City of Sacramento
Personnel and Public Employees Committee Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2026-00323 1/27/2026
City of Sacramento Active Transportation Commission (ATC) 2025 Annual Report File ID: 2026-00323
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and provide direction on the 2025 Annual Report for the Active Transportation Commission and pass a Motion either: 1) directing staff to forward the Annual Report to the City Council for review; 2) directing staff to update the Annual Report based on Personnel and Public Employee Committee recommendations and forward to the City Council for review; or 3) asking the Active Transportation Commission to update the Annual Report based on Personnel and Public Employee Committee recommendations and to come back to the Personnel and Public Employee Committee for additional review.
Contact: Chris Dougherty, Transportation Planning Section Manager, (916) 808-2669, [email protected]; Jennifer Donlon Wyant, Mobility and Sustainability Division Manager, (916) 808-5913, [email protected]; Public Works Department Presenter: Chris Dougherty, Transportation Planning Section Manager, (916) 808-2669, [email protected], Public Works Department; Active Transportation Commission Chair Arlete Hodel
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-ATC 2025 Annual Report
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Chapter 17 of the Council Rules of Procedure states that each city advisory body shall provide an annual report for review by the Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE). At a minimum, reports should include the following:
· Highlights and accomplishments from the previous year’s work;
File ID: 2026-00323 1/27/2026
· Proposed projects, priorities, and recommendations for the upcoming year including resources required and information on feasibility; and
· Any other information required of the advisory body according to the Sacramento City Code.
The attached Annual Report prepared by the Active Transportation Commission is being forwarded to the P&PE Committee for consideration. This is an action item to review the 2025 ATC Annual Report and pass a Motion to forward to City Council or provide further direction on updating the report.
Policy Considerations: Chapter 17 of the Council Rules of Procedure outlines the Advisory Body reporting process.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): This action is not a project that is subject to CEQA because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines §15378(b)(5).
Sustainability: This report is consistent with the City of Sacramento Climate Action Plan and the 2040 General Plan Mobility Element by focusing on improving transportation infrastructure and encouraging walking, bicycling, and rolling.
Commission/Committee Action: On November 20, 2025, the Active Transportation Commission reviewed the attached report and passed a motion forwarding it to the Personnel and Public Employee Committee with a recommendation to approve.
Rationale for Recommendation: So that advisory bodies may effectively incorporate their important role, voice, and work to provide thoughtful community recommendations to the City Council on a consistent basis, the P&PE Committee shall facilitate the process for advisory bodies to communicate their accomplishments, projects, priorities, and recommendations to the city council.
Financial Considerations: This item is a report that includes recommendations for additional activities and programs. The report identifies costs to implement recommendations, estimated at $8.2 million in new resources if fully implemented. See pages 13 to 26 of the Annual Report for detail.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background: The Active Transportation Commission was created by a City Council ordinance on January 23, 2018. The powers and duties of the commission are as follows:
File ID: 2026-00323 1/27/2026
A. Advise city council on the implementation, criteria, and priority of pedestrian, bicycling, and rolling related policies and projects.
B. Provide input city council on the pursuit of grant funding opportunities.
C. Provide input on program development in walking, bicycle safety, and rolling education, law enforcement, and other areas pertinent to walking, bicycling, and rolling in the city.
D. Review and discuss current walking, bicycling, and rolling issues and advise city council.
E. Advise city council on the need for periodic updates of the pedestrian master plan and bikeway master plan.
F. Provide for public participation and involvement regarding the implementation of walking, bicycling, and rolling projects and programs, and other active transportation matters.
Annually, report to and make recommendations to the city council regarding the status of walking, bicycling, and rolling in the city and activities of the commission.
