Transportation System Plan 2018-2038

make the transit experience com fortable. Am enities include shelters, benches, posted schedules and trash receptacles. Safety and Operational Improvements As shown in Table 10-8, the vast m ajority of ped estrian-related accidents occur at intersecting streets, prim arily in crosswalks. The City ’s current crossw alk policy directs the Public Works Departm ent to apply objective engineering standards when determ ining where crosswalks need to be painted and maintained. These standards are based on pedestrian volum es, existence of positive pedestrian control (traffic signals, stop signs or school crossing guards), and the ability to channel pedestrian traffic am ong other factors. The policy is to paint and maintain crosswalks y ielding the greatest safety , while not repainting others where positive crossing protection is not provided. The intent of this policy is to increase the effectiveness of crosswalks, while not misleading the public into thinking that an uncontrolled crossing is safe because a crosswalk is provided. State law establishes that pedestrian crossings exist at all intersections whether m arked or not. The City of Medford is also developing other standa rds pertaining to pedestrian safety at intersections such as unique crosswalk paving colors and m aterials, curb extensions or “bulb-outs”, pedestrian refuge islands, and grade-separated crossings. The app licability of these policies should be evaluated as intersections are constructed or reconstructed. When considering ri ght-turn channelization, the potential benefits and im pacts to pedestrian safety should be analy zed. On the technology side, signal tim ing should used to prom ote safe crossings. Signals m ust be tim ed so that pedestrians (including slower walkers) m ay safely pass through an intersection before losing the green indication. Pedestrian detection devices should be installed at all crossing locations including activation buttons that m eet ADA standards and are can be clearly understood by the user. The City of Medford should also increase education to im prove pedestrian safety . This can be in the form of signage along roadway s advising travelers of the “rules of the road” pertaining to m otorists and walkers, or through various m edia outlets. General Improvements to Enhance the Pedestrian Environment The city should consider a variety of general im provem ent strategies to enhance the overall pedestrian environm ent. These could include, but not be lim ited to: • Adaptable sidewalk improvements that fit the environment – As appropriate, fit the pedestrian improvem ent into the surrounding environm ent c onsidering available right-of-way , adjacent land use, and traffic volum es and speeds on adjacent street. Several roadway s within Medford contain pedestrian facilities that do not meet current City standards. For instance, a num ber of streets in the older eastside neighborhoods contain substandard sidewalks or no pedestrian facilities at all. As acceptable to the affected neighborhoods, these facilities should be constructed or reconstructed to im prove safety and the overall walking experience. The City should work to m inimize the potential adverse impacts on neighboring property owners when constructing or reconstructing sidewalk s and other pedestrian facilities on existing roadway s. Medford Transportatio n System Plan 10-29 Non-M otorized Transportation Plan