WS Item 4 - Walk Friendly AuditPage 1 of 7
www.walkfriendly.org info@walkfriendly.org
COMMUNITY REPORT CARD AND FEEDBACK:
Southlake, Texas
April 25, 2011
Introduction
Thank you for submitting an application to the Walk Friendly Community program on behalf of
Southlake, Texas! A Walk Friendly Community is a city or town that has shown a commitment to
improving walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans and
policies.
Each application was evaluated by at least three reviewers to provide a fair assessment of your
community and provide technical feedback on how to improve the walkability of your
community.
After thorough consideration of your application, we are unable to designate Southlake as a
Walk Friendly Community. However, there were several areas that we were particularly
impressed with, including:
The standards for requiring sidewalks on both sides of collector and arterial streets, as
well as requiring them in new development, are quite advanced. Furthermore, you have
a system in place for retrofitting your network and filling sidewalk gaps.
The Safe Routes to School programs in Southlake are also particularly noteworthy. With
a 100% participation rate in schools, Southlake is a model program for other
communities.
The enforcement efforts in Southlake are commendable as well. By issuing substantial
numbers of citations for speeding, failure to yield, and parking on sidewalks, people will
realize that walking, and a safe walking environment, is an important aspect of life in the
city. In addition, the presence of photo enforcement reinforces the idea that pedestrian
safety is paramount for citizens in Southlake.
Southlake, as a small community, has exhibited a desire to become a community that supports
pedestrian transportation. Unlike many other communities of similar size, Southlake has
improved safety and health in the community and also created a pedestrian-friendly downtown.
You have made some excellent progress, requiring sidewalks, encouraging citizen participation,
and enforcing laws that support pedestrian safety.
Page 2 of 7
www.walkfriendly.org info@walkfriendly.org
Despite those positive elements, we have noted several areas in which your community can
improve its policies, programs, and standards. Please continue to build upon this foundation to
work to become a Walk Friendly Community. This report card provides detailed feedback on
how your community can take it to the next level; take the time to review the feedback and
contact us with any questions.
Primary Recommendations
This section identifies and provides suggestions for the most vital areas of improving Southlake’s
overall walkability. Additional details are provided in the following sections. We recommend
that you read these areas thoroughly and develop clear goals, benchmarks, funding sources,
and an implementation schedule for reaching these goals.
Pedestrian crash information should be easily obtainable using police crash reports and
can provide a great deal of information with respect to why crashes are occurring.
Analyzing this data, determining which crash countermeasures are appropriate, and
creating implementation schemes are possible steps to take to address crash problems
in Southlake.
One improvement that Southlake could undertake is to conduct pedestrian and bicycle
counts in the city. This type of evaluation could be helpful in determining where people
are walking and where to direct investment in pedestrian infrastructure.
Having no pedestrian crashes could indicate a very safe walking environment, but it
could also reflect the low percentage of walking trips. The Census data shows that few
people are walking when compared to other parts of the country – you should make
efforts to promote walking and active transportation.
One good first step would be to develop and adopt a dedicated pedestrian plan,
including a position for a pedestrian coordinator. You have many good programs in your
community. A dedicated plan, with clear goals and realistic/measurable outcomes, can
coordinate these efforts and bring your programs to the next level.
Education and encouragement efforts are vital to walking in a community, particularly
in a community with walking volumes below the national average. Southlake, as a result
of its rapid development, has a unique opportunity to create an environment supportive
of walking. Education and encouragement programs will support the environment and
help advance walking as a legitimate mode of transportation in the community.
Feedback by Section
This remainder of this report card will provide detailed feedback and suggestions for each
section in the community assessment tool. Feedback will include research to support the
importance of this question as well as tools, guides, and case studies of successful
implementations in other communities.
Each section received an overall score as defined below:
Walk Friendly: The responses in this section indicate that your community is particularly
strong in this area with great efforts being made towards improving walkability. Even so,
there are always areas within this section where improvements and growth could be
made.
