Frenchtown Borough Safe Streets Committee Walkability Audit 2013
TD Bank, Option to Use Ramp
Positive Conditions
Frenchtown Borough Safe Streets Committee Walkability Audit 2013
Concrete Slabs Replaced Near Trees on Upper 11th
Nice Buffer and Flat, Even Sidewalk
Visible, Continental Crosswalks, Detectable Warnings
Recommendations Short Term 1) Encourage local residents to prune overgrown shrubs and remove items that block views of traffic and the pathway of pedestrians. 2) Continue to enforce speed limit and “Stop for Pedestrian” law. Mid Term 1) Repaint crosswalks with continental design as outlined in Crosswalk Inventory Report (2011) 2) Institute sidewalk specifications/design guidelines for new sidewalks installed or replaced. 3) Revisit and update existing sidewalk ordinance to address concerns identified in audit. 4) Develop maintenance schedule for crosswalk maintenance and ensure that when crosswalks or sidewalks are impacted by construction projects that they are reinstalled quickly. 5) Consider installing bicycle sharrows on Harrison and Bridge Streets to raise awareness
On March 27, 2013, about a dozen volunteers set out to conduct a walking survey of Bridge Street, 2nd – 12th Streets and Harrison Street. With high visibility vests and clip boards in hand, volunteers set out to search for the 5 ingredients to a walkable community: Good Sidewalks Safe & Easy Crossings Traffic Calming Safety, Comfort and Beauty Great Destinations During the course of the walk, participants were asked to evaluate conditions from their perspective, as well as to consider what the walk would be like if they were a senior citizen, handicapped or a young child. The streets were assessed based on the 14 elements of walkability. This report provides a summary of the audit findings.
Long Term 1) Identify funding source for sidewalk construction to address continuity issues. 2) Apply for funding to provide for sidewalk infill throughout audit area. 3) Conduct further evaluation of street trees, utility poles to identify opportunities to reduce sidewalk conflicts.
This audit was prepared by HART Commuter Information Services, the non profit transportation management association serving Hunterdon County, NJ. www.harttma.com
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 1) Presence of sidewalks Sidewalks were typically present on both the north and south sides of the upper and lower streets. There were some exceptions where there were no sidewalks present for the entire length of the street. 2) Continuity of sidewalks In many cases there was a problem with the continuity of the sidewalk. Many audits reported that the sidewalk ended abruptly or there was a gap between properties. 3) Sidewalk width The Bridge Street the sidewalk varied in width, and the width was narrowed by obstructions like signs and flower boxes. From 2nd to 6th the sidewalks tended to be narrower with less buffers. From 7th to 12th, the sidewalks were wider and more buffers were present. Some reported that trees narrowed the sidewalks in certain places. 4) Sidewalk Condition Heaves and cracks were the most widespread sidewalk problems. These conditions are caused by tree roots rising to the surface to access water. Telephone poles, trees and bushes were reported in about half the streets. 5) ADA Accommodations Bridge Street was up to date with ADA accommodations. From 2nd to 6th curbs ramps lacked detectable warnings and were often bumpy. From 7th to 12th most curb ramps had detectable warning surfaces. Throughout Harrison, curbs ramps weren’t always aligned with the crosswalk. 6) Posted/ Perceived Speed Few to no speed limit signs were posted on the side streets. 7) Road width Most streets especially off the southern portion of Harrison were very narrow and tight with cars parked on the margin. 8) Bike Lanes No bike lanes or shoulders were marked. 9) Crosswalks There were no crosswalks on Milford Road only between the upper and lower parts of Harrison. Crosswalks from 2nd to 6th were consistently reported in poor condition with poor pedestrian visibility. From 7 th to 12th they appeared to be in better condition. 10) Motorist Behavior During the audit, few vehicles seemed to pass by the Harrison side streets. On Bridge Street, speeding, cell phone use and turning without looking were reported. 11) Additional Problems On Bridge Street, there isn’t a sidewalk near the Bridge Café and motorists coming from Race Street can’t see pedestrians very well. On the side streets, some comments were that cars parked in the wrong direction, cars parked too close to the intersection, curbs had very steep drop offs and sidewalks did not extend into the park. 12) The School Zone This was only relevant between 8th and 10th. There is the flashing sign school zone sign and “school” painted in the street between 7th and 8th. 13) Negative Components The negative components of Bridge Street were that the transition from sidewalk to store front were not suited for those with disabilities, some parts could have be cleaned up better and the sidewalk width varied. The number one reported negative trait on the Harrison side streets were the poor condition of the sidewalks and overgrown shrubbery. 14) Positive Components The most common reported positive components were the friendly people and safe atmosphere.