Sacramento Active
Transportation Commission
Annual Report
January 2025 through December 2025
915 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 • [email protected] • (916) 808-7200
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Table of Contents
Introduction: Establishment, Commissioners, and Staff ................................ ................................ ........ 3 Current Sacramento Active Transportation Commissioners ................................ .............................. 4 Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Staff ................................ ................................ ........... 5 Purpose, Powers and Duties of Sacramento Active Transportation Commission ........................... 6 Message from the Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Chair ................................ ........ 7 Highlights & Accomplishments ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 10 Commission Resources Expended................................ ................................ ................................ ..........12 2025 ATC Recommendations to Council ................................ ................................ ............................. 13 Increase Funding for Active Transportation Infrastructure Projects................................ .............18 Implement the Traffic Calming Toolbox ................................ ................................ ............................ 19 Increase Funding for the Sacramento Quick-Build Program................................ ........................... 20 Implement Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) Citywide ................................ ................................ ..21 Develop a Citywide Safe Routes to School Program ................................ ................................ ......22 Implement No Right Turn on Red Citywide ................................ ................................ ..................... 23 Pedestrian Safety Review of Proposed Transitional Housing ................................ ......................... 24 Expansion of Creative Crosswalk Policy................................ ................................ ............................ 25 Recommendations Summary ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 26 Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Introduction: Establishment, Commissioners, and Staff
The Sacramento Active Transportation Commission was established in 2018 by ordinance 2018-0002 and is codified in Sacramento City Code Section 2.100.
The commission consists of twelve members which are nominated by the Personnel and Public Employees Committee or Council Members and appointed by the mayor with the concurrence of a majority of the city council.
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Current Sacramento Active Transportation Commissioners
The following commissioners are currently serving on the commission.
• Dr. Debra Banks
• Dr. Donald Gibson
• Isaac Gonzalez (Vice Chair)
• Melissa Harris
• Arlete Hodel (Chair)
• Jim Houpt
• Justine Recio-Patel
• David Moore
• Emel Wadhwani
• Tong Thao
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Staff
The commission is supported primarily by the following staff members.
Chris Dougherty,
Transportation Planning Manager, Transportation Planning Section, Mobility and Sustainability Division, Public Works
Jeff Jelsma,
Associate Planner, Transportation Planning Section, Mobility and Sustainability Division, Public Works
Saphire Xiong
Deputy City Clerk, Office of the City Clerk
Michael Fry
Senior Deputy City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney
Efrain Morales
Media Production Specialist II, Information Technology Department
Doug Bigham
Media Production Specialist I, Information Technology Department
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Staff Contact Information City of Sacramento – Department of Public Works
915 I Street – Sacramento, CA 95814
[email protected]
(916) 808-2669
https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/public-works
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Purpose, Powers and Duties of Sacramento Active Transportation Commission
Purpose of the Sacramento Active Transportation Commission The Commission is established for the purpose of providing advice on strategies related to walking, bicycling, and rolling in the city.
Powers and Duties of the Sacramento Active Transportation Commission
A. Advise city council on the implementation, criteria, and priority of pedestrian, bicycling, and rolling related policies and projects.
B. Provide input city council on the pursuit of grant funding opportunities.
C. Provide input on program development in walking, bicycle safety, and rolling education, law enforcement, and other areas pertinent to walking, bicycling, and rolling in the city.
D. Review and discuss current walking, bicycling, and rolling issues and advise city council.
E. Advise city council on the need for periodic updates of the pedestrian master plan and bikeway master plan.
F. Provide for public participation and involvement regarding the implementation of walking, bicycling, and rolling projects and programs, and other active transportation matters.
G. Annually, report to and make recommendations to the city council regarding the status of walking, bicycling, and rolling in the city and activities of the commission.
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Message from the Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Chair The Active Transportation Commission presents here the 2025 Annual Report which outlines our ongoing work to advocate for and develop a more accessible, safe, and sustainable transportation infrastructure. Informed by the experiences of our commissioners and input from every city district, we provide recommendations that meet present needs and prepare for future challenges.
Our commission spent 2025 diligently promoting and enhancing active transportation in the City of Sacramento to achieve critical objectives. Our number one goal is to improve safety, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and inspire a healthy, active lifestyle among our citizens. By focusing on these areas we can make substantial contributions to the City’s environmental sustainability and overall livability.
Our commitment to inclusivity and effectiveness guides all recommendations, which are shaped by the diverse voices and experiences within our community. This report summarizes our key activities, achievements, and strategic recommendations for driving the growth of active transportation initiatives in Sacramento.