Page 3 of 7
www.walkfriendly.org info@walkfriendly.org
On the Right Track: This score indicates that your community does not exhibit the
characteristics to be truly walk friendly in this section, but that there are still good
existing programs or new programs that could be expanded. Please review our
suggestions on how you could improve the walkability in this area.
Needs Attention: This score indicates that your community does not yet demonstrate
strong programs, policies, and results, characteristic of a Walk Friendly Community
based on the responses in this section. Please review our suggestions carefully on how
you can create positive change in your community with both short- and long-term
objectives.
Community Profile
Needs Attention
In a small town such as Southlake, it is understandable that only a small amount of time
can realistically be dedicated to pedestrian and bicycle issues per year, due to the
constraints on staff time. However, by dedicating more staff time to these issues,
substantial improvement to the pedestrian environment can be realized. The lack of a
dedicated Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Advocacy Group focused solely on
pedestrian issues is another area for improvement. Check out the report Why
Communities & States Need Bicycle and Pedestrian Staff
Status of Walking
Needs Attention
Encouraging walking in a small community can be difficult. Reversing the trend of less
walking and biking and more driving often takes substantial political will and
necessitates a receptive public to the idea. Studies have been done about the economic
benefits of walking and biking, not to mention the transportation, air quality, and health
benefits. Many online resources can be helpful in making the case for walking in the
"right" way. Also, conducting one’s own counts can provide a clearer picture of the
status of walking in a community. The presence of pedestrian infrastructure also has a
large effect on walking in a community.
Crash information is a critical element of the pedestrian planning process and should be
available from the local police department. The community needs to have a good
understanding of the number of crashes, where the crashes are happening, who is
involved, and the factors influencing the prevalence of crashes, such as weather
conditions, lighting, and others. The guide, How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action
Plan, can assist Southlake with identifying sources of data that can be used in the
planning process, and methods for analyzing your crash data.
The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project could provide some insight
on how to conduct pedestrian and bicycle counts in Southlake.
Planning
Needs Attention
Though a sidewalk plan will help Southlake develop the backbone of its pedestrian
infrastructure, there are many other elements that must be included in a pedestrian
Page 4 of 7
www.walkfriendly.org info@walkfriendly.org
plan. For example, other engineering measures must be included, such as crossing
facilities and pedestrian signals. It is also critical to include evaluation elements in the
plan. Improvements are most effective when they are combined with community
education campaigns and enforcement activities to help residents understand the
purpose and proper use of new facilities. Finally, pedestrian crash history should be one
of the factors that determines where infrastructure investments are made. Some of
these elements are included in the SRTS plan in the appendix, though it would be useful
to suggest incorporating some of those elements into your full plan (especially the
evaluation components and crash histories). For more guidance on the elements of a
good pedestrian plan, refer to the guide How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action
Plan.
Despite the presence of a statewide ADA Transition plan, it is likely that there are still
some facilities that are not in compliance with ADA, and it is recommended that you
develop some sort of inventory of those facilities, along with a plan for updating them. It
is good to see that all of the recent developments are including compliant sidewalks,
curbs, and ramps. This case study could also provide some guidance about involving
citizens in the ADA compliance process.
A complete streets policy is an excellent way to ensure that pedestrians (and all other
road users) are included in every transportation project. Communities across the
country are implementing these policies, and it would be a good idea for Southlake to
consider one as well. The National Complete Streets Coalition can provide more detail.
The description of involvement shows that Southlake values and prioritizes public
participation. A next step should be the development of a dedicated bicycle and
pedestrian advisory board, which can provide the City with assistance in identifying and
discussing pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and initiatives. The role of citizen
participation is the focus of this case study.
It is good to see that trails and paths are prioritized, though more incentives could help
increase the number of trails included in new development. Trails can help bridge the
links within the sidewalk network. The Rails to Trails Conservancy and the FHWA's
Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access could be helpful here.
