clearview local schools · donna spanski, administrative assistant ... clearview local schools...

CLEARVIEW LOCAL SCHOOLS 4700 BROADWAY

LORAIN, OHIO 44052

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS

TRAVEL PLAN

NOVEMBER 2011

Clearview School District Safe Routes to Schools -School Travel Plan

SECTION 1: School Travel Plan Team Members:

The newly developed Superintendent’s Community Engagement Team/ Clearview Safe Routes Travel Committee (CET) was initiated in an effort to open the lines of communication between the greater school community and the district, enhance academic achievement through parent/community participation, and to enhance the safety programs within the greater school community. All participants share the same concern with student achievement, student/community safety, and to noticeably increase the communication amongst all stake-holders. The community engagement team (CET) will specifically develop, monitor, and assess the following:

• Work closely with the Family and Children First Council established under the section 121.37 of the Ohio Revised Code to recommend to the board qualifications and responsibilities of the engagement team.

• Develop a 5 year family and greater school community engagement/safety strategic plan. • Advise and provide recommendations to the board in the areas of: student achievement, security/safety

requirements, and communication details.

Name Affiliation __________Program Area Dr. Thomas G. Jama Clearview Schools Superintendent Enforcement/Education Ken Klein Clearview’s Maintenance Supervisor Enforcement Mike Tomlin-Brenner Curriculum Director Encouragement/Education Ted Kalo, Business Owner/County Commissioner Evaluation Chad Parsons Sheffield Township Trustee/Parent Evaluation Debbie Knick Band Booster President Evaluation Franco Gallo Principal-Clearview High School Enforcement/Education Jerome Davis Principal-Durling Middle School Enforcement Jen Fitch Principal-Vincent Elementary School Enforcement Brenda Newman Clearview Board Member Evaluation Harry Guerrieri Clearview Board Member Evaluation Melissa Stefano Director-Lorain County Children & Family First Encouragement Ed Corcino Parent Evaluation Bobbi Emery Teacher-Vincent Elementary School Evaluation/Education Sina Dotson Teacher- Vincent Elementary School Evaluation/Education Marilyn Hill Lorain County Board of Health Encouragement Lorain County Engineer's Office -

John Hamilton, Chief Deputy Bill Holtzman, Chief Deputy Donna Spanski, Administrative Assistant Ron Montagnese, Autocad Tech

The primary contact for the CST is: Ken Klein, Maintenance Supervisor Bill Holtzman, Chief Deputy Clearview Local Schools Lorain County Engeneers Office 4700 Broadway 247 Hadaway Street Lorain, Ohio 44052 Elyria, Ohio 44035 Phone: 440-233-6058 440-329-5586 [email protected] [email protected]

SECTION 2: Introduction The Clearview School District Safe Travel Plan (CST) is a community-based initiative that will ultimately increase and insure the safety of students traveling to and from the high school, middle school and elementary school. The CST/Engagement Team is committed to the development of a Clearview Safe Travel Improvement Plan. The committee is also committed to ensuring all students, including those with disabilities, can utilize walking and bicycling as a safe and enjoyable transportation alternative to and from school. The committee was formed to increase the level of communication and to gather in-put on a variety of issues including student safety. This plan was developed by seeking input from all stake-holders and gathering information that identified obstacles along primary routes to school and proposed recommendations to improve student safety. Additionally, the committee sent surveys to parents that focused on safety, student achievement, and communication between the schools and the greater school community. The community is indeed concerned with student health and safety. This is very evident by the many volunteer project and tremendous booster club support and parent participation. The Clearview School District is extremely fortunate to have a community that is very proud, supportive and involved with student activities prior to during and after regular school hours. This SRTS project will be very beneficial for the Clearview students as they are travelling to and from the schools for all activities many of which are extracurricular activities with walking and bicycle riding a necessity.

The Clearview School District as well as the community in general is very aware that youth obesity is a serious problem and that a balanced diet along with proper exercise is imperative to the health safety and well being of our youth. With that said, the Clearview Schools Food Service Department is very cognizant of the student health issues and works diligently to provide the best menu options possible for our students. Additionally, our special needs children are even more susceptible to health and safety issues and proper diet and controlled exercise is imperative to their educational and social growth. SECTION 3: The Public Input Process

The school community was heavily involved in this process. We have had public meetings with both the School Board (12/08/08) and the Township Trustees (12/15/08). There were also (CST) meetings held in April, May and June of 2010. Parent surveys were distributed which includes data pertaining to the following: distance from schools, travel mode (walk, bike, school bus, family vehicle, carpool, transit, other) along with comments (Surveys-Attachment: A). Additional surveys were also issued to parents, staff and students that relate to communication, safety, student achievement and related curriculum (Surveys-Attachment B). Additional surveys will be issued to community members, students and staff during the 2010-2011 school year (Surveys-Attachment: C).

Additional existing data collected includes:

• Student Wellness Information (Wellness Data-Attachment: D) • Existing Education, Enforcement, and/or encouragement programs

(Policies-Attachment: E).

SECTION 4: School Descriptions This plan will address the needs of the Clearview School District. Vincent School is the elementary school and is located east of State Route 57 on the north side of State Route 254. It has a residential area around it and on the north side of State Route 254 west of State Route 57. It serves grades K -4 and has an enrollment of 585. The only sidewalk is along State Route 254 and N. Ridge Road and it is very difficult to encourage walking or bicycling with no sidewalks. We are proposing sidewalk construction, safe bicycling and walking education through the County Engineer's Safety Star workshops, health assistance through the Lorain County Health Department and enforcement through the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.

Durling School is located next to Clearview High School at the northwest corner of North Ridge Road and Broadway Avenue. The only sidewalks in the area are on Broadway. The area is mostly residential with the heaviest residential area being east of Broadway and north of North Ridge Road. Durling serves grades 5 -8 and has an enrollment of 521. There is a traffic problem at the school because the car traffic and bus traffic use the same entrances and exits. This needs to be improved by installing a new driveway west of the bus garage to outlet onto North Ridge Road. Car traffic could then use the new driveway and drop off at the back of Durling. The buses could use the existing drive and drop off at the front of Durling. We are proposing sidewalk construction, safe bicycling and walking education through the County Engineer's Safety Star workshops, health assistance through the Lorain County Health Department and enforcement through the Lorain County Sheriff’s office. Clearview High School is located on the corner of North Ridge Road and Broadway. This area is heavily traveled by motorists. A new parking lot procedure was implemented during the 2009-2010 school year. This new plan alleviated congestion on North Ridge Road and within the parking lot itself. The new plan also assisted in students being picked up and/or dropped off to school. This plan also allowed for a lane for bus transportation only. An aggressive Physical Education Curriculum, extensive extracurricular programs as well a Zoned recess plan is presently in place. The District is currently in the process of completing a natural walking/running path and will complete the renovation of our rubber surface track prior to school starting in August of 2010. There is also a District wide wellness program in place that is reviewed on an as needed basis.

There have been several attempts over the years to install sidewalks to serve the Clearview area, through CDBG funds or assessments, so the need has been recognized for many years. Students walk in the streets, which is very dangerous. Construction of sidewalks through this program would be a great improvement

Clearview High School Durling Middle Vincent Elementary 4700 Broadway 100 North Ridge Road 2303 North Ridge Road Lorain, Ohio 44052 Lorain, Ohio 44053 Lorain, Ohio 44055

Start Time/End Time

Clearview High School Durling Middle School Vincent Elementary School

7:30 a.m. / 2:40 p.m. 8:10 a.m. / 2:50 p.m. 8:35 a.m. / 3:25 p.m.

Additionally, the Clearview Local School District is determined to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. Part of that goal is to encourage and provide the means for more walking and bicycle riding to and from school and extracurricular events as well. It is our hope that the SRTS program will assist us in providing the means. As the walking and bicycle rider traffic increases it is critical to both reduce and better control the bus, car and truck traffic and congestion in the parking lots. Proper traffic flow in parking lots and access drives is very important and in some ways more critical than on the highway due to the sheer number of vehicles in a confined space. Further complicating this problem; the Clearview High School and Durling Middle School currently share the common entrance and exit roadways. Certainly, congested and frustrating parking lots add to the danger level for the walkers and bicycle riders and our unique share access / egress magnifies the safety concerns. Add to that inclement weather that is prevalent through much of the school year and we have a situation that leaves us open to major safety concerns. With the addition of the proposed car access roadway to the Durling Middle School, the congestion and safety issues will improve drastically as the Middle school students that will be transported by car will enter and exit separate from the other traffic.

SECTION 5: Demographics

Census data (2000) for Sheffield Township (roughly the same area served by CLSD) is provided below.

Racial Population: Black: 15% Hispanic: 20% Multi-Racial 10% White: 55% Economically Disadvantaged: 55%

Durling Middle School (5-8) Enrollment: 521 - Economically disadvantaged students: 40% (state average 45.1%)

- Students with disabilities: 11.8% (state average 14.8%) Vincent Elementary School (K-4) Enrollment: 585

- Economically disadvantaged students: 17.5% (state average 45.1%) - Students with disabilities: 12.7% (state average 14.8%)

(2010-2011 school year data provided by ODE)

SECTION 6: Current School Travel Environment Vincent Elementary School

Durling Middle School Current Travel Environment 2009

The current modes of travel are by bus, car, bicycling, or walking. Many students live within a one mile radius and several live outside of the one mile radius. District Map (Attachment: F); (School Locations-Attachment: G) (Traffic Crash Analysis - see page 7 of Attachment H) Some students arrive by bus. Those who ride the bus are brought to the front of Durling Middle School. They remain seated on the bus until 7:45 a.m. Those students who walk to school or bicycle also come to the front of the building. All students wait outside of the building until 7:50 a.m. at which time the bell rings thus allowing students to enter the building. Those students who are car riders are dropped off in the back of the building. They, too, cannot enter the building until 7:50 a.m. They enter through the back doors. Some students who travel by car to school are dropped off in the high school parking lot. They then walk down the sidewalk to the front of the building. There are two teachers on duty outside upon student arrival to school. They monitor the drop off areas in front of the building. There is one teacher on duty inside the doors that students enter upon arrival. This teacher monitors activities taking place immediately outside the doors of the building and she monitors those who come in the building before 8 a.m. for any type of before school activities. Dismissal procedures are similar to the arrival procedures. All students are dismissed from Durling Middle School at 2:50 p.m. Bus riders and walkers exit through the front doors. Buses leave the front circle at 2:57 P.M., Hence, anyone who plans to ride the bus must be out of the building and on the bus before 2:57 pm. Car riders are picked up in the back of the building after school. Some car riders walk to the high school parking to catch their rides. There is a teacher who is assigned to the outside duty of keeping cars from entering the bus lines after the school. In addition to teachers being on duty before and after school, the principal and assistant principal are outside monitoring students and vehicle safety procedures. There is a safety crossing guard that works before and after school to help students get safely across Broadway Avenue. Consequently, Broadway is a very busy four lane street that is heavily traveled and leads to a major highway.

