Pedestrian Projects

MARICOPA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
MAKES PEDESTRIANS A PRIORITY

(PHOENIX, August 12, 1998)-- The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) says considering the needs of pedestrians is critical in planning transportation facilities of the future.

"Above all, people need to know they can walk on valley streets safely," says Leslie Dornfeld, Regional Development Manager for MAG. "But beyond that, they need walkways that are user- friendly and attractive. The more people we can get out of their cars and on the streets, the closer we'll be to reducing congestion and breathing cleaner air."

Dornfeld says much is already being done in the area of pedestrian planning. The Maricopa Association of Governments has already committed $180,000 in pedestrian improvement projects — and more money is on the way.

"It's important that people realize we are working hard to make the valley a prime pedestrian location," says Mike Branham, Assistant City Manager for the City of Surprise and Chair of MAG's Pedestrian Working Group. "While there's still much to be done, valley municipalities have recognized this as a significant issue."

The comments come in the wake of the annual "Mean Streets" report released last week by the Surface Transportation Policy Project. The report ranked the valley fifth in pedestrian risk, behind Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and Providence, R.I.

In 1995, MAG developed its Pedestrian Policies and Design Guidelines to set a regional standard for pedestrians throughout the region. These guidelines are contained in a comprehensive manual of pedestrian policies and facility design that can be used by community groups, planners and design professionals.

"The book has been requested by planners nationwide and even won the Arizona Planning Association's ‘Best Ordinance' award in 1996" says James Bourey, Executive Director for MAG. "We feel we're on the right track in making others aware that pedestrian needs are a top priority."

To implement the guidelines, MAG initiated a Design Assistance program in 1996 to encourage
construction of pedestrian facilities. To date, MAG has provided $180,000 of design assistance for five projects, two of which have received a half million dollars each in federal funds for construction. A description of the five projects is attached.

In addition to these five projects, MAG has also obtained funding for more than a half-dozen Enhancement Fund Projects specifically for pedestrian facilities. And in the spring, the agency will co-sponsor a "Walking into the 21st Century" conference focused on meeting pedestrian needs. The annual conference is co-sponsored by the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Regional Public Transportation Authority.

The Maricopa Association of Governments is a regional agency made up of all of the valley's communities working together to ensure a better quality of life for us all. The organization is a Council of Governments that serves the metropolitan Phoenix area and the many diverse cities and towns within Maricopa County. The agency develops regional policies and plans in areas such as transportation, air quality, water quality, solid waste and human services. MAG is charged with distributing millions of dollars in federal funding allocations for many important freeway, environmental and human services programs.

For more information about the Maricopa Association of Governments or its involvement with pedestrian issues, please contact Kelly Taft at 452-5020. Or, visit our Web site at www.mag.maricopa.gov.

CURRENT PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS INITIATED BY MAG

• Pedestrian Improvements to the Capitol Mall. Recognizing that the Capitol Mall is a premier tourist destination, MAG worked with mall neighbors and users to develop a plan to make the east entrance to the state capitol more pedestrian- friendly. Plans include improvements to crossings, better signs, shade, lighting, and other facilities to make walking more enjoyable.
  
  
• West Fifth Street in Tempe. Now nearing completion, this project includes such "traffic calming" features as medians, raised crosswalks, wider sidewalks, and narrower streets to help divert traffic flow. Studies have shown the improvements have already resulted in a decrease in traffic from 10,000 cars daily to 3,500.
  
  
• Camelback Primary Core Pedestrian Spine. This pedestrian project is designed to link the many destinations along Camelback from 16th street to the east side of 24th street. Work on this project is already underway.
  
  
• Glendale Bell Road Bridge at Skunk Creek. Also nearing completion, this project provides a critical interim crossing facility to people accessing the Arrowhead Towne Center. The current bridge near 71st Ave where Bell Rd. crosses Skunk Creek east of the Arrowhead Center has no pedestrian lanes or sidewalks, and people were picking their way down the slope to get to the mall. The plan gives pedestrians a safe alternative until the bridge can be rebuilt with adequate walkways.
  
  
• Tempe Mid-Block Crossing Demonstration Project. Along many valley canals, pedestrians and cyclists cross streets mid-block. Also, people using buses that stop mid-block rarely walk back to the corner to cross the street, but instead walk in front of the stopped bus. This demonstration project seeks to develop visual, aural, and sensory aids to alert drivers to mid-block crossings, as well as to identify improvements that can make mid-block crossing safer for pedestrians.