Arlete Hodel
Chair, City of Sacramento Active Transportation Commission, 2025 Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Summary of Traffic Violence in Sacramento, Figures, Data, and Maps 1) Traffic Collisions Impact Every Neighborhood and Community in Sacramento, with Greater Concentration in Disadvantaged Communities
Figure 1: Each dot represents an injury caused by a collision in or with an automobile between 2013 and 2024. A blue dot is a reported complaint of pain, a light blue dot is a visible injury, an orange dot is a severe injury, and a red dot is a fatality. The highlighted red areas are SB535 Disadvantaged Communities—source: City of Sacramento Vision Zero Crash Dashboard
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
2) When a Collision Impacts a Pedestrian or Cyclist, the Risk of a Serious injury or Fatality is Far Higher Than for Those in a Vehicle.
Figure 2: When a pedestrian is struck in a collision and reported, over 25% of the time, that collisions result in a serious injury or fatality. The rate is 13% for those on bikes—source: City of Sacramento Vision Zero Crash Dashboard.
3) The People Seriously Injured or Killed in the City of Sacramento has Increased Since 2017, When the Vision Zero Goal was Declared
Figure 3: Data only includes City of Sacramento-managed streets, thus excluding collisions that take place on locations such as the interstate freeways—source: City of Sacramento Vision Zero Crash Dashboard.
Collisions Involving a Bicycle or Pedestrian Far More
Likely to Result in a Serious Injury or Fatality
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
All Collisions Bicycle Pedestrian
The Number of People Seriously Injured or Killed per Year Has Increased Since 2013
300
250
200
150
100
50 0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Number of Individuals Killed or
Seriously Injured in the CIty of
Sacramento Collisions Resulting in a Serious Injury or
Fatality in Sacramento
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Highlights & Accomplishments
The City of Sacramento, with the help of the ATC, had some notable active transportation accomplishments over the last year.
In 2025, the ATC held ten (10) meetings. In addition to the Commission meetings, the ATC has a Commission log which is a running list of items of interest that the Commission would like agendized. Through the log, Commissioners can submit ideas for future agendas, ask questions, and ensure that topics that are discussed connect back to the powers and duties of the Commission, as well as the statement on equity. The log allows the Commission to track progress that is made in areas of interest and for more transparency around when items are expected to come to the Commission. Below are the items discussed at the ATC in 2025:
January 16, 2025
• Caltrans American River Bridge Rehabilitation Project • Truxel Bridge Concept and Feasibility Study
• Streets for People: Neighborhood Connections Plan
February 20, 2025
• Overview of Transportation Planning and Equity
• City of Sacramento Bicycle Parking Program 2025 Update • Active Transportation Commission Log Discussion
March 20, 2025
• Airport South Industrial Annexation – Amendments to the City Bicycle Master Plan • Streets for People Draft Plan and Phase III Community Engagement Approach April 17, 2025
• Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements
• Audible Signals Phase 2
May 15, 2025
• Vision Zero School Safety Project
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
June 12, 2025
• Bikeway Separation Treatments Project
• Two Rivers Phase III
July 2025 – No meeting, summer recess
August 21, 2025
• Streets for People Active Transportation Plan
• Connecting Howe Avenue: Safety and Mobility Plan Proposed Alternatives • The Norwood Mobility Project Proposed Alternatives
September 18, 2025
• Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero Safety Project
• Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Application
October 16, 2025
• SacAdapt Transportation Adaptation Plan
• The Norwood Mobility Project Phase 3 Public Engagement: Public Draft Plan • Connecting Howe Avenue: Safety and Mobility Plan Phase 3 Public Engagement:
Public Draft Plan
November 20, 2025
• Franklin Boulevard Complete Streets Update
December 2025 – No meeting, winter recess
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Commission Resources Expended
The estimated cost to support the Sacramento Active Transportation Commission in 2025 was $52,554.
In 2025, the ATC held ten (10) meetings. Table 1 below shows the costs per meeting to support the commission.