Vincent Elementary School Current Travel Environment 2009

The current modes of travel are by bus, car, bicycling or walking. Many students live within a one mile radius and several live outside of the one mile radius. The district does not provide transportation to students who live within a two mile radius.

Students who arrive/dismiss by bus do so at the south side of the building. Students may leave the bus and enter the school at 8:25 a.m. After all students exit the bus, it then will return back to the bus garage. Students' board the bus for dismissal after the 3:25 p.m. bell has rang. At that time students will line up for bus dismissal once their bus has been announced over the intercom. On a typical day all busses are boarded and have left school grounds as of 3:45 p.m.

Students who arrive/dismiss by car may do so by the east or west side of the school. We label the pick up and drop off areas as the "blue" and "yellow" car rider sides. For an elementary building these terms are more practical. Staff members are located at these two areas during arrival and dismissal to assist students as they board the car. It is often a very hectic time, especially when weather is at its worst. The current car rider lines are extremely long and parents choose to begin parking as early as 2:00 p.m. in the designated areas. They do this to avoid the long car lines. Often parents will sign their child out early just to avoid the car rider lines. While waiting for their car at dismissal, students will stand in line either outside or inside the building depending on the weather. There are roughly 15-20 students who currently use walking and biking as their mode for traveling to school. We currently employ a morning and afternoon crossing guard to assist these students. It is unfortunate that there are no current sidewalks in place for the majority of our walking students. Many of these students travel down Fleming Avenue which currently has no sidewalk. Fleming Avenue is also the road that receives a high volume of traffic because of the yellow car rider line. There are some students that must cross North Ridge Road (St. 254). State Route 254 is the major East West corridor for the community and provides access to many local businesses and a large shopping mall. In fact, State Route 254 is planned to have additional lanes added to help alleviate congestion. The start date for this project has not been determined. This is also a very busy road and also contains no sidewalks at this time. K-12 Total Enrollment = 1600 Estimated Number living within 1 mile = 300 Estimated Number living within 2 miles = 544

SECTION 7: Barriers to Active Transportation Primary barriers to active transportation include the physical location of the schools, particularly Vincent Elementary School, located toward the edge of the school district and not necessarily centrally located amongst neighborhoods where students live. Infrastructure barriers include: - busy and potentially unsafe roadways and highways that students have to cross to get to school –

Specifically students crossing SR-57 and Broadway; - local roads without sidewalks or other off-road infrastructure, requiring students to walk or bike in the

street; and - needed connections between local roadways, and subdivisions to further dramatically reduce travel

distances and improve safety for those who chose to walk or bike to school. Non-infrastructure barriers include: - Education: a lacking of education programs or curriculum that would be helpful to improve safety of

students walking or biking on area roadways without sidewalks, and in crossing busy streets. - Encouragement: a lacking of programs and activities to encourage more students walking or biking to

school. - Enforcement: the need for more crossing guards to help students cross Broadway Avenue near Durling

School. - Evaluation: the lacking of a plan to integrate the National Centers for Safe Routes to School surveys

into the list of responsibilities for principals and others to accomplish every year.

SECTION 8: Creating Solutions Toward achieving the Purpose of improving the safety and ability of students walking and biking to school, the SRTS team has helped produce the following solutions of which incorporate education, encouragement, enforcement, and engineering. Education Programs (EDU)

EDU-1: Pedestrian and bicycling safety curriculum should be integrated into physical education curriculum to help train students in how to saf ely navigate streets, intersections, and other hazards. An area of focus should include training to help students m ore safely walk on roads without sidewalks, especially given the fact that the local streets of the neighborhoods surrounding both Durling M.S. and Vincent E.S. are currently lacking sidewalks. Pedestrian and bike safety education curriculum would be invaluable for all students, re gardless of whether stude nts wa lk or bi ke t o school. Once learned, these skills will help Clearvie w’s students make better decisions, potentially avoiding injury or death as a pede strian and bicyclist. These skills should stay with them well into adulthood.

Encouragement Programs (ENC)

ENC-1: Bike educa tion certifica tion program – Provide a bike edu cation and certification program to help explain how stude nts should ride their bikes and under what conditions they would be allowed to ride their bikes to the school. Cond itions or limitations may include requirements that students ride their bikes in ways that are p redictable, on th e correct side of the street, and obeying traffic signs. Students who fail to uphold the conditi ons of the certification may lose their ability to ride (park) a bike to school.

ENC-2: Walking Buddies program – Work with area parents to encourage groups of students to walk together, allowing older students to walk with and guide younger students who all live in the same area. Walking Buddies would be trained or would have already received training/education from the local school in how to safely walk or bike to school.

Enforcement Programs (ENF)

ENF-1: Crossing guard program – Provide additional funding for training and su pport additional crossing guards to be stationed at intersections or mid-block crossings to help students cross busy roadways.

Evaluation Programs (EVA) EVA-1: Co ntinue conducting th e National Centers for Safe Routes to School parent and

student surveys on an annual basis tracking each school’s progress toward improving the number of students who are walking or biking to school.

EVA-2: Continue evaluating the Action Pla n, making revisions when neces sary and pursu ing a range of activities to address the barriers of students walking or biking to school.

Engineering Improvements The following projects were identif ied by the team as engineering pr ojects that could address physical barriers for students walking or biking to school.

Vincent Elementary School

Short-Term (0-12 Months)

• None

Medium-Term (1-5 Years)

• MT-1: Construct sidewalk on Vincent and Flem ing avenues, and Wilson Street near Vincent Elementary School – Construct a com bined 4,880 LF of side walk and necessary curb ra mps on Vincent and Fleming avenues between SR-254 and Frankfort Street, and Wilson Street between SR-57 and Farr Avenue. Cost estimate: $198,000.

• MT-2: Construct sidewalk on Mayfield Stre et between Ridgewood Street and Farr Avenue – Construct a 1,280 LF of si dewalk and necessary curb ramps on Mayfield Street between SR-57 and Farr Avenue. Cost estimate: $56,000.

• MT-3: Construct sidewalk on SR-254 between SR-57 and West River Road – Construct 980 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on SR-254 between SR-57 and West River Road. This should be phased with or com pleted as a part of the wide ning of SR-254 within the same li mits and should not be applied for under the SRTS program.

Long-Term (5+ Years)

• LT-1: Construct a grade separated pedestri an crossing acr oss SR-57 at Wilson Street to provide a safer and m ore comfortable crossing for students to cross SR-57, a 50 m ph limited access highway. In conjunction with this project, a 9 00 LF sidewalk should be extended fro m the west end of the crossing across a short woode d area to connect to the nearby neighborhood. T his project would more than double t he number of homes from which students could walk or bike to Vincent Elementary School. A pedestrian bridge should be more greatly utilized than the alternative, 130 LF tunnel. Cost estimate: $1,150,000. A small amount of right of way will be required, the cost of which is not included in this estimate.

• LT-2: Build sidewalk along Oakwoo d Boulevard improving c onnectivity between the Wilson Street grade separated sidewalk and local streets in the neighborhood that would be connected to the crossing. About 1,725 LF of side walk and necessar y curb ramps would be re quired for t his project. Cost estimate: $73,500.

• LT-3: Build sidewalk along McKinley and Clinton avenues to improve connectivity to Clinton Avenue and provide students who live along the road with a safer facility to walk or bike on. Roughly 4,135 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb r amps would be required f or this pr oject. Cost estimate: $160,000.

Durling Middle School


• ST-1: Construct a multi-use path between the Middle School and the Twi n Wells mobile home park – Construct a 890 L F multi-use path between the m obile home park and the middle school , providing reasonable acce ss to students who live in the park. Wha t would have been up to a 7,000 foot long path will be shortened to a path of approximately 1,250 feet. Cost estimate: $60,000


• MT-1: Construct a sidewalk connection be tween Toledo and Clifton avenues at E 48 th Street – Construct a 310 LF sidewalk between Toledo and Clifton avenues at E 48 th Street to permit students walk or bike between these two streets without trespassing on private property. The walk sh ould be located using the right of way secured by the school district and t ownship from local land owners. This project should i nclude fencing or landscaping t o encourage students to stay on the pat h. Cost estimate: $15,000

• MT-2: Road Diet S Broadway Avenue, improving safety and adding on-r oad bike facilities – Remove current lane control striping and replace wit h a two-way left turn lane, two travel lanes (one northbound, one southbound), and two bike lanes. These i mprovements will improve the safety of pedestrian cr ossings, help cal m traffi c im proving safety and co mfort on exi sting sidewalks, and provide a bike facility for middle school students to ride to school. Though a study is requir ed to confirm, the improvement would most likely have a minimal effect on roadway traffic capacity and improve Nort h Ridge Roa d signalized intersection’s LOS (Level of Service). This project would include the elim ination of the acc ess drive on the northeast corner of the intersection, a nd the construction of a slip lane island on the northwest corner of the intersection. Cost estimate $100,000.

• MT-3: Move existing mid-block crosswalk to a s afer, more c onvenient location – T he existing mid-block crosswalk between 47 th and 48th streets should be relocated to improve the safety an d comfort of the crossing. The crosswalk should be located 175 feet to the north, include a pedestrian refuge island (in com bination with the reco mmended road diet), and be equ ipped with a Rapid Flashing LED Beacon. These improvements will permit students to cross one direction of traffic at a time, avoid t he possibility of a m ultiple threat crash , and pr ovide a crossing more in line with the direction students would be traveling if walking to the northeast. S tudents traveling to the southwest would m ost l ikely cross at the intersec tion of S Broadway Avenue and North Ridge Road. Cost estimate: $37,000 (pedestrian refuge island and Rapid Flashing LED Beacon).

