Report Title:

Pedestrian Safety; Pilot Study

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of transportation to conduct a pilot study to identify state and county intersections where the time to cross the intersection is insufficient for elderly pedestrians and determine impacts on current traffic volume.  (HB806 HD2)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

806

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to pedestrian safety.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The 2004 Elderly Pedestrian Integration Report prepared by SMS Research & Marketing Services, Inc., for the department of transportation indicated that there are approximately five hundred sixty pedestrian injuries in Hawaii each year and that an average of twenty-eight pedestrians die each year after being struck by a car.  Elderly pedestrians, age sixty-five and older, constituted the highest number of pedestrian fatalities when compared to all other age groups in Hawaii.

     The length of a flashing indication (hand symbol) is calculated based on the length of the crosswalk and the nationally-recognized average walking speed of pedestrians. 

However, elderly pedestrians need more time to cross major intersections due to their diminished physical abilities.  Considering that an elderly pedestrian generally crosses the street at a slower walking speed, providing only limited timeframes to cross the street safely puts elderly pedestrians at risk.

     Recently, AARP Hawaii staff, volunteers, and community partners gathered at intersections across Hawaii to conduct "walkability" assessments along many of Hawaii's busiest streets and identified many intersections where the timeframes to cross the street safely were too short.  Hawaii's elderly pedestrians should not have to rush to cross the street.  The length of a flashing indication should be sufficient for elderly pedestrians to cross the street safely.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of transportation, in conjunction with the counties, to conduct a pilot study to identify intersections where the time to cross the intersection is insufficient for elderly pedestrians, and to appropriate funds for the implementation of the pilot study.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of transportation, in conjunction with each county, shall conduct a pilot study to identify state and county intersections where the time to cross the intersection is insufficient for elderly pedestrians.

     (b)  The department of transportation, in conjunction with each county, shall focus the study on state and county intersections where there are significant elderly populations and significant elderly pedestrian traffic and where the timeframes for elderly persons to cross the street safely may be insufficient.

     (c)  The study shall also include the impact that lengthening the pedestrian walk times will have on current traffic volumes and congestion, along with remedies to alleviate adverse effects of the lengthening of pedestrian walk times.

     (d)  The department of transportation shall submit an interim report, including proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008 and a final report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 for the department of transportation to conduct a pilot study to identify state and county intersections where the time to cross the intersection is insufficient for elderly pedestrians.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.