The estimated cost per meeting is as follows:
Table 1: Cost per Meeting
Meetings Hours Rate Total
Staff report creation and review – department staff 10 6 $207 $12,420 Staff report review – city attorney staff 10 3 $250 $7,500 Agenda review, preparation, and publishing – city clerk 10 10 $35 $3,500 Meeting presentation preparation 10 2 $117 $2,340
Meeting attendance – department staff 10 4 $207 $8,280 Meeting attendance – city attorney staff 10 2 $250 $5,000 Meeting attendance – city clerk staff 10 4 $58 $2,320
Meeting attendance – IT staff 10 4 $53 $2,120
Meeting attendance – building security 10 4 $33 $1,320 Post meeting tasks: minutes, legislative document processing, attendance tracking
10 5 $35 $1,750
Commissioner stipend processing (quarterly) 12/year $42 $504 Commissioner stipends (11 commissioners) 10 11 $50 $5,500 Total Meetings Cost $52,554
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
2025 ATC Recommendations to Council
The Central City of Sacramento, or the “Grid,” is known for its tree -lined sidewalks and many protected bike lanes which make portions of the city relatively safe and commutable whether walking, biking, or rolling. However, how walkable communities of Sacr amento vary greatly depending on the historical safety investments made.
Other streets are high-speed boulevards near homes and places of business, putting drivers and pedestrians in conflict. Traffic violence is primarily due to street design, clearly demonstrated by the clustering of fatal crashes on a small number of Sacramento’s roads. Just 14% of Sacramento Streets account for 79% of crashes, and have been identified as the High-Injury Network. 44% of this High -Injury Network is located in disadvantaged communities. The top five corridors identified for safety improvements include
• El Camino Avenue (District 2)
• Marysville Boulevard (District 2)
• Broadway/Stockton Boulevard (District 5)
• Stockton Boulevard (District 5/6)
• Florin Road (District 5/8)
The Five Vision Zero Corridors in Sacramento
19% of Sacramento’s streets lack
sidewalks
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Deaths as the result of collisions occur in every district but are disproportionally in disadvantaged communities and borne by people of color. Disadvantaged communities are unjustly impacted by traffic violence due to a lack of basic infrastructure, safety investments, and vehicle access.
Sacramento's Disadvantaged Communities (from the 2025
Transportation Priorities Plan Final Report)
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Lack of equity to complete streets is significant equity issue in Sacramento. New neighborhoods incorporate road safety features and sidewalks into construction, but Sacramento’s existing communities, especially those that lack basic infrastructure, rely on the city to improve road safety.
In the past, the city has attempted to address these incomplete streets with numerous proclamations and plans. However, without dedicated funding, the city has been reliant on grant funding to complete the planning, design, and construction of these necessary safety improvements.
For some Sacramento residents
active transportation isn’t recreation,
it’s their only transportation option
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
2025 Accomplishments
Last year, the City Council took decisive action to
improve the City of Sacramento's transportation
network by adopting key transportation policies
and plans, including:
• The Construction Detour Policy
• The Streets for People Transportation Plan
• Neighborhoods Connection Plan
Quick Build Program
In 2025, the City Council also approved the city’s first Quick Build program in response to the growing number
of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, dedicated staff, and transportation funding to implement safety measures. This dedicated funding source will fund 6 new city staff to
implement small safety projects to slow and calm traffic in response to fatal and serious injuries. The Quick Build program is scheduled to launch in 2026.
Marysville Boulevard
The availability of funding in 2025 enabled the immediate funding of a Vision Zero priority corridor at Marysville Boulevard ($1.9 million), with construction expected to commence in 2026.
The investment in this priority project within the High -Injury Network allows the city to make swift investments to construct necessary improvement in critical areas while and funds to leverage in-kind grant money ($9M from SACOG, 2025).
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
2025 Recommendations
The 2025 ATC Recommendations have retained the previous year's suggestion of dedicating $3 million in funding for the necessary infrastructure improvements. The availability of $1.9 million in funding in 2025, resulting in a 5 -fold return on investment from in -kind grant contributions, demonstrates the outsized impact of construction funding on safety improvements. The combined force of dedicated funding for construction and matching grants provides unparalleled opportunities for transformational change in our city. Additional previous recommendations have also been retained, such as the Safe Routes to Schools Program, recognizing that education and resources can provide valuable adaptation for residents where immediate safety investments are infeasible.