• MT-4: Construct a n ew sidewalk connection from Clifton Ave nue to apart ment complexes to the east – Construct roughl y 9 00 li near feet of sidewalk between Clifton Avenue and various apartment complexes located off of O’Neil Boulevard. The project will require cooperation fr om the apartment complexes and right-of-way from a prope rty owner along Clifton Avenue. Cost estim ate: $50,000 plus right-of-way costs. (This project was omitted from the engineering study.)

Long-Term (5+ Years)

• LT-1: Construct sidewal k on Toledo and Clifton avenues east of Durling Middle Sc hool – Construct a combined 7,500 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ram ps on Toledo and Clifton avenues between Elyria Avenue and their southern termini. Cost estimate: $280,000.

• LT-2: Construct sidewalk on E 44 th, E 4 3rd, E 42 nd, E 41 st, and E 39 th streets, and Jeffer son Street north and east of Durling Middle School – Construct a combined 5,180 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ra mps on E 44th, E 43 rd, E 42 nd, and E 41st streets b etween S Broadway and Toledo avenues, E 39 th Street between S B roadway and Denver avenues, and Jeffe rson Street we st of S Broadway Avenue. Cost estimate: $193,000.

• LT-3: Construct sidewalk on E 45 th, E 46 th, E 47 th, and E 48 th streets east of Durling Middle School – Construct a com bined 4,750 LF of side walk and necessary curb ra mps on E 45 th Street between S Broadway and Clifton Avenue, and E 46th, E 47th, and E 48th streets between S Broadway and Toledo avenues. Cost estimate: $178,000.

• LT-4: Construct sidewal k on Elyria and Cli fton avenues, Dewitt and Harriet str eets, and upgrade the signalized intersection of Elyria and Toledo avenue s – Construct 5,500 LF sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on these roadways, providing pedestrian connections for students who live on these roads and those who live north of E 39 th Street. Pedestr ian signal heads and push buttons should be added to the existing signali zed intersection at Elyria and Toledo avenues. Cost esti mate: $218,000 (pl us signal heads and buttons on ver y simple traffic signal of which may not be warranted?)

• LT-5: Connect and construct sidewalk on neighb orhood roads south of the school – Construct 8,640 LF sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on Clearview, Ashbolt, North, Cherrywood, Basswood, and Cottonw ood drives, and Cooper F oster Park Road . This pro ject would include using paths to connect Clearview and Ashbolt drives, and two disc onnected sections of North Drive, one west of Cottonwood Drive, the other a block east on Cherry wood Drive. Cost esti mate (excluding Right of Way costs): $325,000.

SECTION 9: Improvement Mapping The following pages include the improvement mapping.

SECTION 10: Action Plan The following pages include the action plan.

Education Solutions

Rec.

Number

Recommendation

Description

Short Term

(0-1 years)

Medium Term

(1-5 years)

Long Term

(5+ years) Responsibility Estimated Cost Possible Funding Sources

Percent of

Students AffectedStatus

Recommended for

First Funding Application

EDU-1Implement Pedestrian and Bicycling

Safety CurriculumSchool Staff Time n/a 100.00% yes

Encouragement Solutions

Rec.

Number

Recommendation

Description

Short Term

(0-1 years)

Medium Term

(1-5 years)

Long Term


Percent of


Recommended for


ENC-1 Bike Certification program School$6,000/event

+ Staff TimeSRTS 100.00% yes

ENC-2 Walking Buddies program School Staff Time SRTS Varries yes

Enforcement Solutions

Rec.

Number

Recommendation

Description

Short Term

(0-1 years)

Medium Term

(1-5 years)

Long Term


Percent of


Recommended for


ENF-1 Crossing guard programSchool, County,

Township$20,000/year SRTS Varries yes

Evaluation Solutions

Rec.

Number

Recommendation

Description

Short Term

(0-1 years)

Medium Term

(1-5 years)

Long Term


Percent of


Recommended for


EVA-1Continue conducting the national SRTS

survey on an annual basisSchool Staff Time n/a 100.00% required

EVA-2Continue evaluating the Action Plan,

revise as necessary

School, County,

TownshipStaff Time n/a 100.00% required

Engineering Solutions

Rec.

Number

Recommendation

Description

Short Term

(0-1 years)

Medium Term

(1-5 years)

Long Term


Percent of


Recommended for


Durling

ST-1

Construct a multi-use path between the middle

school and the Twin Wells MHPShort Term school $60,000 SRTS 1.70% yes

Durling

MT-1

Construct a sidewalk connection between

Toledo and Clifton aves at E 48th StreetMedium Term

Township,

County$15,000 SRTS

3.22% now,

6.44% with MT-4yes

(implement in short term and continue)






Rec.

Number

Recommendation

Description

Short Term

(0-1 years)

Medium Term

(1-5 years)

Long Term


Percent of


Recommended for


Durling

MT-2

Road Diet S Broadway Avenue, improving safety

and adding on-road bike facilitiesMedium Term

Township,

County$100,000

SRTS, County paving

program (upon end of

pavement's useful life)

25.99% yes

Durling

MT-3

Move the S Broadway mid-block crossing to a

safer, more convenient location. (Includes

refuge island and LED Rapid Flashers)

Medium Term Township,

County$37,000 SRTS 16.89% yes

Durling

MT-4

Construct a new sidewalk connection from

Clifton Ave to apartment complexes to the eastMedium Term

Township,


Vincent

MT-1

Construct sidewalk on Vincent and Fleming

avenues, and Wison StreetMedium Term

Township,


Vincent

MT-2

Construct sidewalk on Mayfield Street between

Ridgewood St and Farr AveMedium Term

Township,

County$56,000 SRTS 2.47%

Vincent

MT-3

Construct sidewalk along SR-254 between SR-57

and West River RoadMedium Term

ODOT - part of

minor widingn/a n/a -- n/a

Durling

LT-1

Construct sidewalk on Toledo and Clifton

AvenuesLong Term

Township,

County$280,000 SRTS

12.5% now,

15.7% with MT-4

Durling

LT-2

Construct sidewalk on E 44th, E 43rd, E42nd, E

41st, E 39th and Jefferson stsLong Term

Township,


Durling

LT-3

Construct sidewalk on E 45th, E 46th, E 47th,

and E 48th streetsLong Term

Township,

County$178,000 SRTS 11.19%

Durling

LT-4

Construct sidewalk on Elyria and Clifton

avenues, and upgrade signal at Elyria and Toledo

avenues

Long Term Township,

County$218,000 SRTS 11.00%

Durling

LT-5

Connect to and construct sidewalk with

neighborhoods south of DurlingLong Term

Township,


Durling

LT-6Construct sidewalk along North Ridge Road E Long Term

Township,


Vincent

LT-1

Construct a grade-separated crossing across SR-

57 at Wilson StreetLong Term

Township,

County$1,150,000 SRTS 5.44%

Check with ODOT

District SRTS coordinator

Vincent

LT-2

Build sidewalk along Oakwood

BoulevardLong Term

Township,


Vincent

LT-3

Build sidewalk along McKinley

and Clinton avenuesLong Term

Township,


Engineering Solutions (continued)

SECTION 11: Plan Endorsements

SECTION 12: Supporting Documentation

Section 1-6 Attachments Attachment A: NCSRTS Parent Survey and Student Tally Reports Attachment B: Current Surveys Attachment C: Future Surveys Attachment D: Wellness Data Attachment E: Existing Policies-Enforcement Attachment F: District Map Attachment G: School Locations on Map

Section 7-11 Attachments

Attachment H: ODOT-sponsored Clearview Local School District Engineering Study

Clearview SRTS School Travel Plan — Nov 2011

Attachment A: NCSRTS Parent Survey and Student Tally Reports

Parent Survey SummaryProgram Name: Clearview STP Month and Year Collected: Fall 2008

School Name: Vincent Elementary Set ID: 1093

School Enrollment: 300 Date Report Generated: 11/29/2011

Enrollment within Grades Targeted by SRTS Program: 300 Number of QuestionnairesAnalyzed for Report:

175

Number of Questionnaires Distributed: 300

This report contains information from parents about their children's trip to and from school. The report also reflectsparents' perceptions regarding whether walking and bicycling to school is appropriate for their child. The data used in thisreport were collected using the Survey about Walking and Biking to School for Parents form from the National Center forSafe Routes to School.

Sex of children for parents that provided information

Page 1 of 14

Grade levels of children represented in survey


Grade in SchoolResponses per

grade

Number Percent

Kindergarten 34 20%

1 37 21%

2 25 14%

3 30 17%

4 46 26%

5 1 1%

9 1 1%

No response: 1Percentages may not total 100% due torounding.

