Installing a Marked Crosswalk
Q: Will you install a marked crosswalk at [this] location?
A: The TAC considers installation of marked crosswalks at both intersections featuring existing unmarked crosswalks and at uncontrolled mid-block locations. The Federal Public Right-Of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) define a crosswalk as the following:
That part of a roadway that is located at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the pedestrian circulation paths on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway, and in the absence of a pedestrian circulation path on one side of the roadway, the part of a roadway included within the extension of the lateral lines of the pedestrian circulation path at right angles to the center line; or at any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated as a pedestrian crossing by pavement marking lines on the surface.
Crosswalks at intersections may be marked or unmarked.
Unmarked crossings at intersections may be controlled (either by a traffic signal or by Stop/Yield signs) or uncontrolled. Where the TAC considers installation of a marked crosswalk to be in the interest of pedestrian safety at an intersection, we will recommend striping the crosswalk and may recommend other changes to existing traffic control, such as moving the stop bars on controlled approaches or installing an RRFB or additional signage on an uncontrolled approach.
When a mid-block crossing is requested, an engineering study must be conducted to determine whether installing a marked crosswalk is both feasible and in the interest of pedestrian safety, prior to installation. Such as study considers the following:
- Speed and average daily traffic on the roadway;
- Roadway geometry, including number of travel lanes, total crossing distance, and presence of a median that could serve as a pedestrian refuge;
- Expected volume of pedestrians using the proposed crosswalk;
- Any appropriate enhanced treatments to implement, including but not limited to high visibility striping; curb extensions/bulb-outs; modifications to a raised median; and/or application of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon/High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), or yellow flashing beacons; and
- Feasibility of required physical improvements, including but not limited to installing curb ramps and complying with maximum longitudinal slope and cross slope in the crosswalk as specified by PROWAG.