Policy changes can also provide cost-
efficient methods for increasing the
safety of existing infrastructure, such
as implementing daylighting
intersections to improve visibility in
2025. This annual report provides new
recommendations for studies into the
safety improvements of Lead
Pedestrian Indicators for pedestrian
crossings, no-turn-on-red lights, and
reduced traffic speeds. The ATC
recommends investigating these policy
changes to determine their
potential improvements to safety and
impacts to traffic.
In the wake of numerous deaths of homeless residents, this year’s annual report provides new recommendations to complete a review for all new homeless shelters within the city to ensure a least an analysis of safe routes to the nearest public transit locations.
The 2025 ATC Recommendation has removed the Quick Build Bike Lane recommendation and the Construction Detour Policy, which were featured in the 2024 ATC Recommendations. Quick Build Bike Lanes is anticipated to be incorporated into the city’s funded Quick Build Program, once it is initiated. The City adopted the Construction Detour Policy in 2025, so this item has been removed.
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Increase Funding for Active Transportation Infrastructure Projects Details: Over the past two years the ATC and community members have participated in numerous conversations around the development of the Transportation Priorities Plan.
This plan estimates that it would cost $5 billion to build all the transportation projects identified in plans created over the last twenty years. The City only has about $42 million each year to do the work which would take 100 years to build what is planned. As City staff continue to apply for State and Federal grants to build this much needed infrastructure, it's imperative that we have the local match needed. The ATC urges the Mayor and Council to declare active transportation a priority and identify funding. With insufficient funds available through Measure A, it’s more important than ever that we have sustained and dedicated funding for active transportation so that we can build planned projects quicker. If the City pursues another measure to help fund transportation, the ATC hopes city leaders will prioritize investments in active transportation, transit, and maintenance of existing facilities over capacity expansion projects such as new roads and highways.
Transportation projects in the City of Sacramento are funded with Federal and State grants, which typically require a local match. The ATC requests to double the average match amount for active transportation grants in order to make the city more competitive for grant funding in the future. The amount would increase by 10% each year thereafter.
Cost:
Additional Staffing Year 1 Cost
Estimate
Recurring Annual
Cost Estimate
TBD $ 3,000,000 10% increase over
previous year
Year 2: $3,300,000
Year 3: $3,630,000
Year 4: $3,993,000
Year 5: $4,392,300
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Implement the Traffic Calming Toolbox
Details: The City and County of Sacramento continue to rank among the top cities in California for fatal and serious injury collisions. In 2017 the City’s Vision Zero Resolution (No. 2017-0032) was established which was committed to reducing fatality and serious injury collisions. In October of 2022, the ATC received a presentation providing an overview of the different speed management efforts currently deployed across the city. It was shared that staff plan to procure a consultant to evaluate citywide speed limits and prepare an implementation plan to comply with AB 43 and AB 1938. The ATC eagerly awaits the results of this study and hopes to see a reduction in speeds across the city. We were also provided with background on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) which was established in the City from 1995 -2010. The ATC believes that anything the city can do to lower the speed of vehicles benefits people walking and biking and would encourage Council to re -establish NTMP or increase funding for existing programs focused on lowering speeds in neighborhoods specifically. We’re very excited for the future Traffic Calming Toolbox which the city also plans to develop. The toolbox will provide a variety of traffic -calming treatments for staff and developers to consider earlier on in the development process.
The ATC requests to increase the current budget for the speed lump program and apply equitable distribution of the treatments citywide. The ATC also requests the application of other traffic calming treatments and tools to be used from the traffic calming toolbox, once developed.