Page 2 of 14

Parent estimate of distance from child's home to school


Distance betweenhome and school Number of children Percent

Less than 1/4 mile 25 16%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 11 7%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 8 5%

1 mile up to 2 miles 31 20%

More than 2 miles 83 53%

Don't know or No response: 17Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Page 3 of 14

Typical mode of arrival at and departure from school


Time of Trip Numberof Trips Walk Bike School

BusFamilyVehicle Carpool Transit Other

Morning 166 4% 0% 39% 54% 3% 0.6% 0%

Afternoon 152 7% 0% 43% 45% 3% 1% 0%

No Response Morning: 9No Response Afternoon: 23Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Page 4 of 14

Typical mode of school arrival and departure by distance child lives from school

Page 5 of 14


School Arrival

Distance Number withinDistance Walk Bike School


Less than 1/4 mile 21 33% 0% 0% 67% 0% 0% 0%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 10 0% 0% 0% 90% 10% 0% 0%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 7 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0%

1 mile up to 2 miles 31 0% 0% 32% 65% 3% 0% 0%

More than 2 miles 81 0% 0% 54% 41% 4% 1% 0%


School Departure



Less than 1/4 mile 19 47% 0% 0% 47% 5% 0% 0%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 9 11% 0% 11% 67% 11% 0% 0%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 5 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0%

1 mile up to 2 miles 29 3% 0% 31% 62% 3% 0% 0%

More than 2 miles 75 0% 0% 61% 33% 3% 3% 0%


Page 6 of 14

Percent of children who have asked for permission to walk or bike to/from school bydistance they live from school


Asked Permission? Number of Children Less than1/4 mile

1/4 mile upto 1/2 mile

1/2 mile upto 1 mile

1 mile upto 2 miles

More than2 miles

Yes 28 68% 30% 25% 0% 7%

No 128 32% 70% 75% 100% 93%


Page 7 of 14

Issues reported to affect the decision to not allow a child to walk or bike to/from school byparents of children who do not walk or bike to/from school

Issues reported to affect the decision to allow a child to walk or bike to/from school byparents of children who already walk or bike to/from school

Page 8 of 14


Issue Child does not walk/bike to school Child walks/bikes to school

Distance 73% 64%

Amount of Traffic Along Route 68% 45%

Speed of Traffic Along Route 65% 18%

Violence or Crime 55% 18%

Safety of Intersections and Crossings 50% 9%

Weather or climate 49% 18%

Sidewalks or Pathways 42% 0%

Time 19% 0%

Crossing Guards 16% 27%

Adults to Bike/Walk With 12% 9%

Convenience of Driving 6% 9%

Child's Participation in After School Programs 3% 0%

Number of Respondents per Category 156 11

No response: 8Note:--Factors are listed from most to least influential for the 'Child does not walk/bike to school' group.--Each column may sum to > 100% because respondent could select more than issue--The calculation used to determine the percentage for each issue is based on the 'Number of Respondents per Category' withinthe respective columns (Child does not walk/bike to school and Child walks/bikes to school.) If comparing percentages betweenthe two columns, please pay particular attention to each column's number of respondents because the two numbers can differdramatically.

Page 9 of 14

Parents' opinions about how much their child's school encourages or discourages walkingand biking to/from school

Parents' opinions about how much fun walking and biking to/from school is for their child

Page 10 of 14

Parents' opinions about how healthy walking and biking to/from school is for their child

Page 11 of 14

Comments Section

SurveyID Comment

125464 I USED TO ATTEND CLEARVIEW SCHOOLS ALSO AND I WAS HIT BY A CAR WALKING HOME CROSSINGBROADWAY. I WAS IN ABOUT 9TH GRADE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CROSSING GUARD THERE.

125498 I DON'T THINK ANY CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO WALK TO AND FROM SCHOOL AT ANY AGE!!

125510 I DON'T THINK NO KIDS SHOULD WALK TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF ALL THE DANGER AND CREEPY PEOPLEWALKING AND LURKING THESE STREETS.

125516 MY CHILDREN AGES WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO WALK OR BIKE TO OR FROM SCHOOL. BESIDE I WON'TFEEL THAT IS SAFE.

125438 I WOULD NOT LET MY CHILD WALK OR RIDE A BIKE TO SCHOOL UNTIL SHE IS OLD ENOUGH MAYBE 13 YRSOF AGE. THAT'S MY OPINION.

125439 CHILDREN ARE BEING ABDUCTED EVERYDAY. ALLOWING THEM TO WALK OR BIKE TO/FROM SCHOOL ISLIKE LEAVING BAIT ON A HOOK.

125461 UNLESS THE CHILDREN LIVE DIRECTLY BEHIND VINCENT THEY ARE TOO YOUNG TO WALK. DURLING IS ALITTLE DIFFERENT. I DID LET MY CHILD WALK HOME IN 6TH GRADE BUT NOT TO SCHOOL. AT THAT TIMEWE ONLY LIVED ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE SCHOOL IF THAT.

125463 QUESTION # 9-SHE WALKS HOME WITH 5TH GRADE SIBBLING

125496 I PREFER TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND PICK HER UP THAT WAY I KNOW SHE ARRIVED SAFEAND WILL RETURN HOME SAFE.

125386 I USE TO WALK AND I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS FUN NOR HEALTHY. I HATED SCHOOL CAUSE HAD TO WALK

125428 MY CHILDREN WILL NEVER WALK TO SCHOOL. THERE ARE CHILD PREDATORS EVERYWHERE AND IWOULD NEVER FEEL SAFE LETTING THEM WALK TO OR FROM IN THIS DAY AND AGE.

125430 I BELIEVE ITS UNSAFE FOR ANY CHILD TO WALK OR RIDE BIKE TO SCHOOL.

125378 I THINK CROSSING SHOULD BE PROVIDED OR THE SCHOOL HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR KIDS WHENKIDNAPPED!

125529 BELIEVE IN EXERCISE AND FITNESS BUT MY CHILD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH OR OLD ENOUGH FORME TO EVEN CONSIDER LETTING HIM/HER BIKE OR WALK TO SCHOOL.

125457 I THINK MORE BUSES WOULD HELP OUT. EVERY MORNING I SEE THE BUS JUST DRIVE PAST MY HOUSE. IHOPE THINGS CHANGE SO NEXT YEAR WE COULD USE BUSES TOO.

125494 I THINK THAT WALKING AND BICYCLING IS VERY HEALTHY BUT IN TODAY SOCIETY WITH THE CRIME ANDTRAFFIC WITHEN OUR AREA IT IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AS A PARENT I FEEL THAT I MUST PROTECTMY CHILDREN AT ALL COST. ALSO THERE ARE TOO MANY CHILD MOLESTERS WITHIN OUR AREA.

125385 I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF KIDS WALKING TO SCHOOL UNLESS IT'S ACROSS THE STREET. LOOK AT ALLTHE KIDS IN CLEVELAND GETTING HIT OR KILLED CUZ THEY HAVE TO WALK. THE KID HERE 14CLEARVIEW THAT HAVE GOT HIT ON BROADWAY. DUH! IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.

125387 IT IS TO DANGEROUS-THERE ARE PEOPLE FOLLOWING KIDS FROM THE BUS STOP TO SCHOOL ANDHOME FROM SCHOOL.

125388 I HAVE ONE CHILD IN VINCENT AND ONE IS DURLING. WE LIVE ALMOST 2 MILES AWAY FROM BOTHSCHOOLS. THAT IS WAY TO FAR FOR EITHER OF MY CHILDREN TO WALK OR RIDE A BIKE TO SCHOOL.

Page 12 of 14

125402 I FEEL THAT IF WE CAN PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR CHILDREN OUT OF OUR DISTRICT THEN WECERTAINLY SHOULDN'T HAVE OUR SMALL YOUNG CHILDREN THAT DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT WALKING TOSCHOOL IN THE COLD AN DTHE RAIN. I THINK OUR LOCAL CHILDREN SCHOOL BE OUR TOP PRIORITY!UNFORTUNATELY OUR LOCAL CHILDREN DON'T SEEM TO BE A PRIORITY AT ALL. WHAT HAPPENED TOTHE COMMUNITY SCHOOL THAT WE USED TO BE!! THE SCHOOL BOARD BLAMES THE COMMUNITY FORNOT PASSING LEVYS HOWEVER IF THE SCHOOLBOARD LISTENED TO THE COMMUNITY THEN MAYBE WECOULD PASS SOME LEVYS. WE NEED TO GET RID OF ALL THE MORONS WHO CARE MORE ABOUTPOPULARITY AND MONEY AND GET SOMEONE ON THE BOARD AND IN OFFICES THAT ACCTUALLY CAREABOUT THE CHILDREN THAT LIVE IN OUR DISTRICT! I AM SURE THAT THIS WILL BE DISREGARDED JUSTAS ALL THE OTHER ARGUMENTS THAT GO AGAINST THE POPULAR BELEIFES OF OUR SUPERINTENDENTAND SCHOOLBOARD. HOWEVER YOU ASKED SO I TOLD YOU!THE COMMUNITY HAS LEARNED AT THISPOINT THAT THIS IS A LOSING BATTLE FOR OUR CHILDREN ANYWAY YOU LOOK AT IT.

125417 WE LIVE ON THE WEST SIDE OF LORAIN. VINCENT IS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LORAIN. THE DISTANCEPROHIBITS OUR CHILDREN FROM WALKING/BICYCLING.

125426 I LIVE TOO FAR AWAY FROM VINCENT TO LET MY CHILD WALK TO SCHOOL.

125357 I FEEL THAT WITH GROWING AMOUNT OF CHILD PREDATORS AND KIDNAPPERS AND SCHOOL VIOLANCEIT IS BEST THAT I DRIVE AND PICK UP MY CHILDREN.

125365 QUESTION # 14-THE EXERCISE IS HEALTHY

125371 QUESTION # 8-TOO FAR

125443 THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED ON A VERY BUSY STREET.

125431 RIGHT NOW WE LIVE TOO FAR FOR MY CHILDREN TO WALK/BIKE. WE LIVE CLOSER TO THE MIDDLESCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL. ONCE THE KIDS GO THERE THEY WOULD PROBABLY WALK/BIKE.

125500 I BELIEVE EVERY NEIBORHOOD SHOULD HAVE SIDEWALKS FOR CHILDREN. QUESTION # 16-TRADESCHOOL

125507 NOT EVERYONE HAVE TRANSPORTATION OR DRIVES AND THERE ARE SOME OF US WHOE ARE NOT INTHE BEST OF HEALTH. I'M NOT IN GOOD HEALTH I COULD LET THEM BUT WON'T. I'M ALSO ON WHO KEEPSTO MYSELF I DONT KNOWSOME OF MY NEIGHBORS AND DON'T WISH TO GET ALL CHUMMING WITH THEMNOW JUST TO RIDE MY CHILD TO SCHOOL. MY OLDER DAUGHTER AND MY 9 YEAR OLD RIDES THETRANSIT BUS HOME FROM SCHOOL IF WE DON'T HAVE ANYMORE MONEY MY HOLDER DAUGHTER ANDMY 9 YEAR OLD WALKS HOME. IF ITS THUNDER AND LIGHTING RAINING HARD THEY ARE SOAKED (SOAKAND WET) THERE ARE WEIRDO'S LOOSE DOGS ETC. BUSY STREETS AND CROSSING ETC. AND STARTINGMAY 1 2007 TRANSIT BUSWILL BE CUTTING SOME OF THEIR ROUTES AND WILL RIDE ONLY EVERY TWOHOURS. SO I CAN'T WIN FOR LOSING. AND I'M ANGRY AS HELL! QUESTION # 7-IF THEY WALK ITS ONEHOUR AND 45 MINS.

