Zuni Road – a Priority for a Pedestrian Safety Study



By Joanne McEntire, Trail Project Planner, J. McEntire llc  

ACHIEVE’s International Community Trail project identifies a route for walking in five neighborhoods, and it includes an important arterial street, Zuni Road, between San Mateo and Utah.  http://www.starkravenstudios.com/Achieve/

Zuni carries thousands of vehicles a day and it is very important to residents who live, walk and ride bicycles in Trumbull and South San Pedro neighborhoods.  They have to cross Zuni to reach

Central Avenue

and local destinations.  Many participants at the Trail workshop wanted Zuni to be part of the Trail so that it might be improved. 

Zuni is challenging and dangerous to pedestrians.  During our walk audits on Zuni, we learned that the sidewalks are four to six feet wide, directly next to the curb and vehicle lanes.  A few obstacles, including a bus bench and light poles, are in the walking path.    Cracked sidewalks are common.  Although there are curb ramps on the corners, it seems  that none are compliant with the American Disabilities Act, which makes is harder for many people move smoothly and comfortably. 

Pedestrians who cross Zuni don’t just use the intersections with traffic lights; they need to cross at non-regulated intersections too.  But the traffic lights are separated by a quarter to a half-mile of straight roadway, and the danger of pedestrian involved crashes grows as vehicle speeds increase.  The lack of streetlights on some segments increases the danger, including the two blocks on Zuni between Alcazar and Mesilla. 

Recently, Council Rey Garduño initiated a Pedestrian Safety Study, and the City’s Department of Municipal Development is working with Vector Engineering to carry out the study.  According to Karen Aspelin of Vector, “During the first phase of the study we will be collecting data to determine the existing problems that need to be addressed, as well as soliciting ideas from the community on possible improvements. This will be accomplished by collecting available data relevant to the corridor, conducting a walking survey of the corridor, and holding the first of several public information meetings.”  The first public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, February 9, at 6 pm at Highland High School.

The city indicates that the study could encompass improving sidewalks, signals, signage, striping, street lights, speed humps and speed limits.  We are pleased that Zuni may become safer for all, and encourage local residents to participate in the process! 

  

EPA School Siting Guidelines --Submit Your Comments on the Draft Proposal by Feb 18th 2011

 School buildings are fundamental components of the educational process and children spend more time in schools than in any other environment except their home.  More than 53 million children and 6 million staff occupy more than 135,000 public and private schools in the U.S.  A well located, thoughtfully designed, soundly built and efficiently operated school enhances the educational process by providing a safe and healthy environment for children, teachers and other staff.  State-of-the-art schools also provide many opportunities to enhance the educational process itself and to meet multiple community goals.  The decision to site and build a new school is a complex one.  These voluntary guidelines are intended to assist communities and community members in making the best possible school siting decisions.

Comments must be submitted by 4 pm EST on February 18, 2011.

The draft school siting guidelines are being made available to the public for a 90 day comment period.  The guidelines have not been finalized and should not be cited, quoted or otherwise referenced as representing final EPA guidance.
To submit comments on the draft guidelines, please go to the on-line comment form at:
https://public.commentworks.com/epa/schoolsiting