Implementation Overview

Pedestrian Masterplan > Implementation Overview

The Pedestrian Master Plan is both a near-term and a long-term plan. Many of the tools and information in the plan can be used immediately by public agencies, non-profit organizations, and community members to support walking in Seattle, including the Pedestrian Toolbox, the Along and Across the Roadway maps and the project Prioritization Process.

The plan also takes an extended view of the actions that must happen to sustain Seattle as a walkable city. Some of these longer-term actions require ongoing partnerships that do not currently exist, may be very costly, or may require additional research to implement. However, it is important to include these types of actions in the plan to ensure that they move forward and are ready to be implemented when the partnerships, funding, or additional information are available.

This section of the plan includes a description of early implementation actions, near-term recommendations, and long-term recommendations. The Objectives and Strategies provide an overview of the types of changes the plan seeks to make, and the full list of plan actions includes more detail on each tactic, including proposed milestones and the partners needed to move the action forward.

In addition to the full list of plan actions, the Prioritization Process describes the development of projects, including lists and maps of the highest priority project locations based on the demand, equity, and corridor function analyses.

Early Implementation

Early implementation actions are those projects, programs, and policy changes that have been implemented since the Pedestrian Master Plan effort began in 2007.

Enforcement

• Crosswalk "stings" (2008: 2 deployments at 3 locations each; 2009: 3 deployments at 3 locations each, 10 total deployments scheduled for 2009)
• Speed vans (2008 pilot; 2009 deployment at school zones, 25-30 times)
• School zone beacons (3 new locations)

Education

• School-based education programs for second grade students (4 schools: Arbor Heights, Bailey Gatzert, Broadview Thompson, Dunlap)
• Safe routes to school program 7 schools
• Public safety campaign framework plan

Encouragement

• Pedestrian wayfinding signs and kiosks installed in Center City and the Cheshiahud Loop Trail
• West Seattle Trails Map completion (Feet First)
• Construction zone access improvements

Evaluation

• Crossing flags program (evaluation of 2008 program underway)
• Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors survey on driver and pedestrian behaviors to inform a public safety campaign

Engineering (2008 only, unless otherwise noted)

• Blocks of sidewalk constructed: 29 block equivalents (330'=1 block equivalent)
• Curb ramps installed: 340
• In-pavement flashers installed: 6
• Pedestrian countdown signals installed: 27
• Crosswalks re-marked: 1082
• Road diets completed: 3 corridors (Stone Way, Eastlake Ave, College Way N)
• Radar speed signs installed: 14 (2007-2008)
• Crossing flags installed: 17 locations
• Pedestrian half signals installed: 6
• Median islands installed: 3
• Overhead illuminated crosswalk signs installed: 8
• Signing and channelization improvements: 4

Policies

• Stop bars now regularly striped with all new marked crosswalks and all crosswalk re-striping
• New walkway standard plans developed to be added to the 2010 city standards update
• Complete Streets policy revised to address parking removal at intersection approaches to improve intersection visibility

Near-Term Actions

Those tactics identified in the full list of plan actions for completion by 2011 are considered near-term actions. SDOT will report annually on progress towards meeting these milestones to the Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, the stewards of the Plan.

In addition to program and policy actions, near-term construction of new infrastructure projects as well as system maintenance will continue. Based on funding provided by Bridging the Gap, the following types and numbers of projects are anticipated through 2014:

Sidewalks (a block equivalent is 330' long)

• 158 block equivalents (26 block equivalents annually)

Significant Crossing Treatments (e.g., signals, crossing islands)

• 18 intersections (3 intersections annually)

Smaller Crossing Treatments (e.g., curb ramps, crosswalks)

• 579 intersections (96 intersections annually)

Maintenance - Along the Roadway

• sidewalk repair and replacement, asphalt shims, vegetation maintenance and management, and tree pruning

Maintenance - Across the Roadway

• crosswalk marking maintenance, repair of tactile warning strips, and signage replacement and repair

Longer-Term Actions

Those tactics identified in the full list of plan actions for completion by 2015 or beyond are considered longer-term actions. SDOT will report on progress towards meeting these milestones, if applicable, during the annual Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board status update.