125508 MY CHILDREN WALK TO THEIR GRANDPARENTS AFTERSCHOOL. I CAN STAND AT THE CORNER AND SEETHEM. HOWEVER THE TRAFFIC IS MY MAIN CONCERN. WHEN CARS COME IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTIONTHEY ARE WALKING IN PEOPLE'S YARDS. WHEN THE SNOW COMES ITS A DIFFERENT STORY. THEY HAVENO WHERE TO MOVE ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SNOW IS PLOWED.

125522 MY DAUGHTER IS AN OPEN ENROLLMENT STUDENT.

125397 AS IT STAND NOW SHE IS TO YOUNG TO BE ON THE STREET WITH ANOTHER CHILD OR NOT-SHE MUST BEACCOMPINIED BY A RESPONSIBLE PRE-ESTABLISHED PERSON TO HAVE HER DELIEVER TO THE SCHOL

125418 QUESTION # 9-15-16 YRS OLD. QUESTION #11-DEPENDING ON WHERE WE LIVE ECT...

125423 I WOULD NOT LET MY CHILDREN WALK OR RIDE A BIKE TO SCHOOL. I AM HAPPY WITH THEM RIDING THEBUS.

125424 THERE ARE NO SIDEWALKS FOR KIDS T WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL. THE CROSSINGCAURDS ARE NOT INTHE CORRECT PLACES.

125425 I WOULD NOT LET MY CHILDREN WALK OR RIDE A BIKE TO SCHOOL. I AM HAPPY WITH THEM RIDING THEBUS

125370 I DRIVE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. AFTER SCHOOL THEY WALK TO THEIR GRANDPARENTS WHICH ISLOCATED ON THE NEXT STREET. I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THE TRAFFIC BECAUSE IT'S LINED UP ONONE SIDE AND CARS THAT COME IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IS WHERE THE CHILDREN WALK. WINTERTIME I GIVE THEM A CHOICE IF THEY WOULD LIKE ME TO PICK THEM UP BUT THEY RATHER WALK WITHTHEIR FRIENDS. WINTER TIME CONCERNS ME THE MOST BECAUSE AFTER THE SNOW PLOWS THERE ISNO ROOM ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET FOR THE CHILDREN TO MOVE WHEN A COME IS COMING.

Page 13 of 14

125373 QUESTION # 9-HIGH SCHOOL

125376 I TRUST MY CHILDREN TO WALK TO SCHOOL HOWEVER I DON'T TRUST OTHERS.

125517 WE JUST LIVE TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL TO ARRIVE IN ANY MANNER OTHER THAN DRIVING.

125518 QUESTION # 6-DAYCARE VAN

125530 IF THERE WERE SIDEWALKS ALONG THE STREET I WOULD LET MY CHILDREN WALK TO SCHOOL ALSO IFCARS WOULD SLOW DOWN.

125442 QUESTION # 9-WE LIVE TOO FAR

125444 TODAY I WOULD BE VERY WARY ABOUT LETTING CHILDREN WALK BY THEMSELVES. MY BOYS WILL ONLYWALK IF THEY BOTH ARE AT SCHOOL OR A FRIEND IS W/ THEM.

125404 13/14 FUN AND HEALTHY BUT A DANGER TO THEIR LIVES DO TO THE CONTROL OS TRAFFIC. ALTHOUGHIT IS CONVENENT TO THE SCHOOL IT IS INCONVENENT TO THE HOMEOWNERS AND RESIDENTS OFFLEMING AVE. NOT JUST THE DIFFICULTIES OF GETTING IN AND OUT OF ONES DRIVEWAY BUT ALSO THEHEAVY DAMAGE FROM THE BUSES AND CARS. WITH THE PLUS SIDE OF LIVING ON THE STREET COMESTHE NEGATIVE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WHICH DEPRECIATES THE REALESTATE VALUE AND CONDITIONS OFTHE ROAD.

125414 I DON'T FEEL LORAIN IS SAFE ENOUGH TO HAVE KIDS WALK TO SCHOOL UNATTENDED AND SINCE I HAVECHIDREN AT 2 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS THIS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US.

125367 QUESTION # 9-IS WHEN THEY STARTED WALKING BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE LETTING ANY CHILD WALK.

125368 RIGHT NOW WE LIVE TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL FOR WALKING TO BE A CONSIDERATION. NEXTYEAR THOUGH WE WILL LIVE VERY CLOSE TO HIS SCHOOL BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS SAFE ENOUGH FORHIM TO WALK.

Page 14 of 14

Parent Survey SummaryProgram Name: Clearview STP Month and Year Collected: Fall 2008

School Name: Durling Middle Set ID: 1092


Enrollment within Grades Targeted by SRTS Program: 570 Number of QuestionnairesAnalyzed for Report:

39

Number of Questionnaires Distributed: 100

This report contains information from parents about their children's trip to and from school. The report also reflectsparents' perceptions regarding whether walking and bicycling to school is appropriate for their child. The data used in thisreport were collected using the Survey about Walking and Biking to School for Parents form from the National Center forSafe Routes to School.

Sex of children for parents that provided information

Page 1 of 12



Grade in SchoolResponses per

grade

Number Percent

5 16 41%

6 10 26%

7 11 28%

8 2 5%

No response: 0Percentages may not total 100% due torounding.

Page 2 of 12



Distance betweenhome and school Number of children Percent

Less than 1/4 mile 3 8%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 4 11%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 4 11%

1 mile up to 2 miles 10 28%

More than 2 miles 15 42%


Page 3 of 12



Time of Trip Numberof Trips Walk Bike School


Morning 39 10% 3% 21% 54% 13% 0% 0%

Afternoon 36 19% 3% 22% 44% 11% 0% 0%

No Response Morning: 0No Response Afternoon: 3Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Page 4 of 12


Page 5 of 12


School Arrival



Less than 1/4 mile 3 33% 0% 0% 67% 0% 0% 0%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 4 25% 0% 0% 75% 0% 0% 0%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 4 25% 25% 0% 25% 25% 0% 0%

1 mile up to 2 miles 10 10% 0% 20% 40% 30% 0% 0%

More than 2 miles 15 0% 0% 40% 53% 7% 0% 0%


School Departure



Less than 1/4 mile 3 67% 0% 0% 0% 33% 0% 0%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 4 25% 0% 0% 75% 0% 0% 0%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 4 25% 25% 0% 25% 25% 0% 0%

1 mile up to 2 miles 10 30% 0% 20% 40% 10% 0% 0%

More than 2 miles 12 0% 0% 42% 50% 8% 0% 0%


Page 6 of 12



Asked Permission? Number of Children Less than1/4 mile

1/4 mile upto 1/2 mile

1/2 mile upto 1 mile

1 mile upto 2 miles

More than2 miles

Yes 14 100% 75% 75% 40% 7%

No 21 0% 25% 25% 60% 93%


Page 7 of 12

Issues reported to affect the decision to not allow a child to walk or bike to/from school byparents of children who do not walk or bike to/from school


Page 8 of 12


Issue Child does not walk/bike to school Child walks/bikes to school

Distance 77% 83%

Amount of Traffic Along Route 65% 33%

Speed of Traffic Along Route 65% 33%

Weather or climate 58% 100%

Violence or Crime 55% 33%

Safety of Intersections and Crossings 48% 50%

Sidewalks or Pathways 45% 50%

Time 35% 17%

Crossing Guards 19% 17%

Adults to Bike/Walk With 16% 0%

Convenience of Driving 6% 0%

Child's Participation in After School Programs 3% 0%

Number of Respondents per Category 31 6

No response: 2Note:--Factors are listed from most to least influential for the 'Child does not walk/bike to school' group.--Each column may sum to > 100% because respondent could select more than issue--The calculation used to determine the percentage for each issue is based on the 'Number of Respondents per Category' withinthe respective columns (Child does not walk/bike to school and Child walks/bikes to school.) If comparing percentages betweenthe two columns, please pay particular attention to each column's number of respondents because the two numbers can differdramatically.

Page 9 of 12

Parents' opinions about how much their child's school encourages or discourages walkingand biking to/from school

Parents' opinions about how much fun walking and biking to/from school is for their child

Page 10 of 12

Parents' opinions about how healthy walking and biking to/from school is for their child

Page 11 of 12

Comments Section

SurveyID Comment

125342 I THINK THAT IF THE SCHOOL WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA WITH LESS TRAFFIC THAT THE CHILDRENLOCATED CLOSE TO THE SCHOOL COULD BIKE OR WALK HOME SAFELY.IF THERE WAS A PLAN THAT THEPARENTS COULD SEE IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING PARENTS WOULD LIKE. DO TO THE LARGE AREA OF THESCHOOL DISTRICT IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE HOW YOU COULD FORCE OR EVEN ASK PARENTS TO WALKTHEIR KIDS TO WALK OR BIKE TO SCHOOL.

125336 QUESTION # 6-TO LATCH KEY-THEN FAMILY VEHICLE HOME

125343 IF WE LIVED CLOSE TO SCHOOL AND THERE WEREN'T CRAZY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD MY KIDS WOULDWALK. I WILL NOT ALLOW MY KIDS TO BE UNATTENDED UNTIL THEY ARE ADULTS WITH ALL THE SICKOSOUT THERE.

125345 QUESTION # 12-TOOK BUSAWAY IN 4TH GRADE-UNDER 2 MILES

125346 MY CHILD WOULD HAVE TO CROSS MANY STREETS TO GET TO SCHOOL. SO I WOULDN'T FEEL SAFE ATANY AGE.

125352 QUESTION # 13-NOT FUN/UNSAFE

125322 I LIVE EXACTLY 3.8 MILES AWAY. I DO NOT FEEL AT ANY TIME HER WALKING OR RIDING A BIKE IS SAFE.

125330 I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH MY CHILDREN WALKING. THERE ISN'T A SAFE PATHWAY FOR THEMTO GET HOME.

125331 OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS CROSSING BROADWAY. PERSONALLY I'D RATHER HAVE MY CHILDREN WALKBEHIND THE HIGH SCHOOL THEN WALK DOWN NORTH RIDGE ROAD-IT'S VERY BUSY W/ NO SIDEWALKSAND ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE "RUSHING" TO SCHOOL OR WORK AT THAT TIME IN THE MORNING.

