Letter from Mayor Hiefje and Response from Resident

Hi Matt:

I will have the recent cross walk ordinance change sent to you.

There is a packet available for pick up at the clerk’s office that contains instructions on the traffic calming process and how streets are judged to qualify. There are a minimum and maximum numbers of cars that figure into the qualifications.

I don’t know the traffic count on 7th but my guess is that it may have too many cars to qualify for calming. Our engineers may have a recent count but if not, it could be redone. I will find out what they know.

I don’t know the original plan for 7th but I would guess it evolved into what it is long ago. My earliest memories of 7th come from when I used to live on Princeton as a kid in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. It was already a major connector.

The City’s traffic calming program is based on national models, what has worked and has not worked in other places but we made it a little easier to qualify than some other programs.

If you give me the cross streets on 7th that you are concerned with, I can ask for increased speed limit enforcement. It usually helps in the short term.

Thanks for writing.

John Hieftje

RESPONSE
John: Thanks so much for your quick reply and mutual concern.

I'm not sure there are any safe crosswalks on 7th. But, the worst is perhaps 7th at Washington. We have never seen any traffic enforcement. However, we regularly see auto accidents at that intersection (and hear squealing tires and near misses on a daily basis) . It is only a matter of time before one of these accidents involves a pedestrian or a cyclist.

Increased traffic enforcement would be a good start. Drivers also need to be educated about the pedestrian right of ways. Cities like Portland, Santa Monica, Sarasota, Orlando, all have a culture of pedestrian right-of-way. We share the experience with others who have newly arrived from the west coast who have nearly been rear-ended when we stop for pedestrians.

Children from the Slauson often attempt to cross down by Waterworks Park - where there is no cross walk (but should be). Kelly and I watched from our porch as one girl tripped in front of an oncoming - speeding - car. Our hearts sank - the car screeched - but no one was hurt . . . this time. The road dips and traffic routinely travels well above the speed limit as the cars come down the hill from Huron and Liberty. There is no stop sign or stop signal at Washington and 7th. Vehicles should - but rarely ever do - stop for pedestrians. Not the other way around.

The other day I watch a pregnant woman and her toddler in a stroller unable to cross the street and having to run back to the curb as traffic sped through the cross walk. It's astonishing. I travel around the country where cars stop dead in their tracks to allow pedestrians on the sidewalk to enter a cross walk.

The culture in Ann Arbor must be changed if we are going to have a truly walkable, bikeable and sustainable community. It should be part of Step 1 in the sustainability process: restore priority to pedestrians, bikes and public transportation.

The history of how 7th became a through-fare is irrelevant to the 80 year old woman or any pedestrian who fears for their life as they cross any part of 7th. The fact are these: it is a 100% residential street. If there are issues with the law . . . then the law will need to be changed. But, leaving it as is would not be acceptable for the residents of the OWS and would not be in-sync with our sustainabiltiy goals.

It also makes no sense that there are "too many cars" for calming. "Too many cars" is exactly the reason for calming.

I was recently working in Portland, OR for over a week. There are streets with far great traffic than 7th which have very effective calming. First, cars stop for pedestrians - always - no exceptions. Second, every intersection has a mini-traffic circle which reduces speed to 15 mph. Third, the speed limit is 25 mph and is strictly enforced. Not surprisingly, driving is down, walking and biking are rising rapidly. Everyone is happier with the changes.