CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
POLICY: PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK POLICY
POLICY NO.: DATE:
*Sourced from City of Imperial Beach, City of Menlo Park, and City of Manteca, crosswalk policies. **Sourced from City of San Diego, and City of Menlo Park, crosswalk policies.
PURPOSE
Crosswalk markings are essential for directing road users to designated pedestrian crossing areas at intersections or mid-block locations. This policy sets forth the standards and guidelines for deciding when a crosswalk is necessary to support the safe passage of pedestrians.
At uncontrolled locations, crosswalks should only be installed following an engineering study. This study must, at a minimum, assess factors such as the number of travel lanes, posted or operating speed, vehicular and pedestrian volumes, crossing distance, roadway geometry, the condition of sidewalks and pedestrian ramps, visibility, and the proximity to the nearest traffic-controlled intersections. This includes all-way stops, traffic signals, and pedestrian-activated traffic control devices like Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) and High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) systems.
The disadvantages of installing unwarranted crosswalks at uncontrolled locations include:
• Increased risk of pedestrian-vehicle collisions : Unwarranted crosswalks may lead to a higher likelihood of accidents between pedestrians and vehicles. • False sense of security for pedestrians : Pedestrians may overestimate their safety, leading to risky behavior.
• Potential rise in vehicle rear-end collisions : Drivers may brake suddenly for pedestrians, increasing the chance of rear-end accidents. • High maintenance costs : Regular upkeep is required to repaint faded marki ngs and replace worn signs, leading to increased expenses.
POLICY
Warrants for Crosswalks at Mid-blocks and Uncontrolled Intersections
At uncontrolled/mid-block locations, the following warrants must be satisfied to justify the installation of marked crosswalks (see Appendix A for worksheet):
• High Pedestrian Volume: There must be a high number of pedestrians, either currently present or planned, totaling 20 or more per hour*. For calculation purposes, Children under 13, elderly over 64 years and/or disabled persons are counted as 1.5 pedestrians**. • Stopping Sight Distance: The minimum stopping sight distance must comply wit h the latest edition of the Caltrans Highway Design Manual, specifically Table 201.1. • Speed and Traffic Volume: The posted speed limit or 85 th percentile speed must be 40 mph or less. Additionally, the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) should be under 12,000 vehicles per day without a raised median, or under 15,000 vehicles per day with a raised median,
PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK POLICY
according to Section 3B.18 of California MUTCD, 201 4 Edition, Revision 8. If the speed limit exceeds 40 mph, a traffic signal warrant anal ysis must be conducted per California MUTCD and is subject to approval by the City Engineer.
• Proximity to Nearest Controlled Crossing: The nearest controlled crossing must be at least 300 feet away.
• Sidewalk and Pedestrian Ramp Compliance : Adequate sidewalks and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps must exist or are planned for construction. • Lighting: Sufficient lighting adjacent to the crosswalk must be in place or planned.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK POLICY
Crossing Treatments
The table below outlines the guidelines for appropriate pedestrian crossing treatments, which are determined by the number of lanes, traffic volumes, and roadway speed, once the criteria in Appendix A are satisfied.
Table derived from various sources: FHWA, MUTCD, and other agencies listed in References below.
HVY = High Visibility Yellow “Continental” or “ladder” Crosswalks whichever type is approved by the City Engineer.
RRFB/OFB = Rectangle Rapid Flashing Beacons or Over head Flashing Beacons PHB/PS = Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (also referred to as HAWK) and must satisfy warrants per CA-MUTCD.
Crosswalks at Controlled Intersections (Signal or All-Way Stop)
Marked crosswalks are generally recommended on all approaches to a controlled intersection, except in the following cases:
• When heavy left or right turn movements could conf lict with pedestrian crossings. • When sight visibility is restricted for both motor ists and pedestrians.
High-visibility crosswalks should be considered in areas with high pedestrian traffic or when the crossing is on a direct route to/from key pedestria n destinations such as schools, shopping centers, or senior centers.
