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Students taking risks on Northgate, study says
Lincy George
Issue date: 2/9/05 Section: News
Students crossing Northgate Drive are not practicing common sense pedestrian rules, according to an engineering study conducted by Kathleen Mullins Jost, transportation engineer of Irving public works and transportation department.
"Pedestrians have been observed crossing Northgate without looking, not using the crosswalk, walking down Northgate in the roadway [and] crossing Northgate at various locations," she said.
Jost conducted the study in response to a request from Dr. Susan Clark, Intensive English Program director, for the city to install flashing yellow lights on Northgate.
A serious hit-and-run accident involving a GSM student prompted Clark to make the request. The vehicle had been speeding.
In the study, Jost examined the accident history, existing traffic control devices, pedestrian activity, posted speed limit, travel speed, etc. The accident history from 2001-04 of the 1800 block of Northgate shows two accidents have taken place-one in 2001 and the other involving the GSM student last fall.
In the first accident, the vehicle did not yield right of way. In the second, the pedestrian was walking on the right side of the road; the vehicle was speeding and did not pass to the left.
"[T]he accident history does not indicate a failure or lack of traffic control devices but failure of driver and/or pedestrian to behave in a reasonable and prudent manner," she said. Clark affirmed this observation of pedestrian carelessness on Northgate.
"I see near accidents many times, sometimes because of students' own behavior. Students run across the street while cars are coming, or they cross without looking both ways," she said.
Constructing sidewalks
Jost said improving pedestrian safety on Northgate also requires better pedestrian facilities.
"There are minimal sidewalks available in the area," she said.
The city will soon construct a sidewalk in front of Tower Village apartments and PDK as part of an annual program constructing sidewalks in Irving, Jost said.
"The project has been added to the 2004-05 sidewalk program, as a priority," she said.
Besides installing a sidewalk, the city will take measures to encourage drivers to obey speed limits, Jost said.
"Irving police department said they would run radars.
"[P]ublic works and transportation will be notified of any complaints or accidents and continue to make observations," she said.
Not enough
Students, however, expressed a desire for more safety measures.
Junior Mary Jo Hartmann said, "Sidewalks would be very helpful. [But] I feel like there need to be speed bumps. I am afraid whenever I cross. "
Senior Marcy Hoelting said she preferred the city install more warning signs, if not flashing lights.
"A few more warning signs would be worth the benefit and would create more safety," she said.
Freshman Rafael Veraza said mere signs would not deter some drivers who speed regularly.
"There are only one or two people who are always speeding on that street. Sometimes they [drivers] don't see that pedestrian sign," he said.
Freshman Jésus Jimenez said a sidewalk is inadequate.
"Just because you have a sidewalk on both sides, does not mean you are going to be safer crossing the street," he said.
Clark, whose initial concern about pedestrian safety led to the engineering study, expressed appreciation for the city's efforts.
"I am glad the city is taking action. I am pleased the city has looked into it," she said.
Students and rules
Regarding students not following pedestrian rules, Hartmann said drivers speed and do not stop regardless of pedestrians standing at the crosswalk.
"[I]t is partially true students don't follow the rules, but I feel that is caused by [speeding] drivers. I let the cars pass and not vice-versa. [The street] is also very poorly lit," she said.
Sophomore Teresa Randazzo said students may be bending the rules for convenience.
"Sometimes, I will use the crosswalk; sometimes, it is so far over [that] it is a little inconvenient.
"But I [doubt] the city can throw crosswalks all over," she said.
Senior Elizabeth Eshelman said typical college student behavior may be a factor.
"We have to be realistic. There could be a drunk student or someone playing with their friends who may not be paying adequate attention to the rules," she said.
Capital Improvement Program
Though the city's immediate project for Northgate is installing a sidewalk in front of PDK and Tower Village, the city has plans to improve Northgate more significantly.
Jim O'Connor, transportation engineer, said Irving voters approved a capital improvement program for Northgate Drive in 1999. Originally the construction was slated for 2010-11.
The department, however, would like to do the designing in 2005-06 and begin construction in 2006-08.
"We are now hoping to move that up. But the city council makes that decision," he said.
The program will install full sidewalks on Northgate from Carl Road to Tom Braniff Drive.
Jost said, "The public works department will ensure that sidewalks and ADA wheelchair ramps are included thoughout the project's limits."