These seem to be good parking policies, especially those applicable in the downtown
area. To promote biking or walking to work, you might consider introducing cash-out
incentives among large employers in the area. San Francisco provides a Best Practices
document, which could be useful for a community like Southlake.
With a young community like Southlake, policies that encourage infill development can
make a big difference in the quality of future development. To foster a pedestrian-
friendly environment, high-density, mixed use developments can help connect
residential units to commercial areas. Density bonuses, form-based codes, and
neighborhood school siting policies are examples of encouragement measures that
support walking.
Various types of urban design features can really enhance the pedestrian environment.
As Southlake is planning extensive sidewalk construction, they should consider
incorporating some of these elements as well: Sidewalk furniture (benches),
landscaping, public art (murals, sidewalk designs), public restrooms, water fountains,
signs, wayfinding, and walking maps These types of enhancements can be personalized
to include the community's logo or design that resonates with citizens and creates a
sense of place.
Page 5 of 7
www.walkfriendly.org info@walkfriendly.org
Education & Encouragement
Needs Attention
The SRTS plan, which is included in the sidewalk plan appendix, is quite impressive.
Having all of the schools participate is particularly noteworthy, though it is
recommended that the SRTS activities be extended to other schools in the community.
Even if they aren't within walking distance from residential areas, the school can still
conduct programs that allow the students to walk at school, combined with educational
programs. See the National Center for Safe Routes to School website for more
information.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center provides free webinars and training,
which could be useful for staff in Southlake. Providing background pedestrian safety
knowledge to your staff, including engineers, planners, law enforcement, health
professionals, educators, and decision makers, can enhance your town’s pedestrian
programs.
Education and outreach programs are critical elements of pedestrian safety programs.
This seems especially relevant in Southlake, where such a high priority is given to
involving the public in safety efforts. Visit this link for more information on different
types of educational programs. Strategies for encouraging walking can be found here.
It is commendable that Southlake provides walking maps; however, this could be
improved by also providing wayfinding and route signs to help guide walkers. This case
study can provide more information about starting walking routes based on local
history.
More events like street festivals and downtown farmer's markets could enhance the
status of walking in Southlake and reinforce the legitimacy of walking in the city.
Southlake should consider hosting Car Free Events, or Ciclovias, to promote walking.
These programs have been successfully implemented all over the world, including in
Chicago, Illinois, and Clearwater, Florida.
Engineering
On the Right Track
Requiring minimum sidewalk widths is very important - both the Institute of
Transportation Engineers and Federal Highway Administration recommend a minimum
width of 5' for sidewalks. Wider sidewalks are necessary in other areas, such as transit
stops and areas experiencing heavy foot traffic. For more information, visit this link. It is
important to design sidewalks that show separation from driveways, giving motorists a
visual cue that the pedestrian has right of way. This can be done with different types of
paving treatments.
It is good to see that a majority of arterials have sidewalks on at least one side. Your
sidewalks plan should help complete this network. This case study can provide more
information about creating a successful sidewalk construction program.
Performing an inventory is a necessary step to planning for pedestrians, as well as
complying with ADA requirements. Without knowing the number, location, and quality
of existing facilities, it is difficult to know what areas need to receive priority in
infrastructure investment. This page outlines the importance of inventories, and gives
Page 6 of 7
www.walkfriendly.org info@walkfriendly.org
some tips on how to develop your own. In addition, the City of Seattle has an excellent
website that covers its system of prioritizing sidewalk improvements.
It is good to see that the City is installing crosswalks and pedestrian signals, but there
needs to be a system in place for identifying those locations that are in most need of
improvements. On multilane roads, it is critical to provide advance stop lines to reduce
the occurrence of multiple threat crashes. See this page on crosswalks for more
information. Other types of crossing enhancements are further described here.
The newest update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices provides a number
of innovative treatments to support walking.