125348 QUESTION # 15-WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH MY CHILD WALKING TO SCHOOL?

125337 MY CHILDREN DON'T WALK BECAUSE WE LIVE TO FAR FROM SCHOOL.

125350 EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT HOME UNTIL 5:15P THERE IS AN ADULT HERE AT ALL TIMES. HIS SISTER HAS ANURSE HERE 7A-7P

125321 VERY CONCERNED WITH THE CROSSING GUARD. I RARELY EVER SEE HER OUT OF HER TRUCK. KIDSCROSS ALL OVER THE STREET BECAUSE THE GUARD IS NOT STANDING OUTSIDE.

Page 12 of 12

Tally Report SummaryProgram Name: Clearview STP Month and Year Collected: May 2011

School Name: Vincent Elementary Set ID: 8156


Enrollment within Grades Targeted by SRTS Program: 605 Number of ClassroomsIncluded in Report:

24

Number of Classrooms in School: 35

This report contains information from parents about their children's trip to and from school. The data used in this report were collected using thein-class Student Travel Tally questionnaire from the National Center for Safe Routes to School.

Morning and Afternoon Travel Mode Comparison


Numberof Trips Walk Bike School


Morning 1553 3% 0% 47% 48% 2% 0.4% 0.3%

Afternoon 1550 4% 0% 51% 42% 2% 0.4% 0.5%

Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Page 1 of 3

Morning and Afternoon Travel Mode Comparison by Day


Number ofTrips Walk Bike School Bus Family

Vehicle Carpool Transit Other

Tuesday AM 537 3% 0% 45% 49% 3% 0.4% 0.2%

Tuesday PM 536 4% 0% 51% 43% 2% 0.4% 0.2%

Wednesday AM 537 3% 0% 46% 48% 2% 0.4% 0.2%

Wednesday PM 532 4% 0% 52% 41% 2% 0.4% 0.6%

Thursday AM 479 3% 0% 49% 45% 2% 0.4% 0.6%

Thursday PM 482 4% 0% 51% 43% 2% 0.4% 0.6%


Page 2 of 3

Travel Mode by Weather Conditions

Travel Mode by Weather Condition

WeatherCondition



Sunny 1138 4% 0% 50% 43% 3% 0.3% 0.4%

Rainy 621 3% 0% 51% 45% 1.0% 0.3% 0%

Overcast 1344 3% 0% 47% 47% 2% 0.5% 0.5%

Snow 0 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%


Page 3 of 3

Tally Report SummaryProgram Name: Clearview STP Month and Year Collected: May 2011

School Name: Durling Middle Set ID: 8150


Enrollment within Grades Targeted by SRTS Program: 540 Number of ClassroomsIncluded in Report:

28

Number of Classrooms in School: 28

This report contains information from parents about their children's trip to and from school. The data used in this report were collected using thein-class Student Travel Tally questionnaire from the National Center for Safe Routes to School.





Morning 1070 8% 0.2% 39% 46% 7% 0% 0%

Afternoon 1078 11% 0% 44% 39% 6% 0% 0%


Page 1 of 3



Number ofTrips Walk Bike School Bus Family

Vehicle Carpool Transit Other

Tuesday AM 455 7% 0% 40% 48% 5% 0% 0%

Tuesday PM 528 12% 0% 45% 37% 6% 0% 0%

Wednesday AM 451 7% 0.2% 38% 44% 10% 0% 0%

Wednesday PM 433 11% 0% 46% 37% 5% 0% 0%

Thursday AM 164 12% 0.6% 41% 41% 5% 0% 0%

Thursday PM 117 7% 0% 33% 53% 7% 0% 0%


Page 2 of 3

Travel Mode by Weather Conditions

Travel Mode by Weather Condition

WeatherCondition



Sunny 479 11% 0.2% 44% 37% 8% 0% 0%

Rainy 550 10% 0% 41% 42% 7% 0% 0%

Overcast 1100 8% 0.1% 41% 45% 6% 0% 0%

Snow 19 26% 0% 21% 47% 5% 0% 0%


Page 3 of 3


Attachment B: Current Surveys


Attachment C: Future Surveys


Attachment D: Wellness Data


Attachment E: Existing Policies-Enforcement


Attachment F: District Map


Attachment G: School Locations on Map


Attachment H: ODOT-sponsored Clearview Local School District Engineering Study

Safe Routes to School Engineering StudyClearview Local School District

Vincent Elementary School Durling Middle School

October 2010

Prepared by: Stantec Consulting

Services, Inc.

Prepared for: Ohio Department of

Transportation, District 3

Clearview Local School District Safe Routes to School – Engineering Study

i

Executive Summary The purpose of the Clearview Local School District Safe Routes to School Engineering Study is to improve the safety and ability of students to walk and bike to Vincent Elementary School and Durling Middle School through the implementation of infrastructure improvements within a two mile trip of each school. In order to fulfill this purpose, effective solutions must address the following needs:

• enhance connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists between neighborhoods and the schools; • correct existing pedestrian and bike deficiencies along key routes; and • promote a healthier lifestyle for the students of the Clearview Local School District.

Both schools under study are located on different campuses in Sheffield Township, Lorain County. The existing conditions surrounding each school were investigated in order to identify the primary barriers to safe walking and biking.

Vincent Elementary School: Primary barriers include the width and traffic volumes on SR-57, the busy and wide intersection of SR-57 and SR-254, congestion around the school during drop-off and pick-up times, and the lack of sidewalks on most local streets around the school.

Durling Middle School: Primary barriers include congestion around the schools during drop-off and pick-up times, the width and volume of traffic on S Broadway Avenue, the lack of sidewalks on local streets, and a lack of connections between the school and nearby concentrations of students such as a trailer park and several apartment complexes.

Specific improvement suggestions were developed for each school with the goal of achieving the purpose and need of this planning project and addressing identified concerns. These recommendations were evaluated based on their ability to allow more students to safely walk or bike to school, as well as the general time frame in which they could feasibly be implemented. The recommendations were then divided into short-term (0-12 months), medium-term (1-3 years) and long-term (3+ years) solutions.

The short-term suggestions addressing issues at the schools are summarized as follows:

Vincent Elementary School: Construct sidewalk on roads immediately around the school and several roads leading into the neighborhood around the school, and construct sidewalk along and crosswalks across SR-254 between SR-57 and West River Road.

Durling Middle School: Implement a road diet on S Broadway Avenue and make improvements at its intersection with North Ridge Road, relocate and improve the mid-block crosswalk, construct sidewalk in the neighborhoods east of S Broadway Avenue, and erect school speed limit zone flashers along North Ridge Road.


ii

Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................ i EXISTING CONDITIONS .................................................................................................................................... 1

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 VINCENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ............................................................................................................................................... 2 DURLING MIDDLE SCHOOL ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

ASSESSMENT OF CRASH DATA ......................................................................................................................... 7 IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 8

SAFETY AND ENCOURAGEMENT PROGRAMS ........................................................................................................................... 8 NEW FACILITY DESIGN GUIDELINES ........................................................................................................................................ 8 ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................. 9 VINCENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ............................................................................................................................................... 9 DURLING MIDDLE SCHOOL ...................................................................................................................................................... 11

REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 15


1

Existing Conditions In order to successfully identify, assess, and improve walking and biking routes to school, it is important to first “take stock” of the existing infrastructure and other conditions that affect the safety, comfort, and accessibility of those routes. Within a two-mile radius of both Vincent Elementary and Durling Middle schools, current pedestrian and bicycle conditions were documented utilizing available mapping, windshield surveys, and walking audits of the school premises and surrounding neighborhoods. On September 14th, 2010, the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) team members met with representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc to discuss barriers to the schools, observe the dismissal of students, and conduct a walking audit of the areas around both schools.

In addition to discussing barriers, the group also discussed upcoming infrastructure projects to help coordinate recommendations with other improvements being pursued by ODOT, Lorain County, and Sheffield Township. The identified future projects include:

• Minor widening of SR-254 (North Ridge Road) to add a center turn lane and enhancements at its intersection with West River Road (ODOT).

• Repaving/reconstruction of several local road segments near Vincent Elementary School and Durling Middle School by Sheffield Township. At the present time, these projects intend to replace what is there – typically 16 foot roadway with enclosed drainage. At this time, sidewalks and curb and gutter are not being considered.

• Construction of a fire house and, most likely, an emergency vehicle signal or beacon near the intersection of S Broadway Avenue and 46th Street.

General Observations Clearview Local School District is approximately 4.27 square miles in size, serving students who reside within Sheffield Township and a small portion of the City of Lorain. The district has one elementary school located at the eastern end of the district. The middle school and high school share a common campus on the western end of the district. Both schools under study are located near small residential areas; however, the lack of through streets, sidewalks, and safe crossings are barriers restricting more students from having safe and attractive routes to school.

Figure 1: A typical local residential street in the Clearview LocalSchool District with 16 feet of pavement and enclosed drainage. Fewif any local streets in the district have continuous sidewalks.


2

Most local streets within the attendance area lack sidewalk, curb and gutter, and have narrow pavement widths, typically 16 feet (Figure 1). With the exception of the lack of sidewalks, most local streets are somewhat comfortable for older students and adults to walk or bike on as long as the narrow width serves to reduce vehicle speeds. Though the streets have some illumination, student visibility to drivers is still a concern. These neighborhoods typically have short, walkable blocks; however, this is not always the case. In some places through streets were not constructed. In such places, sections of neighborhood simply do not connect, resulting in pedestrians cutting through the yards of private residences.

The district is comprised of disjointed development, typically pockets of neighborhoods separated by large forested parcels, commercial development, and a railroad corridor that bisects the district. In spite of all of these challenges, there are opportunities to improve the walking and biking environment.

Vincent Elementary School The largest barrier for students walking or biking to Vincent Elementary School is its location in the southeastern corner of the district. Few if any students live to the south and the small numbers of students live immediately north or east of the school. The rest of the district and school’s students

live west of the school and SR-57, a divided four lane limited access highway with a speed limit of 50 mph and about 16,000 vehicles per day.