Removal of Crosswalks
The removal of crosswalks may be necessary due to safety concerns at existing locations or after new crosswalks have been installed. Before any crosswalk is removed, the City will adhere to the notification requirements outlined in CVC Section 21950.5:
(a) A marked crosswalk cannot be removed unless the public is given notice and an opportunity to be heard at least 30 days before the scheduled removal date. In addition to other public notice requirements, a notice of the proposed removal must be posted at the crosswalk designated for removal.
30 mph or
less 35 mph 40 mph 30 mph or
less 35 mph 40 mph 30 mph or
less 35 mph 40 mph
2 HV HV HV,
RRFB/OFB HV HV HV,
RRFB/OFB HV HV,
RRFB/OFB
HV,
PHB/PS
3 HV HV HV,
RRFB/OFB HV HV,
RRFB/OFB
HV,
RRFB/OFB
HV,
RRFB/OFB
HV,
RRFB/OFB
HV,
PHB/PS
4+ with
raised
median
HV, SS HV,SS HV,
RRFB/OFB HV,SS HV, SS,
RRFB/OFB
HV, SS,
RRFB/OFB
HV, SS,
RRFB/OFB
HV,
PHB/PS
HV,
PHB/PS
4+ without
raised
median
HV, SS HV, SS,
RRFB/OFB
HV,
RRFB/OFB
HV, SS,
RRFB/OFB
HV, SS,
RRFB/OFB
HV,
PHB/PS
HV,
PHB/PS
HV,
PHB/PS
HV,
PHB/PS
9,000 ADT or less 9,000 to 12,000 ADT 12,000 to 15,00 0 ADT Number of Lanes
PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK POLICY
(b) The notice required under subdivision (a) must include, but is not limited to, the following information:
(1) An invitation for the public to provide input regarding the scheduled removal. (2) Details on how the public can submit their inpu t, including the form and method of submission.
REFERENCES:
1. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations, July 2018.
2. California MUTCD, 2014 Edition, Revision 8
3. Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT): Tra ffic Engineering Guidelines and Processes, Section 900 – Pedestrians, June 2015.
4. City of Menlo Park: Citywide Crosswalk Policy, S eptember 13, 2016.
5. City of Manteca: Pedestrian Safety and Crosswalk Installation Guidelines, Fehr & Peers, April,2011.
6. City of San Diego: Marked Crosswalk Criteria at Uncontrolled Locations, June 11, 2015.
7. Caltrans Highway Design Manual, 7
th Edition, July 1, 2020.
8. 2022 California Vehicle Code (CVC).
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix A: Pedestrian Crosswalk Installation Warrants Checklist
LOCATION:
PREPARED BY: DATE:
CHECKED BY: DATE:
APPROVED BY: DATE:
CRITERIA REQUIREMENTS YES NO REMARKS
PC WARRANTS
PC.1 HIGH NUMBER OF PEDESTRIANS EXIST OR ARE PLANNED (20
PER/HOUR OR GREATER)
PC.2 MINIMUM STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE IS MET BASED ON CAL TRANS HDM STANDARDS TABLE 201.1
PC.3 THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OR 85TH PERCENTILE SPEED OF THE ROADWAY IS 40 MPH OR LESS
PC.4 ADT IS LESS THAN 12,000 WITHOUT A RAISED MEDIAN AND LESS THAN 15,000 WITH A RAISED MEDIAN
PC.5 NEAREST CONTROLLED CROSSWALK IS AT LEAST 300 FT AWAY PC.6
ADEQUATE SIDEWALK ALONG BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET AN D ADA
COMPLIANT PEDESTRIAN RAMPS EXIST OR ARE PLANNED FOR
CONSTRUCTION
PC.7 ADEQUATE LIGHTING ADJACENT TO THE CROSSWALK MUST EX IST OR
IS PLANNED
PC - PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK
HDM - HIGHWAY DESIGN MANUAL
ADT - AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC
APPENDIX A
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK INSTALLATION WARRANTS WORKSHEET
AT MID-BLOCK AND UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS, THE FO LLOWING WARRANTS MUST BE SATISFIED TO JUSTIFY THE I NSTALLATION OF MARKED CROSSWALKS
IF ALL THE CRITERIAS LISTED ABOVE ARE YES , A MARKED MIDBLOCK CROSSWALK CAN BE INSTALLED AFTE R THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY ENGINEER