Cost:
Additional Staffing Year 1 Cost
Estimate
Recurring Annual
Cost Estimate
0.5 Senior Engineer
0.5 Associate Engineer
$ 2,100,000 $ 2,300,000
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Increase Funding for the Sacramento Quick-Build Program Details: The city has proven with corridors like J Street that quick-build projects can and do rapidly transform streets and make them safer and more accessible for all users. Using low-cost materials and a compressed timeline, we’re able to meet the mobility needs of the community much faster than ever before. To continue this success, the ATC believes a program dedicated to building more quick-build projects should be created. The City of San Diego recently developed such a program (Sustainable Transportation for All Ages and Abilities Team, or STAT) and has allocated $1.1 million in funding to build nine miles of safe bikeways per year. If the City is unable to dedicate funding in the upcoming budget to create such a program, we highly encourage the city to seek grant funding via the Active Transportation Program Quick-Build Project Pilot Program or other sources.
The ATC requests additional budget for the City’s quick -build program to implement quick-build solutions citywide.
Cost:
Additional Staffing Year 1 Cost
Estimate
Recurring Annual
Cost Estimate
$ 1,100,000 $ 1,200,000
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Implement Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) Citywide
Details: Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) are a low -cost safety practice of providing pedestrians a several-second head start to cross at signalized intersections before vehicles.
LPIs effectively reduce traffic fatalities and encourage active transportation by improving the ease and safety of pedestrian crossings. The Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that LPIs decrease incidents of pedestrian injury by 13%. LPIs can be implemented with existing infrastructure by adjusting traffic signal prog ramming. Older traffic signals may require additional retrofitting and greater expense but can be implemented without traffic signal replacements. DOT estimates the cost of implementing LPI to be $200 to $ 1,200 per signal. These costs do not reflect likely additional improvements such as technology and ADA improvements needed to support LPI operations.
Sacramento has implemented LPIs in some intersections in the central city grid, including around City Hall. Sacramento's 2025 Streets for People Plan recommends the development of an LPI policy as one of its key recommendations. The ATC believes that LPIs are one of the most cost -effective ways to increase safety and decrease pedestrian fatalities, and recommends expanding the use of LPIs citywide in three phases.
1. The ATC recommends that the City adopt a policy allowing LPIs citywide, and the ATC requests LPIs be added to the Quick -Build Toolbox to allow immediate implementation in response to unsafe intersections. Costs for inclusion in the Quick-Build Toolbox would be borne by the Quick-Build Program.
2. The ATC recommends that the City adopt a policy of implementing LPIs for all signal replacements as standard procedure. Because new traffic signals must be programmed for traffic and pedestrian timing at installation, this can be implemented at no additional cost.
3. The ATC recommends that the City complete a study of citywide implementation of LPIs to improve safety for people walking at intersections. This study would prioritize intersections for LPI implementation and signal retrofit. The ATC requests funding to support this LPI Implementation Study.
Cost:
Additional
Staffing
Year 1 Cost
Estimate
Recurring Annual
Cost Estimate
TBD $500,000
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Develop a Citywide Safe Routes to School Program
Details: Ensuring that students have a safe way to travel to school has proven to encourage more walking and biking amongst youth. While there are several organizations in the City that help facilitate Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs, there is not a citywide effort to ensure all schools have this resource. This has led to many parents driving their kids’ short distances that could be done by walking an d biking. In February 2021 the City of Sacramento Vision Zero School Safety Study was approved. Creating a citywide SRTS program with staff that could work to implement this plan and provide resources, training and encouragement events for schools would make a lasting impact on the safety and health of youth in our community.
The ATC request for two staff positions for the development and management of a Citywide Safe Routes to School Program.
Cost:
Additional Staffing Year 1 Cost
Estimate
Recurring Annual
Cost Estimate
1 Senior Planner
1 Associate Planner
$ 800,000 $ 800,000
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Implement No Right Turn on Red Citywide
Details: Most drivers take their ability to turn right at a red light for granted. With the uptick of injuries and fatalities at intersections, many cities nationwide are adopting citywide bans on RTOR to address increased fatalities and serious injuries among pedestrians and cyclists. Turning right on red can pose a risk to pedestrians and cyclists when they are in crosswalks when drivers decide to turn right on a red light. Studies have shown that allowing RTOR leads to more conflicts between cars and ped estrians. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study showed that RTOR can increase pedestrian crashes by up to 107% and 123% for cyclists. As drivers are looking left to see oncoming traffic to avoid, they miss the pedestrian or cyclist to the right of them in the crosswalk1.