There is a signalized intersection at SR-254 (North Ridge Road) where pedestrians can cross and it is equipped with pedestrian signal heads and push buttons. Students who cross at the intersection would have to cross a 120 LF crosswalk and six lanes of traffic at a busy and

complicated intersection (Figure 2). Though pedestrian signal heads and push buttons improve the safety for adults, the sheer scale of the intersection, amount of activity, and complicated signal pattern may make this intersection a barrier to all but the most experienced students. Insufficient street lighting and high vehicle speeds through the intersection combine to shorten response times for both drivers and pedestrians. The current facility includes most of the upgrades that could be recommended and yet the school does not encourage students to cross here without adult supervision. Mayfield Street, about a quarter-mile to the north, has an unsignalized intersection with SR-57 but this is a more difficult place for pedestrians to cross as there is no intersection control for SR-57.

Given all of the factors along the corridor, students who live west of SR-57 have no safe or attractive route to walk or bike to school. The best place to cross would be at the signalized

Figure 2: The crosswalk at the intersection of SR-57 and SR-254 that studentswould have to walk across to get to Vincent Elementary School.


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intersection with SR-254. If accompanied by an adult, this is conceivable. Without assistance from an adult, it seems to be inadvisable for students to walk or bike across SR-57 at this time. In perspective, this barrier inhibits about half of the students who could walk to school from doing so.

Vincent Elementary School is located on SR-254, currently a two lane highway that experiences moderate levels of congestion during arrival and dismissal times. The combination of School Zone flashers and congestion help to control vehicle speeds in the area. During the observed dismissal, several parents helped their students cross the highway to walk home. A marked crosswalk was available at the intersection of SR-254 and Fleming Avenue; however, all who crossed the highway crossed immediately in front of the school as the crosswalk appeared to be out of the way. Though traffic was moving at a slow pace, the amount of traffic would make it difficult for any students to cross the road by themselves. Accessibility along SR-254 was limited by a lack of sufficient sidewalk (Figure 3). This is the route to school for those who live on Bond or Farr avenues.

Like other neighborhoods in the attendance area, the roughly 16 blocks of residences to the north and east of the school are comprised of streets that lack sidewalk, curb and gutter, and have a narrow 16 feet of pavement. This creates problems near the school as dozens of parents park on the edge of the road, blocking some through movements and occupying the portion of the roadway students use to walk or bike home. Though there are two drop-off and pick-up lanes at the school, congestion on SR-254 and some illegally parked vehicles made their effectiveness less than optimal, further contributing to congestion in the neighborhood around the school.

On school property, there were several sections of sidewalk or walkways to assist those walking into the building from parking and drop-off/pick-up areas on the west, south, and east sides of the school. None of these walkways are connected to each other and there are no sidewalks along adjacent streets for accessing the school property. Several students, some alone and others with parents, walked home from school during our site visit. With some improvements, considerably more students could join them.

Figure 3: An adult walks two elementary school aged children and a third, youngerchild along SR-254 (North Ridge Road). The lack of adequate sidewalk, and thelack of curb and gutter along this busy road reduces the comfort and safety ofthose who would walk along it.


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Durling Middle School Primary barriers to Durling Middle School include its location on the far western end of the district, the need for most students to cross busy S Broadway Avenue, the lack of sidewalk along most local streets, and the lack of connections to nearby apartment complexes, subdivisions, and a trailer park. Despite these barriers, a sizable number of students walk or bike to school.

During the dismissal, sizable numbers of students walked from Durling Middle School to the High School, from which students walked through the High School’s parking lot or east along an access drive that is closed to through traffic (Figure 4). From this point, students walk along S Broadway Avenue or North Ridge Road toward their homes.

To the south of the school are several local residential streets including Cherrywood, North, Cottonwood, and Basswood drives. This development lacks connections to Clearview Drive, North Ridge Road, and the school campus. The lack of connection would require some students to walk 5,500 to 6,000 feet to access homes that are 650 to 1,000 feet the school campus. Similarly, there is a rather large trailer park about 1,000 feet to the north of the middle school building. The lack of a connecting path requires students to legally walk a route that is about 6,000 to 7,000 feet long to get from the trailer park to the school. It appears as if some students walk through the school-owned forest between the trailer park and the school; however, there is no official path for them to do so.

School officials are currently working to construct a nature trail through the woods; however, a connection to the trailer park is not planned and the school does not plan on plowing the nature trail for access during the winter.

Most students walking or biking to the school will most likely cross S Broadway Avenue (Figure 5), a four lane arterial with an average daily volume of approximately 15,250 vehicles a day. Students have two marked crossing locations near the

Figure 5: S Broadway Avenue is an arterial roadway with a four lane section,curb and gutter, and sidewalks. Above, a view of a crosswalk crossing theavenue within the school zone of the middle and high school campus.

Figure 4: Students walk in an access drive behind the High School toaccess S Broadway Avenue. The access drive is closed to through traffic tomake conditions safer for the students walking and biking from the school.


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school complex, including the crosswalks (equipped with pedestrian signal heads and push buttons) at the skewed, signalized intersection of S Broadway Avenue and North Ridge Road, and a striped and signed mid-block crosswalk about 460 feet to the north of the intersection. Both crossing locations have safety concerns.

At the skewed, signalized intersection, the crosswalk across the western leg is 95 feet long. This length is considerably longer than the 36 feet of width needed for the through travel lanes. The added length includes extra pavement used to accommodate the wide right turns of large vehicles. Secondly, the marked crosswalk on the north approach is set perpendicular to S Broadway Avenue, placing the eastern end of the crosswalk about 75 feet north of the corner of the intersection. Because the crosswalk is not parallel to North Ridge Road, drivers turning on to northbound S Broadway Avenue have difficulty seeing that there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk until they are accelerating out of their turn (Figure 6). Several close calls have been reported by school staff that assist students across the intersection. Our staff attempted to use the north approach crosswalk; however, the

pedestrian signal heads were dark and it was unclear if a walk phase was provided after pushing the pedestrian push buttons. Though the crosswalks at the intersection had been striped with a zebra pattern, these markings are now heavily worn and only the standard crosswalk markings are visible to drivers.

North of this intersection is second crossing, a mid-block crosswalk. This crosswalk is closest to the access drive behind the High School and is within the school speed limit zone. Most students who walk through the access drive live north and east of this point. Currently, the mid-block crossing is 100 feet south of the access drive, forcing all students who are walking north and east of the drive to walk out of their way to access the crosswalk. The walk is comprised of standard crosswalk pavement markings and a single reflective signs for traffic in each direction. As a result, the crosswalk is not very visible to motorists. Of further concern is the risk for a multiple threat crash at the crosswalk (Figure 7). In such a crash, a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian may obstruct the view of the pedestrian from drivers in an adjacent through lane of traffic. Lacking the

Figure 7: A diagram showing one type ofmultiple threat crash that could result in apedestrian crash.

Figure 6: The north approach crosswalk (bottom right of photograph) is 80 feet or more north of the radius return, reducing the visibility ofdrivers on North Ridge Road to see crossing pedestrians and viceversa.


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visibility, the driver may not have sufficient reaction time to stop for the pedestrian. Likewise, the pedestrian may not be aware that there is a vehicle quickly approaching the walk. For those crossing S Broadway Avenue, they must identify a successful gap in both north- and southbound traffic to safely cross the road. These factors make crossing S Broadway Avenue during a busy arrival or dismissal period a difficult task for adults, let alone students trying to walk or bike to school.

Like the area around Vincent Elementary School and other neighborhoods throughout the district, most all local roadways around the middle school are narrow and lack sidewalk. Disjointed development and missing roadway segments impact walking and biking conditions in the neighborhood east of both the middle school and S Broadway Avenue. Two places of particular concern include the missing street that would connect Toledo to Clifton avenues at E 48th Street (Figure 8), and the lack of access between Clifton Avenue and several apartment complexes to the east. When visiting the area, there were visible signs that people were trespassing (holes in fences), and local residents complained that younger people commonly cut through yards, “create a ruckus,” and otherwise cause problems in the neighborhood. Though it is unclear whether or not middle school students are causing the problem, the lack of public connections encourages students to trespass across private property. The school district and township have secured an agreement from several homeowners to provide land for a path to be

constructed connecting Toledo and Clifton avenues at E 48th Street. Beyond securing the easement, no work has been initiated to fund or construct the path.

Within the City of Lorain, north of E 39th Street, is a neighborhood consisting of about a half dozen blocks with sidewalks. Though the area is only about a mile from the school, there is no continuous link of sidewalk to the school. Providing the link would require students to cross Elyria Avenue, a two lane county highway. The safest location for a crossing would be at an existing signalized intersection at Toledo Avenue (Figure 9), which lacks pedestrian signal heads, push buttons, crosswalks, and ramps.

Figure 9: The signalized intersection of Toledo and Elyriaavenues, lacking crosswalks, pedestrian signal heads andpush buttons, and appearing to lack sufficient street lighting.This appears to be the safest crossing across Elyria Avenue.

Figure 8: Above, existing right of way to extend E 48th Street fromToledo Avenue to the rear property line of homes between Toledoand Clifton avenues. Two property owners on Clifton Avenue havean agreement with the school district to provide right of way tocomplete a path between the two streets, creating a legal way forpedestrians to cross from one street to the other.


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Assessment of Crash Data A review of crash data provided by ODOT for the latest available three year period (2005 to 2007) shows that 11 crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists were reported within the school district and a two-mile radius of the schools studied. These crashes resulted in five injured bicyclists, two injured pedestrians, and no fatalities.

Five crashes were reported in close proximity to Vincent Elementary School. Two of these crashes were reported on or near SR-57, including one at the intersection of SR-57 and SR-254. The crash at the intersection was reported to be the result of an “inattentive” pedestrian who was struck by an impaired driver. The remaining three crashes were reported in the neighborhood around the school. Two of the crashes resulted when bicyclists hit vehicles, one cyclist darting into the street into the path of a vehicle, and the other striking a stopped vehicle. A second set of crashes involving pedestrians, one in the neighborhood and a second on Mayfield Street near its intersection with SR-57. Both crashes involving pedestrians were classified as hit-skip.

In the vicinity of Durling Middle School, three crashes were reported on S Broadway Avenue. These crashes were reported near the intersection of Broadway with 44th, 38th, and 37th streets. One crash was attributed to a pedestrian crossing Broadway outside of an intersection or crosswalk, and a second crash was reported to be the result of a pedestrian walking in the middle of the road. The crash report for the third incident was unavailable.

