erik west greater portland council of governments portland, maine

Erik WestGreater Portland

Council of GovernmentsPortland, Maine

Creating an Effective School Walking Routes StudyErik West

Kids and Transportation ProgramGreater Portland Council of GovernmentsPortland, Maine

www.gpcog.org [email protected]

The Kids and Transportation Program is a long-range pollution reduction effort with a goal of reducing air pollution and educating students about transportation choices, including bicycling, walking, carpooling, and riding buses, trains, ferries and alternative fuel vehicles.

Kids and Transportation Program Mission Statement



A brief history…



1994

1995

1998 2000

Portland

Safe Walking

Routes Report

2000

East End

Transportation

Safety Report

1998

School TransportationPolicies Report

1996

Summer

Teacher

Classes

2001-3 2002 - 2005 2006

SR2S

Survey

Report

I promise!



A brief history…

1994

1995

1998 2000

Portland

Safe Walking

Routes Report

2000

East End

Transportation

Safety Report

1998

School TransportationPolicies Report

1996

Summer

Teacher

Classes

2001-3 2002 - 2005 2006

SR2S

Survey

Report

1994 – 2006Presentation Totals

• 865 Class Presentations• 265 Safety Seminars• 130 Teacher Classes• 1,635 Teachers taught• 70,495 Students taught

School Walking RoutesPortland Mainland Elementary and Middle Schools

August 2000



Why do students walk in the street?



Middle school and youngerStudent Pedestrian Hazards

13 schools



Partners:

•Portland Public Health

•Portland Public Works

•Portland Parking Division

•Portland Parks and Recreation

•Portland Schools



1998

East End Transportation Safety Report

Conclusions:

• Motorist / Pedestrian Conflict

• Bicycle Safety Concerns

• Snow Removal Issues



Why do people walk in the street?



1. Sidewalk Conditions



2. Sidewalk Snow Removal



3. Crossing Guards



4. Communication



Methodology

Step 1: Map based research / interview



Sidewalk Snow Plow Route Map



Example: Presumpscot SchoolCarole Clark- Principal 874-8220

Comments: This looks good. Thanks for working to keep students safe. While side streets aren’t typically a first priority, Imarked some neighborhoods because students are walking on thesestreets to school or to bus stops. An important consideration is theseside streets are used every day by folks avoiding Washington Aveinbound and outbound. Particularly, Sherwood and the Presumpscotto Ocean Ave neighborhood right side and Providence toPresumpscot to Sherwood, cutting off that whole section ofWashington Ave. If you have any questions please call.

1. Continue Presumpscot Street to Ocean Avenue2. Add Kensington Street to the existing routes3. Add Watson Street to the existing routes4. Add Island Street to the existing routes5. Add Upland Street to the existing routes6. Add Fairfield Street to the existing routes7. Add Hodgkins Street from Prentiss Street to Veranda Street8. Add Arcadia Street from Prentiss Street to Veranda Street9. Add Hawthorne Street from Prentiss Street to Veranda Street10. Add Wordsworth Street from Prentiss Street to Veranda Street11. Add Olympia Street to the existing routes12. Add Victoria Street to the existing routes13. Add Galvin Street to the existing routes14. Add Randall Street to the existing routes15. Add Front Street to the existing routes16. Add Illsley Street to the existing routes17. Add Johansen Street to the existing routes18. Add Alton Street to the existing routes19. Add Savoy Street to the existing routes20. Add Cummings Street to the existing routes21. Add Kidder East and West to the existing routes22. Add Fernald Street to the existing routes23. Add Morse Street to the existing routes24. Add Providence Street to the existing routes25. Add Inverness Street to the existing routes26. Add Berkshire Road to the existing routes27. Add Oakley Street to the existing routes28. Connect Presumpscot Street to Washington Avenue29. Add Ocean Avenue From Washington Avenue to Presumpscot

Street

Conversation with Carole 8/9/99



Sidewalk Snow Removal

EquipmentCity laws Practicality

Shuffle



Crossing Guards

Training and Location



Research Methodology

Step 2: On site observation



Sidewalk Conditions



Crossing Guards



Crossing Guards

Crossing Guards



Crossing Guards



A street sign on Portland's Eastern Promenade tells the story:

Temperature slips and so do MainersWednesday, January 5, 2000




Even with some salt and sand on the sidewalks, it was still hazardous going for pedestrians.

As workers rushed to offices in downtown Portland, one desperate pedestrian was seen crawling along the sidewalk on Pearl Street because it was too slippery to stand.

Far fewer people were hurt in car accidents in Greater Portland than in falls Tuesday.




Far fewer people were hurt in car accidents in Greater Portland than in falls Tuesday.



Methodology

Step 3: Review of City Laws



SIDEWALKS (Article VIII Sections 25-174 to 179)

Property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from the sidewalk(s) abutting their home. City ordinance does require snow to be removed within 12 - 24 hours and ice within a 6 hour period. Fine of $250 for non-compliance.

SIDEWALKS (Article VIII Sections 25-174 to 179)

Property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from the sidewalk(s) abutting their home. City ordinance does require snow to be removed within 12 - 24 hours and ice within a 6 hour period. Fine of $250 for non-compliance.



Parking Division (Article VIII Sections 28 to 52)

Vehicles can not be parked on sidewalks or blocking crosswalks.

Parking Division (Article VIII Sections 28 to 52)

Vehicles can not be parked on sidewalks or blocking crosswalks.

Code Inconsistency

Law enforced by Director of Parks and Public Works.

Code Inconsistency

Law enforced by Director of Parks and Public Works.



Methodology

Step 4: Consider what users want



Slides



Adventure



Social Time



Methodology

Step 4: Recommendations



Methodology

Step 4: Recommendations

•Education

•Crossing Guard Training

•Sidewalk repair

•Sidewalk construction

•Plow additional sidewalks

•Open dialogue

•Create baseline for further critique or action



Outcomes



Portland Public Works Website

SIDEWALKSProperty owners are responsible for removing snow and

ice from the sidewalk(s) abutting their home. City ordinance does require snow to be removed within 12 -

24 hours and ice within a 6 hour period. Questions regarding this issue can be answered by calling the Inspection Department's Neighborhood Help Line at

874-8693. You can also contact the Community Policing Center (if your neighborhood has one) at the following

numbers:

Munjoy Hill: 756-8135 Mid-Town: 772-1317Parkside: 756-8137 West End: 756-8137

Doing your part helps keep these pedestrian routes safe for your family, friends, and neighbors!



Crossing Guards



Crossing Guards

Crossing Guards



Future Survey tool:

Web based survey



•www.surveymonkey.com

•Sample survey page

•Survey created online

•Link to survey sent home

to parents in the school

announcement emails

from the principal.

•Immediate results

tabulation

•20% response rate

•$19.99/month



Tips for Creating an Effective School Walking Routes Study

1. Take lots of digital pictures with dates on the file.

2. Observe kids/people using the routes in all seasons.

3. Ask administrators/engineers/ workers why they do it that way and if they think it is the best way.

4. Ask them what the best way is.

5. Make it easy to participate in your project.

6. Make your results public.

7. Give people the opportunity to say no.



Creating an Effective School Walking Routes StudyErik West

Kids and Transportation ProgramGreater Portland Council of GovernmentsPortland, Maine

www.gpcog.org [email protected]

erik west greater portland council of governments portland, maine

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