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| Photo example of proposed barriers to be placed along 89A to discourage pedestrians from jaywalking. |
Sedona City Council to consider 89A safety recommendations
by Carl Jackson
Sedona, AZ - June 8, 2008 - For almost a year individuals from the 89A Pedestrian Safety Committee, comprised of Sedona residents, community leaders, city officials, consultants, and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) have been huddling to develop a series of 89A safety recommendations that will reduce the need for tall light poles on 89A, help preserve Sedona's dark skies and aesthetics, and reduce pedestrian vehicle related fatalities on this busy strip of road in West Sedona.
Members of non-profit group Keep Sedona Beautiful, Evening Sky Tours, and Sedona resident, Doug Blackwell, have been vocal advocates of safety alternatives to ADOT's original proposal to place 76 light poles along 89A from Airport Rd. to Dry Creek Rd. in response to pedestrian deaths.
On Tuesday, June 10th at the Sedona City Council regularly scheduled meeting, the committee will finally get their chance to demonstrate that improving pedestrian and bicycle safety on 89A goes beyond light poles to improved education, a reduced speed limit, preventing jaywalking, and other solutions.
The committee arrived at seventeen various short and long-term options for improvements, but plan to recommend 6 shorter-term to implement solutions and 6 longer-term to implement solutions at Tuesday's meeting as follows:
Shorter-term implementation
| 1. | Reduce the speed limit between Airport Road and Dry Creek Rd from 40 mph to 35 mph (with the assistance of "your speed is" radar warning signs). |
| 2. | Enforce all road user laws, including jaywalking, bicycle, and vehicles. Continue stepped-up enforcement. |
| 3. | Enforce dark sky ordinances and help bring businesses into compliance. |
| 4. | Educate residents and tourists about Sedona’s Dark Sky initiative and corresponding pedestrian/bicycle/motorist safety precautions. |
| 5. |
Place notices (painted curbs or sidewalks) and/or barriers in strategic locations telling pedestrians to use crosswalks and to restrict mid-street crossing (with potential areas including locations near Coffee Pot Restaurant and Harkins Theater and New Frontiers and Olde Sedona Restaurant). |
| 6. | Conduct pedestrian crosswalk warrant analysis in the vicinities near Marketplace west of Soldier Pass Road, Posse Grounds, and near Tortilla Dr. Request new businesses conduct pedestrian analysis. |
Longer-term implementation
| 1. | Install a traffic signal at Andante intersection, with associated crosswalks and lighting. |
| 2. |
Implement photo speed enforcement cameras along the corridor with either mobile vans or fixed devices. |
| 3. | Modify the roadway to restripe and add bike lanes and include as part of the next programmed pavement preservation project. |
| 4. |
Install strategically located raised medians that could serve as traffic controls, a refuge island for pedestrians or barrier to crossing. Locations and design need to be studied for impact to business access and traffic flow. |
| 5. |
Install at least one pedestrian activated crosswalk and associated lighting at warranted locations (to be determined). |
| 6. |
Install targeted street lighting at locations with highest levels of pedestrian/motorist crash activity (Harmony Drive to Madole Road) in combination with a comprehensive median/barrier system to be installed along the corridor that would be developed in conjunction with the character of the community. |
Although the City Manager supports the committee recommendation, he will caution the council that the implementation of the barrier concept will additionally need public input in order to be consistent with community character.
Related articles:
89A street light proposal for Sedona condensed but not curbed
89A Pedestrian Safety Advisory Panel makes draft recommendations for highway safety in Sedona
Community rejects ADOT 89A pedestrian lighting plan
source: City of Sedona