O'Connor said much of Northgate already has been renovated.
"It is evident that the rest of the road needs to be done," he said.
To read the original article regarding Northgate, click here.
"Pedestrians have been observed crossing Northgate without looking, not using the crosswalk, walking down Northgate in the roadway [and] crossing Northgate at various locations," she said.
Jost conducted the study in response to a request from Dr. Susan Clark, Intensive English Program director, for the city to install flashing yellow lights on Northgate.
A serious hit-and-run accident involving a GSM student prompted Clark to make the request. The vehicle had been speeding.
In the study, Jost examined the accident history, existing traffic control devices, pedestrian activity, posted speed limit, travel speed, etc. The accident history from 2001-04 of the 1800 block of Northgate shows two accidents have taken place-one in 2001 and the other involving the GSM student last fall.
In the first accident, the vehicle did not yield right of way. In the second, the pedestrian was walking on the right side of the road; the vehicle was speeding and did not pass to the left.
"[T]he accident history does not indicate a failure or lack of traffic control devices but failure of driver and/or pedestrian to behave in a reasonable and prudent manner," she said. Clark affirmed this observation of pedestrian carelessness on Northgate.
"I see near accidents many times, sometimes because of students' own behavior. Students run across the street while cars are coming, or they cross without looking both ways," she said.
Constructing sidewalks
Jost said improving pedestrian safety on Northgate also requires better pedestrian facilities.
"There are minimal sidewalks available in the area," she said.
The city will soon construct a sidewalk in front of Tower Village apartments and PDK as part of an annual program constructing sidewalks in Irving, Jost said.
"The project has been added to the 2004-05 sidewalk program, as a priority," she said.
Besides installing a sidewalk, the city will take measures to encourage drivers to obey speed limits, Jost said.
"Irving police department said they would run radars.
"[P]ublic works and transportation will be notified of any complaints or accidents and continue to make observations," she said.
Not enough
Students, however, expressed a desire for more safety measures.
Junior Mary Jo Hartmann said, "Sidewalks would be very helpful. [But] I feel like there need to be speed bumps. I am afraid whenever I cross. "
Senior Marcy Hoelting said she preferred the city install more warning signs, if not flashing lights.
"A few more warning signs would be worth the benefit and would create more safety," she said.
Freshman Rafael Veraza said mere signs would not deter some drivers who speed regularly.
"There are only one or two people who are always speeding on that street. Sometimes they [drivers] don't see that pedestrian sign," he said.
Freshman Jésus Jimenez said a sidewalk is inadequate.
"Just because you have a sidewalk on both sides, does not mean you are going to be safer crossing the street," he said.
Clark, whose initial concern about pedestrian safety led to the engineering study, expressed appreciation for the city's efforts.
"I am glad the city is taking action. I am pleased the city has looked into it," she said.
Students and rules
Regarding students not following pedestrian rules, Hartmann said drivers speed and do not stop regardless of pedestrians standing at the crosswalk.
"[I]t is partially true students don't follow the rules, but I feel that is caused by [speeding] drivers. I let the cars pass and not vice-versa. [The street] is also very poorly lit," she said.
Sophomore Teresa Randazzo said students may be bending the rules for convenience.
"Sometimes, I will use the crosswalk; sometimes, it is so far over [that] it is a little inconvenient.
"But I [doubt] the city can throw crosswalks all over," she said.
Senior Elizabeth Eshelman said typical college student behavior may be a factor.
"We have to be realistic. There could be a drunk student or someone playing with their friends who may not be paying adequate attention to the rules," she said.
Capital Improvement Program
Though the city's immediate project for Northgate is installing a sidewalk in front of PDK and Tower Village, the city has plans to improve Northgate more significantly.
Jim O'Connor, transportation engineer, said Irving voters approved a capital improvement program for Northgate Drive in 1999. Originally the construction was slated for 2010-11.
The department, however, would like to do the designing in 2005-06 and begin construction in 2006-08.
"We are now hoping to move that up. But the city council makes that decision," he said.
The program will install full sidewalks on Northgate from Carl Road to Tom Braniff Drive.
Jost said, "The public works department will ensure that sidewalks and ADA wheelchair ramps are included thoughout the project's limits."
O'Connor said much of Northgate already has been renovated.
"It is evident that the rest of the road needs to be done," he said.
To read the original article regarding Northgate, click here.