CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
POLICY : SCHOOL CROSSWALK POLICY
POLICY NO.: DATE:
*Sourced from City of Imperial Beach, City of Menlo Park, and City of Manteca, crosswalk policies.
PURPOSE
Crosswalk markings are essential for directing road users to designated pedestrian crossing areas at intersections or mid-block locations. Scho ol crosswalks are specifically located near school buildings or grounds. This policy sets forth the standards and guidelines for deciding when a crosswalk is necessary to support the safe passag e of school-aged pedestrians, from five to eighteen years old.
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 School 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 school pedestrians, either currently present or planned, totaling 20 or more per hour*. • Direct Route to School: The crossing should be on a direct route to or from a school or school grounds.
• 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.
SCHOOL CROSSWALK POLICY
• 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, 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.
Additionally, coordination with San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is required.
SCHOOL CROSSWALK POLICY
School Area Crossing Treatments
School zone signs and pavement markings play a cruc ial role in enhancing safety within school zones by informing drivers. School crosswalk signs should only be used at crossings adjacent to schools or on designated school pedestrian routes.
The table below outlines the guidelines for appropr iate school 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.
SAS = School area signage and striping per CA-MUTCD Sections 7B and 7C.
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.
School Crosswalks at Controlled Intersections (Signal or All-Way Stop)
Marked school 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.
According to California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21368, a ny marked pedestrian crosswalk adjacent to a school building or grounds must be painted or marked in yellow. This requirement also extends to all crosswalks at an intersection if any one of them is marked in yellow. Additionally, other marked crosswalks may be painted yellow if:
(a) The nearest point of the crosswalk is within 600 feet of a school building or grounds, or
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 HVY, SAS HVY, SAS HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB HVY, SAS HVY, SAS HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB HVY, SAS HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS
PHB/PS
3 HVY, SAS HVY, SAS HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB HVY, SAS HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS
PHB/PS
4+ with
raised
median
HVY, SAS HVY, SAS HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB HVY, SAS HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS
PHB/PS
HVY, SAS
PHB/PS
4+ without
raised
median
HVY, SAS HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS,
RRFB/OFB
HVY, SAS
PHB/PS
HVY, SAS
PHB/PS
HVY, SAS
PHB/PS
HVY, SAS
PHB/PS
Number of
Lanes
9,000 ADT or less 9,000 to 12,000 ADT 12,000 to 15,00 0 ADT
SCHOOL CROSSWALK POLICY
(b) The nearest point of the crosswalk is not more than 2,800 feet from a school building or the grounds thereof, there are no intervening cross walks other than those contiguous to the school grounds, and it appears that the facts a nd circumstances require special painting or marking of the crosswalks for the prote ction and safety of persons attending the school.
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.
(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 input, 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: School Crosswalk Installation Warrants Checklist LOCATION:
PREPARED BY: DATE:
CHECKED BY: DATE:
APPROVED BY: DATE:
CRITERIA REQUIREMENTS YES NO REMARKS
SC WARRANTS
SC.1
THE PROPOSED CROSSING IS ON A DIRECT ROUTE TO OR FR OM A
SCHOOL OR SCHOOL GROUNDS, OR AS IDENTIFIED IN A SAF E ROUTE TO SCHOOL MAP (WHERE APPLICABLE).
SC.2 HIGH NUMBER OF SCHOOL AGED PEDESTRIANS 1 EXIST OR ARE PLANNED (20 PER/HOUR OR GREATER)
SC.3 MINIMUM STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE IS MET BASED ON CAL TRANS HDM STANDARDS TABLE 201.1
SC.4 THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OR 85TH PERCENTILE SPEED OF THE ROADWAY IS 40 MPH OR LESS
SC.5 ADT IS LESS THAN 12,000 WITHOUT A RAISED MEDIAN AND LESS THAN 15,000 WITH A RAISED MEDIAN
SC.6 NEAREST CONTROLLED CROSSWALK IS AT LEAST 300 FT AWAY SC.7
ADEQUATE SIDEWALK ALONG BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET AN D ADA
COMPLIANT PEDESTRIAN RAMPS EXIST OR ARE PLANNED FOR
CONSTRUCTION
SC.8 ADEQUATE LIGHTING ADJACENT TO THE CROSSWALK MUST EX IST OR
IS PLANNED
1 SCHOOL AGED PEDESTRIANS AGES OF FIVE TO EIGHTEEN
SC - SCHOOL CROSSWALK
HDM - HIGHWAY DESIGN MANUAL
ADT - AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SCHOOL CROSSWALK INSTALLATION WARRANTS WORKSHEET
AT MID-BLOCK AND UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS, THE FO LLOWING WARRANTS MUST BE SATISFIED TO JUSTIFY THE I NSTALLATION OF SCHOOL 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 AND COORDINATIO N WITH SAN BERNARDINO CITY
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (SBCUSD)
APPENDIX A