Critics cite enforcement, low numbers of injuries and cost as reasons to not implement the policy. The ATC believes that citywide RTOR unless where specifically posted permitting a right turn could be an additional safety measure in Sacramento’s toolbox along with quick-builds and lowering speed limits. The ATC requests the city complete a study of citywide implementation of No Right Turn on Red to improve safety for people walking, biking, and rolling at intersections balancing the convenience it offers drivers with the safety of all road users.
Cost:
Additional
Staffing
Year 1 Cost
Estimate
Recurring Annual Cost
Estimate
TBD $500,000
1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198223000696?via%3Dihub Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Pedestrian Safety Review of Proposed Transitional Housing Details: Multiple residents of city-owned transitional housing facilities were injured or lost their lives while walking or biking in the area immediately adjacent to their city-provided homes. Many of these fatalities occurred on roads with high speeds and no sidewalks. Ensuring that safe active transportation routes exist to access public transportation is necessary to allow transitional housing residents to access critical resources, including health services and employment opportunities. The ATC recommends the city provide a review of proposed homeless facilities to determine the distance to the two closest public transportation stops, analyze route safety to these public transit stops, and provide recommendations on the safest pedestrian exit from transitional housing to access these routes. If sidewalks and/or bike lanes do not exist to access public transit, or routes are adjacent to roads with speed limits deadly to pedestrians (35 mph or more), this safety concern should be briefed to the Sacramento City Council & Mayor as part of the facilities approval. If sidewalks do not exist adjacent to the proposed transitional housing, staff should include a cost estimate and schedule for sidewalk construction in their report for City Council consideration as part of the project.
Cost:
Additional
Staffing
Year 1 Cost
Estimate
Recurring Annual Cost
Estimate
TBD $100,000 $100,000
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Expansion of Creative Crosswalk Policy
Details: Sacramento’s Creative Crosswalk program was approved by city council in 2021 and has had some success since its inception. Currently, one can find creative crosswalks in Midtown and North and South Natomas. The idea is simple: brighten crosswalks with colored paint to bring attention to the space for pedestrians, increasing safety. The intent is to create a safer experience, while promoting active transportation and making Sacramento a more liveable, walkable city. The creative crosswalk program aligns with the city’s Vision Zero Plan, 2040 General Plan and the upcoming Streets for People Plan.
Sacramento is now enforcing the state daylighting law (AB 413), ticketing people who park on curbs near intersections. Daylighting increases safety for people walking by providing increased visibility between drivers and walkers crossing the street by increasing sightlines at intersections.
As with other crosswalk laws, it applies whether the curb is marked (painted) or not. The City of Sacramento is slowly rolling out the infrastructure needed to help people see where they can no longer park due to daylighting.
The ATC requests that the Creative Crosswalks program be expanded to include daylighting curbs and consider in the future, adding bike lanes to the types of street elements that could enhance safety, build community engagement, and provide visual appeal ma king our streets brighter and more walkable.
Cost:
Additional
Staffing
Year 1 Cost
Estimate
Recurring Annual Cost
Estimate
TBD $ 100,000
Figure 1: Example of a curb with painted daylighting and bike racks
Figure 2: Example of a creative crosswalk, courtesy of
BikeUtah.com
Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Annual Report
Recommendations Summary
Additional
Staffing
Year 1
Cost Estimate
Recurring Annual
Cost Estimate
Increase Funding for Active Transportation
Infrastructure Projects
$3,000,000 $3,300,000*
Implement the Traffic Calming Toolbox 0.5 $2,100,000 $2,300,000
0.5 Increase the Budget for the Sacramento
Quick-Build Program
$1,100,000 $1,200,000
Implement Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI)
Citywide
$500,000
Develop a Citywide Safe Routes to School
Program
1 $800,000 $800,000
1 Implement No Right Turn on Red Citywide $500,000
Pedestrian Safety Review of Proposed
Transitional Housing
$100,000 $100,000
Expansion of Creative Crosswalk Policy $100,000
Additional
Staffing
Year 1
Cost Estimate
Recurring Annual
Cost Estimate
Totals 3 $8,200,000 $7,700,000*
* These costs are expected to increase each year.