A push-button activated pedestrian signal is a good treatment to install, but there are
some other treatments that may help increase safety for pedestrians. Those include
HAWK signals (see link), rapid flash beacons (see link), restricting right turns on red, and
leading pedestrian intervals.
Pedestrian Refuge Islands can be an important component in creating a safer
environment for pedestrians, particularly in combination with other pedestrian
amenities such as countdown signals. Columbia, Missouri, provides some helpful
guidelines and policies with regard to pedestrian crossings.
Depending on the area in question, providing an innovative treatment such as a HAWK
beacon or a pedestrian scramble/all red interval could provide substantial upgrades to
the pedestrian environment and improve pedestrian safety. The city of Southlake should
consider soliciting public input or calling a meeting of the pedestrian and bicycle
advisory committee and determining if these and other treatments (see MUTCD 2009)
could be implemented/would be applicable.
The traffic calming policy is a comprehensive document, but should be updated. There
are numerous traffic calming devices that are not included, and could be added.
Examples of these treatments can be found in the PEDSAFE guide.
Enforcement
On the Right Track
It is promising to see that a majority of your officers are involved in traffic enforcement.
It would be very helpful to develop a traffic safety unit within your police department,
or at least assign this responsibility to a traffic safety officer.
Speed feedback signs can be effective in lowering speeds - consider moving these signs
around to areas where speeding is a concern (as opposed to leaving them in one place).
These other programs (decoy operations, progressive ticketing) can also be effective in
communicating other pedestrian safety laws to drivers and pedestrians. Consider
implementing some of these programs, and highlighting them in your local media. This
will help reach a larger audience. More information is available at this link. More
information can be found here.
Both emergency call boxes and improved street lighting can further enhance security
and safety. One recommendation would be to check the existing street lights to make
sure they are well-maintained. You may also consider switching to LED or white lighting
technologies to improve visibility of pedestrians and motorists.
Providing more information and a complete link to the policy on school crossing guards
would enhance this response. Please make sure you are including the necessary
equipment (reflective vest, “stop” paddle) with each crossing guard. The Adult School
Crossing Guard Guidelines might be a helpful resource.
Page 7 of 7
www.walkfriendly.org info@walkfriendly.org
While many departments select locations based on crash history, it is sometimes helpful
to look at areas where high crime and high crashes overlap. The Data Driven Approaches
to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS) provides a methodology for targeting these types
of areas, which may result in a more efficient deployment of resources.
This response demonstrates a collaborative approach to identifying safety concerns. If
you are already discussing pedestrian safety concerns on a regular basis, consider taking
the same group out to conduct Road Safety Audits. You can use these audits to identify
safety concerns that may not be apparent based on crash data or citizen complaints.
Evaluation
Needs Attention
A counting/surveying program is very important. Knowing how many people are
walking, and where, should be a factor that is used to prioritize future infrastructure
investments. Surveys can allow Southlake to receive regular public input on various
types of projects and initiatives. This FAQ might give you some additional ideas for
surveying your local community. Also, an ongoing count program could be very valuable,
especially since the Census data indicates a small mode share for walking. Consider
participating in the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project, or at least
use their count forms and methodology to begin your own counts.
The walkability checklist is a valuable tool for citizens and local advocacy groups.
However, many advanced survey/audit instruments are available. These can be used to
systematically review the local infrastructure and develop prioritized lists of areas to
improve. See the Walk Friendly Communities assessment tool for more information on
each of these. In addition, the Pedestrian Road Safety Audit Guidelines and Prompt Lists
can be very valuable for diverse groups of City staff (engineers, planners, law
enforcement) in reviewing the pedestrian environment and developing
recommendations.
More Information
If you have questions or comments regarding this feedback, your community’s initiatives and
programs, or the application process in general, we’d like to hear from you. Please contact:
Carl Sundstrom, 919-843-4963, sundstrom@hsrc.unc.edu
Dan Gelinne, 919-962-8703, gelinne@hsrc.unc.edu
You can also send general inquiries to info@walkfriendly.org