STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: May 7, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Daren Grilley, Assistant Director Public Works/City Engineer Jessie Holzer Carpenter, PTP, Transportation Planner
Subject:
Attachments:
Decorative Crosswalk Installation
1. Example Decorative Crosswalks
INTRODUCTION
A one-month test installation of decorative crosswalks is planned for the month of June at two locations to serve as a test to determine if decorative crosswalks can increase motorists yielding to pedestrians. This information will be useful in designing future crosswalk enhancements.
DISCUSSION
On April 20, 2021, City Council adopted the Complete Streets Plan and Complete Streets Action Plan. Both documents are available on the City’s Complete Streets website:
www.beverlyhills.org/completestreets.
The Complete Streets Plan includes the City’s crosswalk policy, which guides the installation of new crosswalks and upgrades to existing crosswalks. This policy states that decorative or creative crosswalks (and/or curb extensions) may be considered with the use of colors, textures, and patterns to promote City streets as engaging places for people, such as by reflecting the special character of a neighborhood, marking the gateway to a district, or otherwise creating local identity and pride.
The City’s crosswalk policy follows Federal and State guidance on decorative crosswalks, which includes:
• Creative crosswalk treatments may only be considered at intersections where a marked crosswalk exists or can be approved per the crosswalk policy. • Decorative elements may be added only between the continental bar markings. The reflective white parallel bars in continental layout must always be included. • The material used shall be a special, highly durable road-marking paint approved by the City.
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Meeting Date: May 7, 2024
• While creativity and artistic innovation is encouraged, creative crosswalk treatments cannot obscure or interfere with regulatory crosswalk markings. No commercial advertising or shapes such as logos, or any text or colors that can be confused with standard traffic control devices or legends will be considered. • Only locations where pavement is in good condition will be considered, allowing the materials to bond well.
• All locations and design proposals must be reviewed and approved by a City traffic engineer and the Traffic and Parking Commission.
Considering the points above, the City is planning to study decorative crosswalk installations at two locations:
• Rexford Drive in front of City Hall and
• Civic Center Drive/Third Street.
Both test locations are prominent places in the Civic Center area of Beverly Hills that experience high volumes of pedestrian traffic, including residents, employees, and tourists. Additionally, both locations have a history of driver non-compliance in yielding to pedestrians. Staff feels these two intersections would be ideal as study locations to determine if decorative crosswalks improve pedestrian safety and could be expanded citywide in commercial and/or residential areas.
The City is planning the style of the decorative crosswalks to be rainbow pattern, as implemented by many agencies throughout the United States (Attachment 1). The installation would use a highly durable road marking paint designed to withstand vehicle traffic, as required in the City’s crosswalk policy, so the colors remain vibrant and aesthetically pleasing.
The timeline for the study would be June 1-30, 2024 to celebrate National Pride Month and, in coordination with the Community Services Department, incorporate the installation into the City’s “BH Pride” programming, the details of which are still being finalized. The project would be installed by City staff in the Public Works Department as part of their regular duties.
Commission Feedback
Staff presented the proposed installation to three commissions for feedback: the Traffic and Parking Commission, the Arts and Culture Commission, and the Human Relations Commission.
The Traffic and Parking Commission supported the concept and reiterated that the materials should be durable to not degrade quickly throughout the month, as required in the crosswalk policy. They also suggested studying if decorative crosswalks create any confusion and, if successful, implementing decorative crosswalks with the Beverly Hills shield or other Cityspecific branding. Staff will explore ways to observe/measure potential confusion, but it should be noted that none of the existing crosswalk markings or signage will be removed.
The Arts and Culture Commission also supported the concept and reiterated that the materials should be durable. Additionally, they suggested using the adjacent street lighting to both highlight the installation and improve pedestrian safety if it can be done without contributing to light pollution. Staff will evaluate whether the lighting levels at these intersections can be increased.
The Human Relations Commission had mixed feedback. Some Commissioners supported the one-month installation and inquired about the longevity of materials/installation, while others felt the rainbow theme is not consistent with the Beverly Hills brand. The Commission also Meeting Date: May 7, 2024
suggested that the proposed decorative crosswalks would work best in conjunction with a robust citywide program to celebrate National Pride Month. As stated above, the details of the BH Pride programming are still being finalized.
Environmental Review
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), Existing Facilities, which exempts minor alterations to existing highways and streets that do not create additional automobile lanes on existing highways and streets. Prior to installation, staff will file the Notice of Exemption with Los Angeles County and the State.
FISCAL IMPACT
Implementation of decorative crosswalks for one month on Rexford Drive in front of City Hall and Civic Center Drive/Third Street is anticipated to cost less than $5,000 and includes a before/after video analysis of driver yielding rates, installation, and maintenance. Funding is available in the approved budget for the Complete Streets CIP (No. 00100).
RECOMMENDATION
This report is for information only.
Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 1
Example Decorative Crosswalks
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