APTA Sustainability Conference July 2016 Keeping it Real: Design and Circulation Implications of Observed Bicyclist and Pedestrian Behavior APTA Sustainability Conference July 2016

Valley Metro Light Rail System Valley Metro Rail was built entirely in-street using a train-only track way and traffic signals 35 light rail station platforms (2016) Transportation 2050 bumped up the expected completion of rail routes in Phoenix. The high capacity transit system currently includes 26 miles of light rail. Seven high capacity extensions are in development to create a 66-mile regional system by 2034.

60 local bus routes 3 limited stop routes 15 Express, 6 RAPID 18 Circulators 1 Rural Route 12 Transit Centers 54 Park n Rides (36 public, 18 joint use)

Light Rail Serves Everyone Average weekday riders, total yearly riders Trip purpose (transit dependent/choice riders) By race

Public Transit Access/Egress Modes Bus and Rail Access/Egress Valley Metro1 National2 Transit passengers who walk to public transit 87.2% 59.6% Transit passengers who walk from public transit 88.8% 63.8% Transit passengers who bike to public transit 4.6% 2.2%* Transit passengers who bike from public transit 4.7% 2.6%* Average weekday riders, total yearly riders Trip purpose (transit dependent/choice riders) By race 1 Valley Metro Bus/Rail Access Statistics 2015 O&D Survey 2 National Bus/Rail Access Statistics 2007 APTA *Statistics also includes modes of transit other than driving/riding in a vehicle and walking

Valley Metro Light Rail Stations 19th Avenue and Dunlap Side Running Station Each station is approximately the length of a downtown city block Two placements for the LRT stations Side running (30% of our stations) Island stations (70% of our stations) Since most of the stations are in the center of the roadway they require the use of a signalized crosswalk to enter the platform. Price – 101 Freeway / Apache Boulevard Island Station

Bike Circulation Patterns: Veteran’s Way/College Avenue LRT Station

Existing Conditions at the 7th Avenue and Camelback Station Within a ¼ mile of the 7th Ave/Camelback intersection: Annual average of four bike/ped injury collisions per year from 2009-2012 In that period, 2009-2012, there was one fatal bike/ped collision The majority of bike/ped violations were for not using a crosswalk

7th Avenue and Camelback Rd Passengers Making Unmarked Crossings Single Entry Station (Entrance from East only) Adjacent to 7th Avenue/Camelback Rd Park and Ride Major transfer with Route 8 (7th Ave) and Route 50 (Camelback Rd) Potential major redevelopment on northwest corner of 7th Ave and Camelback Rd Adjacent to relatively dense residential Adjacent to Phoenix Sonoran Bikeway on 3rd Ave Safety and Access Issues No station entrance from the west Many passengers jaywalk across the light rail tracks and Camelback Rd Reversible lanes on 7yh Avenue Traffic traveling to and From I-17

Possible Access Improvements Remove dedicated lane Add new crosswalk Pedestrian activated signal Extend fenced pedestrian access Add landscaped buffer Removal of the dedicated right turn lane Less exposure to conflict Reduces street width Add a second entry on the west side of the station and a HAWK signal Add a landscaped buffer to reduce jaywalking HAWK - speeds are usually higher at mid-block locations. Over 80% of pedestrians die when hit by vehicles traveling at 40 mph or higher. FHWA did a study in 2012 on HAWK crossings and determined they resulted in 29% reduction of total roadway crashes (FHWA proven Safety Countermeasures, 2012). HAWK stands for High Intensity Activated Crosswalk

Lessons Learned Prioritize pedestrian crossing safety Enforce rules against bicyclists on light rail platforms Jaywalking frequently occurs during transfers between bus and rail Single access stations lead to pedestrians crossing midblock at unmarked locations Fencing, education and enforcement may help, but ultimately discourage rather than prevent poor travel decisions All stops consider the safety of the pedestrian crossing: Phoenix does not necessarily install marked crosswalks at each stop location however; Phoenix makes every effort to locate most transit stops where it is possible for a pedestrian to cross safely at or very near the stop. Where mid-block transit stops are necessary due to pedestrian demand, every attempt is made to limit pedestrian exposure to traffic. Provide a safe place to stand and wait: Phoenix recognizes that transit stops with a lack of space push people out into the roadway. As such, where possible, Phoenix makes every effort to provide a formal bus shelter or passenger standing pad at transit and school bus stops regardless of the presence of connecting sidewalks or other pedestrian infrastructure. Transit stops connected to pedestrian infrastructure: All transit trips begin and end with a pedestrian trip; therefore Phoenix makes every effort to provide either contiguous sidewalk or paved shoulders to safely guide pedestrians from point of origin to transit stops. Street and/or shelter lighting provided at or near all bus stop locations: Phoenix attempts to provide adequate street and shelter lighting at all transit stops that are served during hours of darkness. This policy helps with both pedestrian safety and security. Phoenix Pedestrian Safety Action Plan June 15, 2006: Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix Valley Metro Guardian Angel Campaign That’s why Valley Metro launched a new “Guardian Angel” safety campaign. It’s a fun campaign with a serious message to be more mindful around light rail and buses – and to give your overworked Guardian Angel a break. - See more at: http://www.valleymetro.org/inside_the_ride/detail/guardian-angel-campaign-urges-safety-around-transit#sthash.FmcVt2WH.dpuf Enforcement (Jaywalking Fines) / Alcohol & Drugs (drivers and pedestrians)

Keep Expectations Realistic “Many solutions and expedients have been proposed, of which the simplest are the suggestions to give every walker an automobile and to establish a minimum speed law for pedestrians.” (New York Times, Jaywalkers will not Learn, February 24, 1925) Amanda Luecker, AICP aluecker@valleymetro.org