Hawaii-2019-HR75-Introduced

WHEREAS, marked crosswalks are to alert motorists of the potential pedestrian crossing and define the area where pedestrians have the right-of-way, as reported by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in Intersections and Crossings, section 5, July 2013; and

WHEREAS, crosswalks that are not at corners of a street are known as mid-block crossings by the DOT and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); and

WHEREAS, according to the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, over 75 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur at mid-block crossings nationwide; and

WHEREAS, in Hawaii, DOT reports that pedestrian fatalities have more than doubled from 15 pedestrian fatalities in 2017 to 44 pedestrian fatalities in 2018; and

WHEREAS, drivers' inattention to traffic signs, red lights, and pedestrians in crosswalks caused 1,200 serious injuries and 44 pedestrian fatalities in 2018 and 9 pedestrian fatalities through February 2019; and

WHEREAS, many incidents of fatalities and serious injuries have occurred at mid-block crossings that lack signage and signalization, as these crossings are not clearly visible to inattentive drivers; and

WHEREAS, mid-block crossings without traffic lights, signage, or signalization can be improved by the implementation of flashing lights, pedestrian actuated devices, or other crosswalk sensors that are activated before and during pedestrian crossings within the marked crosswalks; and

WHEREAS, flashing lights or other pedestrian actuated devices at mid-block crossings and crosswalks have the potential to capture the attention of drivers, which will prevent or reduce injuries and pedestrian fatalities in the State; and

WHEREAS, the State's roadways need to be made safe for all users, but particularly vulnerable children, those with limited physical abilities, and the elderly; and

WHEREAS, further insights on the current and proposed use of flashing lights or other pedestrian actuated devices at crosswalks can be provided to prevent pedestrian injuries and fatalities; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that the Department of Transportation is requested to convene a task force to establish better safety conditions at crosswalks and report on recommended locations and potential costs to implement pedestrian actuated safety signals at mid-block crossings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this task force shall consist of members from the DOT, Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu, the Traffic Division of the Department of Public Works of the County of Hawaii, the Transportation Agency of the County of Kauai, and the Department of Transportation of the County of Maui; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this task force will study and report on:

(1) All crosswalks within the State that lack corresponding traffic lights, signage, or signalization;

(2) Safety regulations required by each crosswalk identified in paragraph (1), such as signage requirements based on daily traffic, and a detailed list of requirements that are not currently met;

(3) Incidences of pedestrian accidents, injuries, and fatalities at each of the crosswalks identified in paragraph (1);

(4) A prioritized list of all crosswalks that require further safety intervention, as determined by the task force;

(5) A description of possible pedestrian actuated devices to alert drivers of potential and in-progress crossings within mid-block crosswalks, including, but not limited to, flashing lights or other devices activated through sensors, pressure, touch, or similar mechanisms; and

(6) Recommended pedestrian actuated devices for each location identified in paragraph (4), and estimated costs and timelines needed for implementation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all recommendations made by the task force shall fall within the standards of the current edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to report its findings to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation; the Mayors of the City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, County of Maui, and County of Kauai; Director of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu; Director of Public Works of the County of Hawaii; Executive of Transportation of the County of Kauai; and Director of Transportation of the County of Maui.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Task Force; Mid-block Crosswalks

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	75
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII