Powerpoint Midblock Pedestrian Crossing Improvement

1. ADMINISTRATION
Presented by:
Phil Laney
Assistant City Manager
STAFF REPORT
BROADWAY PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
ITEM # 12
FEBRUARY 12, 2024

2. SUMMARY
 City exploring options to install mid-block
pedestrian crossing on Broadway (CH to HS)
 Engineers studied possible location of crossing &
configurations to maximize pedestrian safety, use
 Two configurations recommended for
consideration
 Mid-block crossing may be included in 2024
Street Maintenance Program

3. BACKGROUND
 Council guidance at Nov. 1st workshop to consider
mid-block pedestrian crossing on Broadway
 1/3 mi. between crossings at City Hall & AH HS
 City engineer, Freese & Nichols (FNI),
tasked to study & recommend possible
location & alternative configurations
 Factoring traffic conditions, site
conditions, safety & ease of
improvement

4. RECOMMENDED CROSSING LOCATION
 Broadway between Rosemary &
College
 Closest to midway point between
signals (~950 ft. each way)
 Longest distance between side
streets or alleys
 Very wide right-of-way
on east side of street

5. CROSSING CONFIGURATION ANALYSIS
Technical Considerations (Federal Report) Alternatives Evaluated by City Engineer
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, without
median
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, without median*
Pedestrian refuge island Pedestrian Traffic Signal, without median*
High visibility crosswalk, adequate nighttime
lighting & advance warning signs
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, with
median
Intersection Traffic Signal
* Only two proposals – Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon & Pedestrian Traffic Signal – supported by FNI

6. PEDESTRIAN HYBRID BEACON, WITHOUT
MEDIAN
 2 pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) signals & crossing
sign facing each direction on single pole, extends across
all 4 lanes
 PHB activated in both directions upon pedestrian
activation; timing to cross all travel lanes in single phase
 Traffic would see solid red light in both directions during
crossing phase; dark until activated
 Estimated cost $230,000

7. PEDESTRIAN HYBRID BEACON, WITHOUT
MEDIAN
 Mid-block PHB in use on
Austin Hwy near Walmart
driveway
 Timing of crossing phase
(solid red for traffic) to
allow pedestrians crossing
at 3’ per second

8. PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC SIGNAL, WITHOUT
MEDIAN
 2 traffic signals & crossing sign facing each direction on
single pole, extends across all 4 lanes
 Upon pedestrian activation, traffic signal to cycle from
green to yellow to red in both directions; pedestrian to
cross all 4 travel lanes in single phase
 Traffic would see solid red light in both directions
during crossing phase; green light until activated
 Estimated cost $230,000

9. CROSSING ALTERNATIVES & ENGINEER
ASSESSMENT
Alternative Treatment Rank Criteria & Comparative Score Cost
Pedestrian
Safety
(Max. 10)
Traffic
Operations
(Max. 5)
Ease of Imp’n.,
Relative Cost
(Max. 5)
Score
(Max. 20)
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon
no median*
1 9 3 4 16 $230,000
Pedestrian Signal, no
median*
2 10 4 2 16 $230,000
RRFB w/ median, widen
roadway
3 7 5 3 14 $215,000
RRFB w/o median 4 1 5 5 11 $95,000
Intersection Signal 5 8 1 1 11 $298,000
* Options recommended for consideration by City engineers (Freese & Nichols)

10. 2024 STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
 FY 2024 budget includes $1M for street maintenance
program (SMP) from dedicated ½ sales tax
 TX Comptroller confirmed eligible funding source for crossing project
 Potential 2024 SMP includes Broadway Pedestrian Crossing &
base repairs & resurfacing for 7 project areas
 Broadway – Blue Bonnet to Primrose
 Kampmann – N New Braunfels to Austin Hwy
 Ellwood – Cleveland Ct to Austin Hwy
 Arcadia – Cleveland Ct to Broadway
 Marcia – Cleveland Ct to N New Braunfels
 Olmos Dam – City limit boundary to Crescent
 Estes Ave – Patterson to Cambridge Oval

11. TIMELINE & NEXT STEPS
 Timeline
 Feb. – finalize 2024 SMP scope
 May – Council award SMP contract
 Jun. to Aug. – Construction
 If crossing included in scope, hard infrastructure may be
installed, but potential delays to being operational
 Next Steps
 Council direction on Broadway pedestrian crossing
 Finalize SMP scope