Pedestrian Safety Study with Video Clip and Re-Design Recommendations at Park Rd. and Burlingame Av. Intersection for City of Burlingame and Citizens by PlanetShifter.com Networks

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Pedestrian Safety Study with Video Clip and Re-Design Recommendations at Park Rd. and Burlingame Av. Intersection for City of Burlingame and Citizens by PlanetShifter.com Networks

“The second most dangerous pedestrian safety mega-mess in the world. While zoning at Peet’s sidewalk “outdoor café”, violations abound constantly. Drivers blow through the intersections without stopping; cars without turn signals; automobiles slipping through the cross walks as if the folks in them were mere nuisance. We need a three-way traffic light in this mess!”

From: A safety flare from Burlingame, California. Editorial by Willi Paul, PlanetShifter.com
http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1534

As introduction, I am a sustainability consultant and a public relations professional; a former City Consultant at the Corp. Yard and a member of the recent Burlingame Google Fiber Optic Team.

Last week I met with City Traffic Engineer Augustine Chou and he has committed to conduct a 3-way stop traffic study at the Park Rd. and Burlingame Av. intersection. But he pushed this work off until later this year. My request to City Manager Jim Nantell to get this study done faster was not supported. He wrote via email: “Having lived and worked in this community for 35 years, my own personal experience leaves me feeling that the intersection you are inquiring about would not warrant skipping it ahead of other issues that the Traffic Commission has asked staff to work on. I will pass on the invite to join you, but since you plan on videotaping please feel free to share a copy with Augustine so he can review it to help inform his recommendation to the Traffic Commission.”

It is important to understand that both Mr. Chou and Acting-Police Chief Ed Wood both lament the reduction in police patrols and the overall traffic enforcement level currently in our City. The safety issues at this intersection are a combination of driver inattention, lawlessness and a general lack of concern for others, some of which I have documented in the video clip. Finally, I offer my own new pedestrian safety solutions for public review.

Mr. Wood did provide me with traffic violation stats but these are not presented here. This not about statistics but an ongoing unsafe and unsolved pedestrian safety quagmire that requires simple and immediate solution(s).

Video Clip

Violations Witnessed in Study :

• Running the stop sign
  
• Encroachment in the cross walks when pedestrians are still crossing
  
• Parking in the red zone by the fire hydrant next to Peet’s Coffee
  
• Drivers who double-up at the same intersection when the street is only a one lane of traffic in each direction
  
• Drivers who do not signal intent to turn
  
• Cars driving at with unsafe speeds (over 25 mph)
  
• Parking in the handicap space outside Apple Store without legal right to do so

Re-Design Recommendations:

• Use flower bed to erect a three-sided flashing sign when pedestrians are entering cross walks
  
• Three-way stop signs
  
• Mandate a 15 mph speed zone for Burlingame Av.
  
• Paint out, cone-off or extend 8” curb space next to red curb and hydrant
  
• Hanging three-way yellow flashing light
  
• Pedestrian cross buttons at all intersections and embedded street lights that flash
  
• Camera(s) to document traffic violators
  
• Lack of enforcement and no consequences when breaking laws and placing pedestrians in unsafe conditions
  Burlingame Av. Pedestrian Park
  
• Prohibit all traffic (except early AM deliveries) between Lorton Av. and Primrose Rd. and Burlingame Av. And create a pocket park with planter boxes, outdoor seating and a fountain.