Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

TO:	Charles Soules, Director of Public Works
FROM:	David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer
CC:	Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer
Date:	9 July 2008
RE:	Request for ADULT CROSSING GUARD at the intersection of Bob Billings Parkway & George Williams Way TSC 6-2-08; Item 5

Background:  On June 2, 2008, the Traffic Safety Commission heard a request to establish an ADULT CROSSING GUARD at the intersection of Bob Billings Parkway & George Williams Way.

Data collected April 30, May1, May 5, May 8 and May 13 found that this location does meet the City’s minimum requirements for consideration of an ADULT CROSSING GUARD.  The number of students in the afternoon averaged 10.67, the speed limit on the street is over 35mph, the street is marked for more than 3 lanes of traffic and the sight distance is not adequate.

Paula Pepin, 1109 Stoneridge Drive, spoke in favor of an adult guard; she stated that parents don’t feel comfortable allowing their children to cross, even though we know there are upwards of 30 children whose parents have committed to let their children walk or bike if there was a crossing guard.  In addition, the wellness committee of the school site council has a goal of reducing the traffic volume around the school at drop-off and pick-up times and to increase the number of students walking and biking; a crossing guard at this location would help meet those goals.  No one from the public spoke in opposition to the request.

Similar request have been made at this intersection in the past, but the city’s criteria had not been met.

The TSC voted unanimously 8-0 to recommend approval of the request.

The estimated cost to provide an adult crossing guard is approximately $5,500.00 per school-year.