Negative Conditions Negative conditions:
Sidewalk Cracks
Obstructions and Stair to Store Entrance
Bumpy Curb Ramps and Missing Sidewalk on Upper 6th Faded Crosswalk & No Detectable Warnings on 2nd
Sidewalk Heaves
Sidewalk Not Continuous on Lower 3rd Telephone Pole in Sidewalk on 2nd
No Path on Opposite Side
Steep Drop-off, Lower 5th
Sidewalk Obstruction Bushes on Lower 6th
Positive Conditions
Frenchtown Borough Safe Streets Committee Walkability Audit 2013
Concrete Slabs Replaced Near Trees on Upper 11th
Nice Buffer and Flat, Even Sidewalk
Visible, Continental Crosswalks, Detectable Warnings
Recommendations Short Term 1) Encourage local residents to prune overgrown shrubs and remove items that block views of traffic and the pathway of pedestrians. 2) Continue to enforce speed limit and “Stop for Pedestrian” law. Mid Term 1) Repaint crosswalks with continental design as outlined in Crosswalk Inventory Report (2011) 2) Institute sidewalk specifications/design guidelines for new sidewalks installed or replaced. 3) Revisit and update existing sidewalk ordinance to address concerns identified in audit. 4) Develop maintenance schedule for crosswalk maintenance and ensure that when crosswalks or sidewalks are impacted by construction projects that they are reinstalled quickly. 5) Consider installing bicycle sharrows on Harrison and Bridge Streets to raise awareness
On March 27, 2013, about a dozen volunteers set out to conduct a walking survey of Bridge Street, 2nd – 12th Streets and Harrison Street. With high visibility vests and clip boards in hand, volunteers set out to search for the 5 ingredients to a walkable community: Good Sidewalks Safe & Easy Crossings Traffic Calming Safety, Comfort and Beauty Great Destinations During the course of the walk, participants were asked to evaluate conditions from their perspective, as well as to consider what the walk would be like if they were a senior citizen, handicapped or a young child. The streets were assessed based on the 14 elements of walkability. This report provides a summary of the audit findings.
Long Term 1) Identify funding source for sidewalk construction to address continuity issues. 2) Apply for funding to provide for sidewalk infill throughout audit area. 3) Conduct further evaluation of street trees, utility poles to identify opportunities to reduce sidewalk conflicts.
This audit was prepared by HART Commuter Information Services, the non profit transportation management association serving Hunterdon County, NJ. www.harttma.com
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 1) Presence of sidewalks Sidewalks were typically present on both the north and south sides of the upper and lower streets. There were some exceptions where there were no sidewalks present for the entire length of the street. 2) Continuity of sidewalks In many cases there was a problem with the continuity of the sidewalk. Many audits reported that the sidewalk ended abruptly or there was a gap between properties. 3) Sidewalk width The Bridge Street the sidewalk varied in width, and the width was narrowed by obstructions like signs and flower boxes. From 2nd to 6th the sidewalks tended to be narrower with less buffers. From 7th to 12th, the sidewalks were wider and more buffers were present. Some reported that trees narrowed the sidewalks in certain places. 4) Sidewalk Condition Heaves and cracks were the most widespread sidewalk problems. These conditions are caused by tree roots rising to the surface to access water. Telephone poles, trees and bushes were reported in about half the streets. 5) ADA Accommodations Bridge Street was up to date with ADA accommodations. From 2nd to 6th curbs ramps lacked detectable warnings and were often bumpy. From 7th to 12th most curb ramps had detectable warning surfaces. Throughout Harrison, curbs ramps weren’t always aligned with the crosswalk. 6) Posted/ Perceived Speed Few to no speed limit signs were posted on the side streets. 7) Road width Most streets especially off the southern portion of Harrison were very narrow and tight with cars parked on the margin. 8) Bike Lanes No bike lanes or shoulders were marked. 9) Crosswalks There were no crosswalks on Milford Road only between the upper and lower parts of Harrison. Crosswalks from 2nd to 6th were consistently reported in poor condition with poor pedestrian visibility. From 7 th to 12th they appeared to be in better condition. 10) Motorist Behavior During the audit, few vehicles seemed to pass by the Harrison side streets. On Bridge Street, speeding, cell phone use and turning without looking were reported. 11) Additional Problems On Bridge Street, there isn’t a sidewalk near the Bridge Café and motorists coming from Race Street can’t see pedestrians very well. On the side streets, some comments were that cars parked in the wrong direction, cars parked too close to the intersection, curbs had very steep drop offs and sidewalks did not extend into the park. 12) The School Zone This was only relevant between 8th and 10th. There is the flashing sign school zone sign and “school” painted in the street between 7th and 8th. 13) Negative Components The negative components of Bridge Street were that the transition from sidewalk to store front were not suited for those with disabilities, some parts could have be cleaned up better and the sidewalk width varied. The number one reported negative trait on the Harrison side streets were the poor condition of the sidewalks and overgrown shrubbery. 14) Positive Components The most common reported positive components were the friendly people and safe atmosphere.
Negative Conditions Negative conditions:
Sidewalk Cracks
Obstructions and Stair to Store Entrance
Bumpy Curb Ramps and Missing Sidewalk on Upper 6th Faded Crosswalk & No Detectable Warnings on 2nd
Sidewalk Heaves
Sidewalk Not Continuous on Lower 3rd Telephone Pole in Sidewalk on 2nd
No Path on Opposite Side
Steep Drop-off, Lower 5th
Sidewalk Obstruction Bushes on Lower 6th
