Mid-block Crossings
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Crossing the road can be a dangerous proposition for pedestrians. In urban areas with multiple lanes of traffic, distractions all around and travellers using various modes of transportation, the hazards are everywhere. City planners typically install crosswalks at intersections to help pedestrians cross. However, the majority of pedestrian fatalities happen when they try to cross the street mid-block — whether at an unmarked crosswalk or in an area where they’re not supposed to cross. Highly visible mid-block crosswalks can help reduce these types of pedestrian crashes and fatalities.
There were 6,227 pedestrian deaths in the U.S. in 2018, according to GHSA — a 28-year high. Almost 75% of those occurred when pedestrians tried to cross the road mid-block, instead of using intersections.
An Urban Safety Solution: High-Visibility Mid-block Crossings
Protect pedestrians. Reduce collisions. Save lives.
Key factors contributing to mid-block pedestrian fatalities:
- Drivers are less likely to look for pedestrians crossing in these areas.
- Vehicles are travelling faster than they are at intersections.
Well-marked, highly visible mid-block pedestrian crosswalks are a proven, cost-effective way to improve safety for pedestrians in urban areas. By determining where pedestrians are most likely to cross and installing crosswalks in these locations, we can help increase the visibility of pedestrians and driver awareness of people crossing the road.
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A Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Guide to Improving Crosswalk Visibility
Many factors, including low-light conditions, parked cars obstructing views, and curved roads can all make it difficult for drivers to see crosswalks in time to react. The FHWA recommends steps to enhance the visibility of crosswalks, including adding traffic lights to crosswalks, using high-visibility markings, and installing traffic signs to warn drivers of crosswalks.According to the FHWA, “Crosswalk visibility enhancements can reduce crashes by 23-48%.”
Designing and Building Effective Mid-block
Recommendations for infrastructure and road designers to help pedestrians safely cross the road.
City planners are realising that pedestrian crosswalks are needed where people cross the street, including mid-block. Infrastructure and traffic safety devices are a low-cost and effective way to help improve pedestrian crosswalk visibility and calm traffic in these locations.
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High-Visibility Traffic SignsTraffic signs help indicate to pedestrians where they can cross while warning drivers of an approaching crosswalk, or curb bump-out, in time to reduce their speed and stop. For traffic signs to be most effective, they need to be highly visible and conspicuous in a range of conditions, including at dawn, dusk, night, or inclement weather.
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Retroreflective Pavement MarkingsHighly visible retroreflective pavement markings provide on-road indications of crosswalks for both pedestrians and motorists. Advanced wet retroreflective pavement markings use next-generation optics to improve visibility in all conditions — night or day, rain or shine.
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Channelizers and DelineatorsHighly visible retroreflective pavement markings provide on-road indications of crosswalks for both pedestrians and motorists. Advanced wet retroreflective pavement markings use next-generation optics to improve visibility in all conditions — night or day, rain or shine. Markings with skid particles help improve traction for pedestrians and vehicles, particularly in wet conditions.
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Road DietsRoad diets are an FHWA-recommended countermeasure to reduce the number of lanes in your street — typically from four lanes to two lanes with a shared turn lane in the middle. This reduces the number of lanes pedestrians must cross while creating more space for other traffic safety enhancements like curb extensions and median refuges.
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Traffic Safety Products for Mid-block Crossings
3M traffic safety devices are engineered to be more visible, more conspicuous, more durable and more versatile, helping you build safe and effective complete streets where pedestrians avoid jaywalking.
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Pavement MarkingsHigh-visibility retroreflective pavement markings help drivers see and stay in their lanes, improving road safety for all.
3M™ Stamark™ High Performance Pavement Marking Tape Series 380AW
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Symbols and LegendsSymbols and legends pavement marking tape helps delineate crosswalks for pedestrians and give motorists advance warning to watch for people crossing the street.
3M™ Stamark™ Pavement Marking Symbols and Legends Tape Series L270
3M™ Stamark™ Pavement Marking Symbols and Legends Tape Series L380
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Reflective SheetingRetroreflective sheeting on traffic signs — including state-of-the-art ASTM Type XI sheeting — reflects light from a vehicle’s headlights back to the driver. Fluorescent colours provide added visibility during dawn and dusk hours, increasing the number of time drivers have to react to crosswalks.
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