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This is a really important point. Staff clearly (& repeatedly) show us, time after time, project after project, that speed is the main factor leading to our deadly streets, to our HIN. Furthermore, our plans and guidelines are *supposed* to dictate Target Operating Speeds https://twitter.com/topomodesto/status/1334586040682569728
Fletcher is an Avenue II, & as such has a Target Operating Speed of 30 mph (nm the posted speed limit of 35 mph). Now, the language in the Complete Streets Design Guide (from which this comes) is loosey goosey enough to let the City off the hook
https://ladotlivablestreets-cms.org/uploads/9d81313f65e541708d744a2e48f80d13.pdf
https://ladotlivablestreets-cms.org/uploads/9d81313f65e541708d744a2e48f80d13.pdf
What should happen is, in a good & responsible City, our staff can use the plans and design guidelines we've *already* approved, then design streets that meet those goals, a "Vision Zero" policy if you will.
What happens, of course, is cms like @MitchOFarrell insert themselves into the process & make these projects not safety projects (& not really anything projects) to appease reactionaries who do not care abt human death which, ultimately means they do not care abt human death
Ah, but we're getting protected left turns you say! Ah we're getting crosswalk painting you say!
Everything listed here as features are BASE LEVEL stuff, features that should just be part of routine upkeep & maintenance of our streets.
https://ladotlivablestreets.org/projects/fletcher
Everything listed here as features are BASE LEVEL stuff, features that should just be part of routine upkeep & maintenance of our streets.
https://ladotlivablestreets.org/projects/fletcher
Yes, xwalk painting is good. New HAWKs are good. But crucially, none of these are speed control strategies, & again, they are BASE LEVEL stuff. We already *should* have controlled crossings <500 ft (to say nothing of a 1/4 mi). Sorry we're not going to pat you on the back here
This leads to these "Vision Zero" projects that are really Seinfeld projects in that they are about nothing. They certainly aren't abt redesigning our HIN to meet Target Operating Speeds that would make them safer for all users.
Take this example from their December presentation (1/2):
"Safety issue: Underpass UNSAFE for walk/bike. UNUSABLE for ADA; kids CLIMB OVER RR TRACKS TO SCHOOL"
"Solution: Hi-viz xwalks, curb ramps, slip lane closures"
https://ladotlivablestreets-cms.org/uploads/95ec2e21782d4697a78e9e7ba2801047.pdf
"Safety issue: Underpass UNSAFE for walk/bike. UNUSABLE for ADA; kids CLIMB OVER RR TRACKS TO SCHOOL"
"Solution: Hi-viz xwalks, curb ramps, slip lane closures"
https://ladotlivablestreets-cms.org/uploads/95ec2e21782d4697a78e9e7ba2801047.pdf
uh ok, but how does that solve KIDS HOPPING THE RR TRACKS b/c the underpass is a hellhole? Hey folks w mobility disabilities, now you'll get a ramp to then go down... this! Simply put, it's not solving for the actual problem: a scary underpass w/ no space for walk/bike/rolling
These projects as warped and bastardized shouldn't get VZ funding, since they're not addressing the core safety issue. They should be funded solely thru gen fund, Measure M, and SB1. Honestly! While curb extensions & painting xwalks is nice & needed, it should be ROUTINE
and of course, all these planned changes would be buttressed by a roadway redesign that actually designed the road for 30 mph, not just accepted a high prevailing speed that kills. & of course, this is to say nothing of the benefit of giving dedicated space to people biking
My wife & I actually just biked this entire deal on Saturday, from Glendale Bl to Ealge Rock Bl and it was... terrible. There was a little room at the end of the bridge with the 2 onramp tightening, ok, but yeah it was bad & the underpass was scary as hell
but back to a walking perspective, look at the map of the really bad section btwn Larga & La Clede:
Yes, fixing La Clede int will be great, but there are crashes at every street. This is bad all over. So add a HAWK at Atwater, but you may as well add one at Perlita too
Yes, fixing La Clede int will be great, but there are crashes at every street. This is bad all over. So add a HAWK at Atwater, but you may as well add one at Perlita too
Which abt sums it up. Intersection improvements are very important, but they are not speed reduction features, & in any event, should just be a part of how we do everyday business. Don't engage a community for 3+ yrs just to paint xwalks & do one intersection w curb extensions
@MitchOFarrell should be ashamed of himself for, yet again, failing to lead in fixing the fundamental issue of our dangerous and deadly streets: speed. He failed on the Hyperion Bridge, & he failed here.
@MitchOFarrell has no concept or care for shifting power *away from* speeding assholes in matte black chargers and *towards* moms & kids trying to walk, people just trying to get someone on their bike, or people needing to roll along speedways. It's sad and infuriating.
