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WS Item 4` SOUTHLAKE For the City of Southlake to consider the adoption of a Vulnerable Road User Ordinance. Vulnerable Road User Ordinance ❑ Prepare an ordinance ❑ Do not proceed with ordinance ❑ Needs further study Background DFW: the 10' Most Dangerous Metro Area for Pedestrians in 2011 2011 Walk Friendly Audit 2011 Citizen Survey Southlake 2030 Plan Background Bicyclists and pedestrians are allowed to use the roadway by law in Texas, but because they do not have the same physical protection as motorists, they are at greater risk of injury or death. • In 2011, Dallas -Fort Worth was named the 10th Most Dangerous Metro Area for Pedestrians —with 942 pedestrian deaths over the past decade. —approximately 50 cyclists and 400 pedestrians are killed every year in the state of Texas. In April of 2011 Southlake received a Walk Friendly Audit encouraging us to pursue additional measures to ensure pedestrian safety —so that Southlake can move toward becoming an official Walk Friendly Community. (Also, adoption of a VRUO is the #1 Recommendation on Texas' Bike Friendly Report Card) The City of Southlake Citizen Survey from 2011 highlighted the community's desire for more bicycle and pedestrian friendly streets. • A number of the goals and objectives from the Southlake 2030 Plan call for bicycle and pedestrian friendly streets and encourage safe transportation 3 alternatives to the automobile. • One of the Tier 1 Recommendations from the 2030 Plan is to "Identify and seek to eliminate hazards to increase safe, efficient bicycle or pedestrian movement citywide." And one of the Gap Issues is to "Manage traffic congestion." However, during the current development of the Southlake 2030 Mobility Plan we also find that due to physical constraints (narrow rights -of -way and drainage conflicts), some areas of the city may not be able to accommodate sidewalks or separated bike lanes. So, a Vulnerable Road User Ordinance, often called a "Safe Passage Ordinance" or the "3-Foot Rule," can help us accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, and make roads safer for all who have the right to use them. (image: www.struck.us) 3 City of Southlake Strategy Map © The City of Southlake provides municipa[ services that support the highest quality of life for our residents and businesses_ we do this by delivering outstanding value and unrivaled quality in everything we do. �r Safety& Mobility Infrastructure QualityPartnerships & Performance Management Security Development Volunteerism & Service Delivery fY 0.rhiwethe [3 provide attrett We& [6 At[ract&keep topr cz wo�me navel cs vmmete ppperteniner hlgfiest standards uNque spe[es for businesses so drives dYnamEc& enencr lwlthin for padnershlps& of safety& nv enjoyment of personal s nehle economic security Ciry&rcglan interests environment volunteer involvement B1Achlrvebrst- I 8112ollab.—Ilh Imclesa status In ref act partncrr to ad City dlsdpllnes implemens service solutions Fl Adheret1fI111 lei map g—It prindples& bvdgat Ll Emureourpeople wderatend the at rMegy & hew they . -I but. to It L Manage the Business Bd Enhance resident Bgprovide 65lmprow B6nlarrmlre mmInyeflife&h.unass 6j high quehty performance of scot smtnlnebllirythmugh ustpmer delivery&pperntienal technology tourism arrvlcr processes Provide Financial Stewardship F3 1mesitoprovid,114 min Fa Achievefiscal wellness Fe Establish&maln[ain high euallty publlce sts mnderde t affective Internal cam role Promote Learning & Growth L1 Enhance leadership L3Atv-,d..r.o& l9 necopnlxe8 cepabliniestodeliv<r rclalns sNlletl reward high results V � werLionx 6mi performers .5 Empower Informed do"stun-maeing et ell Iwvels in t he ergenlaafien In relation to our Strategy Map, the Vulnerable Road User Ordinance would help us (CB01) implement recommendations from the 2030 plan, (Cl) achieve the highest standards of safety and security, and (C2) provide travel convenience within the City and region. Vulnerable Road User Ordinance PIM F9 .� � INiflk!N x:L101" r *=_9 1) Safer roads for all types of users. 2) Rules for vulnerable road users to follow to enhance their safety. 3) Rules for motorists to safely share the road and pass vulnerable road users. —The 3' Rule. So, the purposes for the Vulnerable Road User Ordinance are to- 1) Make roads safer for all types of users. 2) Define rules for vulnerable road users to follow to enhance their safety. 3) Define rules for motorists to safely share the road and pass vulnerable road users — This is often called the "3' Rule." * Would not override any existing laws or ordinances. (image: Texas Bicycle Coalition) 5 Who are Vulnerable Road Users? Pedestrians & Cyclists can also include: Construction/ Utility Workers Stranded Motorists Equestrians Electric Wheelchairs Farm Equipment Motorcyclists Who are Vulnerable Road Users? Primarily pedestrians and cyclists, however, ordinances from other cities extend protection to other types of vulnerable road users such as... runners, physically disabled persons, children, construction or maintenance workers, tow truck operators, utility workers, stranded motorists, equestrians, a person operating equipment other than a motor vehicle — wheelchair, electric wheelchair, skateboard, rollerblades, roller skates, manual scooter, unprotected farm equipment, or motorcycle, so long as the equipment is legal to operate on public streets Each of these vulnerable road users are required to abide by certain rules when they occupy the right-of-way, and motorists —who have the physical advantage— are required to share the right-of-way and observe safe passing distances. (images- www.douglasautomotive.com, www.wallingfordbike.com, www.moveovertennessee.org, triblocal.com, www.sdfu.org, www.aaaroadsideassistance.org) A Other Cities in Texas with Vulnerable Road User Ordinances spF-�ITD Denton Fort Worth LIM 3 O Plano New Braunfels sHaRE Austin San Antonio THE ROAD CAR.- ` 6`FT j Edinburg Beaumont TRUCK Helotes Brownsville :l El Paso A growing number of cities throughout the state are adopting Vulnerable Road User Ordinances. Note- Dallas is currently in the process of adopting an ordinance. (image- www.thewashcycle.com) 7 Proposed Approval Schedule January 22, 2013 - SPIN Meeting February 19, 2013 - City Council 15t Reading March 5, 2013 - City Council Znd Reading Proposed Approval Schedule 0 CITY OF SOUTHLAKE Questions