at the intersection is controlled by
a red light. In addition to the traffic signal system, the intersection is well equipped with
handicap-accessible sidewalk ramps, painted crosswalks and an intermediate(median)
pedestrian signal push button.
GEOMETRIC ANALYSIS ,OF THE INTERSECTION
Belmom Boulevard is designed as a four-lane divided parkway with a raised, landscaped
median. The right-of-way on Belmom is 120 feet while Roach comains 60 feet of right-
of-way. The width ofeach traveled way on Belmom is 24 feet ortwo 12-foot lanes. The
width of the median is 40 feet. The width of Roach Street is 32 feet wide or two 16-foot
lanes. The walking distance to cross Belmont Boulevard along Roach Street is
approximately 90 feet. At a walking speed of 4 feet per second, it would take about 22.5
seconds to cross Belmont.
COMPARISON WITH OTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN SALINA
Grace Stewart Elementary School is uniquely located on a very large tract of land that is
bordered by Wayne Street on the north, Roach Street on the west and Belmont Boulevard
on the south and east. The school building is located at the intersection of Wayne and
Roach, which is 600-800 feet from Belmont Boulevard. The primary entrance and drop-
off location for the school is oriented to Wayne Street. There is no vehicular or
pedestrian access to the school from Belmont Boulevard with the exceptions of the
intersections at Roach Street and Wayne Street. Thc published "safe walking routes"
around the school site are on Roach Street and Wayne Street.
City staff finds no similarly situated elementary schools in Salina to Grace Stewart
Elementary School. For instance, Franklin Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary
School and Bartlett Elementary School are oriented to and located within 50 feet of South
Ninth Street. Hageman Elementary School and St. Mary's Grade School are oriented to
and located within 50-100 feet of Cloud Street. Oakdale Elementary School is oriented
to and located within 50 feet of Iron Avenue. In each of those locations, signalized
pedestrian crosswalks exist as well as reduced speed 20 mph school zones due to the
congregation of school children along the major arterial street. Another interesting
example would be Huesner Elementary School which is three blocks from South Ohio
Street where there remains a 40 mph speed zone, signalized pedestrian crosswalk and no
reduced speed school zone.
TRAFFIC SAFETY TEAM REVIEW
The City Traffic Safety Team met on March 23, 2000 to discuss this case and several
other pending traffic safety issues in Salina. That team is made up of city staff from
police, municipal court, fire, traffic control and engineering departments. The
recommendation of the team was to maintain the status quo at the intersection in terms of
traffic control devices, speed limits and pedestrian systems. However, it was
recommended that let'r turn stacking' lanes be constructed and the traffic signals modified
on Belmont Boulevard in both directions to reduce driver confusion and traffic accidents.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The School Safety Committee may wish to consider the following alternative
recommendations to the City Commission:
I. No changes to the intersection.
2. That lef~ mm stacking lanes be constructed and the traffic signals modified on
Belmont Boulevard in both directions as recommended by the City Traffic Safety
Team~
3. Additional signage, speed zones or other traffic control devices be installed at or
near the intersection.
4. Other alternatives deemed appropriate by the committee.
I DESIG~D SAFE.. %~A I-)~]-NG ROUTE
i , STEWART ~T.~'M~NTARY~~L
!
LEGEND
I SAFE SCHOOL ROUTE
®.
· ' SIGNAL OR
SIC. d'4A~ED CROSSING
I
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe tbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered ['rom 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address-
{_
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe tbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date l'rinted Name Signature Address~
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature ,Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe tbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed N amc Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address-
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing,
lights
Date Printed Name Signa~ ,Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered t¥om 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights.
Date Printed Name Signature Address-
Because the crossing at Behnont and Roach is unsafe tbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Behnont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights.
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe tbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Behnont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Because the crossing at Behnont and Roach is unsate Ior scPtool cBil01 eh, the speed
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Behnont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Behnont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe ~br school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address,
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
[)ate Printed Name Signature/,7 Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe tbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with tlashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
/ -,J,-oZ: ·
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights.
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe l-hr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Behnont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signatu/~)~// // Address
- , , , ~' , , i~Ej,· _-~
i .~--~) ~ ~ ..')
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights.
Date Printed Name Signature Address
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe tbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address-
~ ¥5' .... ".-; --- --
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph during school arrival and dismissal times.
Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing lights.
Date Printed Name Signature Address
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Na~ne Signature Address-
Because the crossing at Belmonl and Roach is unsafe l-bt school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date l)rmted Name Signature ,Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered/'rom 40 mph t° 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights.
Date Printed Name Signature Address-
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe tbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe fbr school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 4~(:mpnw-o--70-~n Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights
Date Printed Name Signature Address.
Because the crossing at Belmont and Roach is unsafe for school children, the speed limit
should be lowered from 40 mph to 20 mph on Belmont at Roach during school arrival and
dismissal times. Drivers should be alerted to this change in speed limits with flashing
lights.
Date Primed Name --Signature Address