"STOP & YIELD": Ann Arbor's New Pedestrian Law is the Strongest in Nation

via: Ann Arbor Chronicle

Thanks to Councilman Carsten Hohnke, Mayor Hiefje and the WBWC, Ann Arbor has a new pedestrian ordinance!

It is modeled after a Boulder, CO ordinance that has been successfully used for 21 years. But, Ann Arbor added unambiguous language requiring motorists to stop and yield to pedestrians. This gives Ann Arbor the strongest legal protection for pedestrians in the nation.

The old ordinance required pedestrians to physically walk in front of a vehicle in order to claim the right-of-way. The new ordinance removes the negotiation between walkers and motorizing rapidly moving steel and brings balance between the rights of drivers and pedestrians.

Before the change, it read:

[Old Language] 10:148. Pedestrians crossing streets.
(a) No pedestrian shall cross a street at a location other than at a crosswalk into which vehicle traffic is then restricted by a traffic control device unless such crossing may be done safely and without interfering with motor vehicle and bicycle traffic on that street.
(b) When traffic-control signals are not in place or are not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger, but a pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into a path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

The ordinance revision provides greater protection for pedestrians approaching crosswalks. The revision requires motorists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians not just in crosswalks, but also approaching them. Previous language was stricken, which limited the requirement on motorists to yield only to pedestrians in the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling.

In the course of deliberations, the “yield” language was strengthened to include “stop.” Additional language amended at the council table is in italics.

[New Language] 10:148. Pedestrians crossing streets.
(a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or are not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right-of-way to every pedestrian approaching or within a crosswalk.
(b) A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into a path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
(c) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

About Mini-Traffic Circles (aka Neighborhood Traffic Circles or Mini-Roundabouts)

Mini traffic circles are raised circular islands constructed in the center of residential or local street intersections. Mini cricles are a traffic calming intersection treatment employing yield control. They may also be used at uncontrolled junctions. Signs should be installed directing motorists to proceed to the right around the circle before turning right, passing through or making a left turn. Entering traffic yields to traffic in the circle and both entering and exiting vehicles should yield to pedestrians crossing the legs of the approaches to the intersection. Mini circles are commonly landscaped (often with a center tree and low-growing shrubs, flowers, or grasses). In some communities, the city may require the neighborhood to maintain the plantings. In locations where landscaping is infeasible, traffic circles can be made more aesthetically pleasing by using special paving materials.

The primary benefit to bicyclists is that, like roundabouts, mini circles slow traffic approaching the junctions by forcing motorists to maneuver counterclockwise around them. Mini circles also reduce the number of conflict points at intersections. Mini circles have been found to reduce motor vehicle crashes at the involved intersections by 90 percent or more in Seattle, WA. Mini circles may provide one of the largest safety benefits of all the traffic calming devices. Most impact studies suggest they have a nominal impact on traffic volumes, so the reduction in crashes is apparently not due to diverting traffic to other streets.

Mini circles must be properly designed with enough deflection to slow vehicles to provide safety benefits to bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Pedestrians with vision impairments will, however, find fewer cues to identify a gap to cross when traffic does not stop. Additionally, right-turning vehicles are not (stop) controlled at intersections with mini circles, potentially putting pedestrians at risk. Therefore, narrow curve radii should complement this treatment to discourage fast right-turn maneuvers. Adding splitter islands with pedestrian cuts to the legs of the intersection makes crossing easier for pedestrians, especially wheelchair users. Splitter islands also direct vehicles entering the intersection but require additional space.

The occasional larger vehicle going through an intersection with a traffic circle (e.g., a fire truck or moving van) can be accommodated by allowing these vehicles to make left turns in front of the circle or by creating a mountable curb in the outer portion of the circle. 

Purpose
Manage traffic at intersections where volumes do not warrant a stop sign or a signal.
Reduce crash problems at the intersection of two local streets.
Reduce vehicle speeds at the intersection.

Considerations

Consider whether bicyclists may be "squeezed" in traffic circles by overtaking motor vehicles.

This type of problem is not likely on low-volume streets, but should be considered where vehicle and bicycle volumes are higher.

Keep the turning radii low to reduce turning speeds and improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Larger vehicles that need access to streets (e.g., school buses and fire engines) may need to make left turns in front of the circle, or accommodation may be made with mountable curbs on the perimeter of the circle.

Use yield, not stop, controls.

Midblock speeds may not decline, or may even rise, if intersections and mini circles are widely spaced and no midblock traffic calming measures are introduced. Traffic circles are primarily used to manage traffic flow at intersections and reduce intersection speeds, but may be combined with other measures or frequent mini circles to achieve street-long traffic calming.
Pedestrians with vision impairments will find fewer cues to identify a gap to cross when traffic does not stop  [Note: Which is another reason why Ann Arbor must change its pedestrian right-of-way ordinance to require motorists to yield to pedestrians attempting to cross the street.  Pedestrians must have right-of-way in the entire cross walk].