DOT Wranglin’: It Takes a Village
Scott | December 17, 2011
Those who travel East College Avenue or South Candler Street (including “tiptoe” in the FFAF Comments) may have noticed something interesting this week: Pedestrian islands! Why interesting? Because, while we may think of these thoroughfares in townie-terms like “avenue” and “street,” the Georgia Department of Transportation sees them as highways — 278 and 155 respectively — and, as far as they’re concerned, you don’t go encouraging people to walk across a highway.
In short, they’re not big on context. That’s why getting DOT engineers to make pedestrian-friendly design modifications that favor lower speeds inside our city limits is a tall order. Tall enough that most communities would simply write-off such aspirations as impossible.
Of course, Decatur’s not most communities, and we just so happen to have what it takes to make the seemingly impossible happen: Cooperation and tenacity.
According to Assistant City Manager – Public Works, David Junger, after years of calling, cajoling and kvetching instigated by Decatur resident and Agnes Scott professor Chris DePree, the city began formal efforts to improve both areas about 18 months ago. Multiple meetings and field studies were held, city commissioners lent their support, audacious ideas got tossed around and, to their credit, folks from the DOT kept showing up.
“Always operating by the book,” notes Junger, “but never saying no.”
Finally, concepts were approved and designs drawn up. Now being installed are mid-street islands designed to slow traffic through the perception of narrowed lanes and, in the case of East College Avenue, to provide mid-street refuge for pedestrian crossings. As a result, those crossing College will no longer have to navigate three lanes of moving traffic in one broad motion. Instead, they’ll cross one lane, be allowed to pause, then cross the other.
On top of that, Agnes Scott picked up the tab on a totally groovy, pedestrian-activated, rapid flashing beacon system for both crossings. Walkers press a button, flashing lights scare the bejeesus out of approaching motorists, everyone slows down and nobody dies.
So, what’s it take to get the mighty DOT moving in the right direction? Resident activists, city commissioners and staff, stake-holding partners and a willingness to stick with it. Nice!
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Don’t bet your life on the effect of those flashing lights to slow down or stop oncoming traffic. Don’t cross at all unless the traffic in that lane is EMPTY or has ALREADY STOPPED! I can’t count the number of times that I have started to cross a street with the pedestrian lights on and almost been clipped by a car.
Hat’s off to David Junger. He’s been a great asset to the city for years.
Many thanks to Chris DePree and the others who made this a reality. Bravo!
Chris DePree also co-designed the cool plaza in front of the Bradley Observatory. A renaissance man, for sure!
Thank you, Chris D and the city of Decatur! That’s a great addition to the city.
Good news, and nicely presented, DM. Yes, I will continue to use caution but these medians should be a big help.
Not too long ago I saw the “Stop for Pedestrians” sign on College lying absolutely flattened against the pavement. Oh, how I wished I could snap it for an Eye On The Street shot. Decided it wasn’t worth dying for. This new arrangement should be a lot better for all of us.
Tis Scott’s post. Gotta figure out how to more prominently display the author name.
So it is. Nice work, Scott and thank you for the information.
just curious about the design of the median on college ave. in front of Agnes Scott. The pedestrian walkway through the median has an “S” shape type thing going on. Any thoughts on what that’s about?
It’s a device to ensure people crossing are facing oncoming traffic. When you enter it, it “forces” you to turn in the direction you need to be looking. Kinda clumsy but possibly useful, especially for kids.
I’ve been through it 3 times now and the off-set is over thought IMO. I just run over it (bad choice of words). It’s awkward for runners, pushing a bike or stroller. It makes you stay in the street too long. That section of College is not very wide. The refuge area would make more sense in a wider street.
I agree with Udog — it’s really hard to navigate with a stroller, especially a jogging stroller. To the point that it might actually be dangerous. They should widen the walkways and the “pedestrian refuge.”
Now if we could only get some turn signals at those two red lights where S. McDonough crosses and Candler crosses. That would help some of the congestion.
I wish they would put lights on all the pedestrian crossings. Driving down Ponce is like going through a gauntlet–will someone jump out? Is that guy wanting to cross or just waiting on the curb? When I stop for the guy that stepped out from behind the parked car, will I get rear-ended?
In MA, if I remember correctly, if you are on the sidewalk by the crosswalk, cars stop. And if you’re just chatting, boy, do they get mad. So a part of the stop for pedestrians in crosswalks should include sidewalk etiquette.
I’d like to start taking bets to see how many cars end up on top of the island this week. I’m saying at least 5. I ran by the island a few times this week and it is not easily visible to oncoming traffic if someone is not crossing and the lights are off. Only a matter of time till some car gets stuck just like they do in the Chik-fil-a parking lot.
Excellent news! The flashing lights will definitely help us drivers know when a pedestrian is waiting to cross.
Now what about some left turn lights on College at McDonough and Candler!!!!
Thanks to David Junger, the City of Decatur, and all the folks at the GA DOT. Thanks especially to Maurice, and all of the crossing guards at these dangerous crossings that hopefully have gotten a little bit safer. – Chris
As someone who walks this crossing twice a day, I am VERY grateful for this change. I’ve seen pedestrians almost killed when 2 lanes stopped but the middle lane didn’t, I’ve seen accidents when the first car stopped and the second car didn’t, I’ve been nearly hit myself when someone pulled out to zip around all the stopped cars. Thanks to all involved in getting this fixed (and thanks, Scott, for explaining the offset design – I had wondered about that).
I drive past Agnes Scott on E. College on a daily basis during rush hour. I definitely agree that this stretch is very dangerous for pedestrians. Many, many times, I have stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the street, only to have the car behind me zoom around at warp speed and almost hit the person crossing the street. I am happy Decatur has done something to improve this stretch of road.
When I first saw these medians, though, I thought they were a horrible idea- I thought they would make traffic through this stretch horrendous. But, happily, so far, my initial impression was completely wrong. Traffic has been much better than usual and it appears much safer for pedestrians. Fingers crossed that it stays that way!