Crashes were also reported at the intersections of Pearl Avenue and E 45th Street, Cooper Foster Park Road and Baldwin Boulevard, and SR-57 and Fairless Drive. These crash locations are either on the edge of the school district or in places where no students would be expected to walk or bike.

No roadway segments or intersections experienced multiple pedestrian or bicyclist crashes during the three-year reporting period. The lack of repeat crashes indicates that there are no high concentrations of ped/bike crashes. It is unclear if this is because conditions are relatively safe, or rather that relatively few locals walk or bike. The 11 crash reports had some common themes. Four crashes involved pedestrians or young bicyclists who were walking or biking on local roads road. This is understandable given the lack of sidewalk in the area. Two of the four crashes involved bicyclists who either disregarded traffic laws or were unable to control their bikes.


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Improvement Suggestions Safety and Encouragement Programs Perceived or real safety issues may be minimized by instituting education, enforcement and encouragement programs along identified SRTS routes and around the school property. Drop-off and pick-up policies should continually be monitored for safety and effectiveness and enforced with a reasonable level of effort. Encouragement programs could include a Walk/Bike to School Day or a walking school bus and should be implemented in conjunction with infrastructure improvements. Such programs would ideally be organized by members of the SRTS team, involved parents, and school staff.

The following non-infrastructure recommendations are offered to the school district to help improve the safety of students walking or biking to school.

• Encourage students to participate in a pedestrian and bicyclist safety and education course – Students would be encouraged to participate in an education program to improve their ability to safely walk or bike to school. Such a course could be incorporated into the physical education curriculum or provided after school or during the summer break. This program would benefit all students, even if they live too far away to reasonably walk or bike to school. Such a program should reduce incidents of ped/bike crashes in the area.

New Facility Design Guidelines Both Sheffield Township and the City of Lorain should strive to add pedestrian and bike facilities when performing major work on local roadways. The following guidelines are offered as ways local public agencies can work to provide useful facilities.

• Separate pedestrian and bike facilities from fast moving traffic with a curb and a five foot or wider tree lawn. Such a tree lawn will make the facility more comfortable for users and discourage the deposit of plowed snow on these walking and biking facilities.

• Plant street trees within the tree lawn where possible, shading the path of pedestrians and bicyclists.

• Discourage parking on pedestrian and bike facilities by using curbs, parking blocks, or bollards to discourage drivers from pulling up onto a sidewalk or multi-use path.

• Construct sidewalks with a comfortable width for all users, meeting or exceeding the current federal standard of a five foot width for a sidewalk and a 10 foot width for multi-use paths.

• Consider including a striped four foot paved shoulder to improve pavement life and provide a bike lane facility when repaving or rehabilitating busy roadways that lack curb and gutter.

• Equip all signalized intersections with pedestrian push buttons and signal heads that include a countdown feature to inform pedestrians how much time they have left before they should complete crossing the street.


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Engineering Improvements The engineering improvement suggestions provided to the SRTS team members aim to reduce vehicle speeds, establish safer crossings, and improve pedestrian and bike facilities within a two-mile trip of Vincent Elementary and Durling Middle schools. Specific improvement suggestions were developed with the goal of achieving the project Purpose and Need. The recommendations are grouped according to a general time frame in which treatments should be completed. They are defined as follows:

• Short-Term: 0-12 Months • Medium-Term: 1-3 Years • Long-Term: 3-10 Years

The following improvement suggestions provide the Clearview Local School District and both Sheffield Township and the City of Lorain with a range of possible improvements so that projects may be prioritized and budgeted for accordingly. Cost estimates are for planning purposes only and should not be considered detailed engineering cost estimates. The estimates provided in this study assume the recommendation would be implemented with others of a similar scope, allowing for economies of scale when contracting a firm to design and construct an improvement.

Vincent Elementary School


• Provide Bike Parking at Vincent Elementary School – Purchase a bike rack to hold 10 bikes for the school on a concrete pad. The rack should support students’ bikes from two points of contact to help reduce damage that can be caused by bikes that tip over. The inverted-U style rack is recommended because it can accommodate smaller bikes and will support bikes better than a wave rack or traditional ladder rack. Additional bike rack parking spaces should be requested if there is need. Cost estimate: $2,500 (for 10 spaces).


• Construct sidewalk on Vincent and Fleming avenues, and Wilson Street near Vincent Elementary School – Construct a combined 2,775 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on Vincent and Fleming avenues between SR-254 and Wilson Street, and Wilson Street between SR-57 and Farr Avenue. These sidewalks will provide a safer place for students to walk in an area where parents queue to pick up their

Figure 10: Parent vehicles are parked along the side of theroad, forcing those students to walk in the grass or out in themiddle of the street. At the height of the dismissal, privatevehicles occupy the side of the roadway on every street within ablock of the school. Parent vehicles park on both sides ofVincent Avenue pictured above.


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children (Figure 10). A sidewalk will provide a place where they can walk safely, separated from the side of the road where parent’s vehicles are parked. Sidewalks beyond this area are recommended to improve the safety of those who live further back in the neighborhood north of the school. Curb should be added where necessary to discourage parking on the sidewalk. Cost estimate: $121,000.

• Construct sidewalk on and crosswalks across SR-254 between SR-57 and West River Road – Construct 980 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on SR-254 between SR-57 and West River Road. Ladder style crosswalks should be striped over the east approach of the intersection of SR-254 and Dute Avenue, and west approach of the intersection of SR-254 and Fleming Avenue. This should be completed as a part of ODOT’s minor widening of SR-254 within the same limits. Cost estimate: $74,000.

• Construct sidewalk on Vincent and Fleming avenues, and Mayfield Street near the school – Construct 3,740 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on Vincent and Fleming avenues between Wilson and Frankfort streets, and Mayfield Street between SR-57 and Farr Avenue. This project includes the construction of sidewalk through blocks where the roadway was never constructed including, Fleming to Liberty and Liberty to Bond avenues. Cost estimate: $150,000.

Long-Term (3-10 Years)

• Construct a pedestrian bridge crossing across SR-57 at Wilson Street to provide a safer, more attractive and acceptable crossing for students to cross SR-57, a 50 mph limited access highway. The bridge would provide an alternative to the at-grade crossing at the busy and large intersection of SR-57 and SR-254. In addition to the bridge, 900 LF sidewalk should be extended from the west end of the structure and through a small wooded area to

Oakwood Boulevard, connecting to the neighborhood. When completed, this project would more than double the number of homes from which students could walk or bike to school, eliminating SR-57 as a barrier. The bridge is preferred over a long tunnel as it would allow for greater visibility and safety for the students. Cost estimate: $1,150,000. A small amount of right of way will be required for the project and is not included in this estimate.

• Build sidewalk along Oakwood Boulevard to provide a safer route from the western terminus of the pedestrian bridge and sidewalk project and local streets that connect to

Figure 11: A pedestrian bridge would permit students to safelyand comfortably cross SR-57, a busy road with fast movingtraffic. This improvement would be recommended over havingstudents cross at the signalized intersection with SR-254 (NorthRidge Road).


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Oakwood Boulevard. About 1,725 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps would be required for this project. Cost estimate: $73,500.

• Build sidewalk along McKinley and Clinton avenues to improve connectivity to Clinton Avenue and provide students who live along the road with a safer facility to walk or bike on. Roughly 4,135 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps would be required for this project. Cost estimate: $160,000.

• Build sidewalk along the remaining local streets in the neighborhood – Construct sidewalk along the following local road segments: Maddock Street west of the SR-57 access road; SR-57 access road from just north of Mayfield Street to North Ridge Road; Mayfield Street from SR-57 to Ridgeland Street; Ridgeland Street between its northern terminus and Wilson Street; and Taft, Roosevelt, Cleveland, Harrison, Garfield, and Grant avenues between Clinton Avenue and their eastern termini east of Oakwood Boulevard. The 15,600 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps would provide safe access to students who live on local roads in the neighborhood (Figure 12). Cost estimate: $550,000.

Durling Middle School


• Road Diet S Broadway Avenue, improving safety and adding on-road bike facilities – Change the current lane configuration from two through lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction, a center two way left turn lane, and add two bike lanes (Figures 12, 13).

Figure 12 (left): S Broadway Avenue today. Figure 13 (right): S Broadway Avenue after conversion from afour lane section to a three lane section with pedestrian refuge island, a portion of which is shown. Theisland provides a refuge for pedestrians, permitting them to cross one stream of traffic at a time. Plants andsignage would be erected on the island to help it remain visible even when snow covers pavement markings.

Figure 12: Vincent Avenue looking north from the schooldrive. This image shows the common character of the localroads around Vincent Elementary School. During arrivals anddismissals, these narrow roadways fill up with parents drivingstudents to school, forcing students into the grass.


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These improvements will improve the safety of pedestrian crossings by reducing the number of vehicular lanes students need to cross, help calm traffic and discourage speeding. Combined with intersection improvements (Figure 14) to add a pedestrian island, relocate crosswalks on the north and west approaches, and close an access drive to a gas station, the project will greatly improve safety for students walking to school from the east. The road diet and intersection modification improvements would most likely have a minimal effect on roadway traffic capacity on S Broadway Avenue or delay at the North Ridge Road signalized intersection. This would need to be verified with a traffic study. Cost estimate $100,000.

• Move existing mid-block crosswalk to a safer, more convenient location – The existing mid-block crosswalk between 47th and 48th streets should be relocated to improve the safety and convenience of the crossing. The crosswalk should be located about 175 feet to the north, include a pedestrian refuge island (in combination with the recommended road diet, see Figure 13), and be equipped with a pedestrian activated Rapid Flashing LED Beacon (Figure 15). The refuge island will permit students to cross one direction of traffic at a time and greatly reducing the possibility of a multiple threat crash. The Rapid Flashing LED Beacon should greatly improve the percentage of drivers who yield to pedestrians at

the crossing. The new location should be more in line with the direction students would be walking, encouraging students to use the crossing. Lighting should be provided at the crosswalk to improve visibility of pedestrians and the refuge island. Cost estimate: $50,000.

Figure 14: Above, new improvements (shown inred) and the projected turning path of a schoolbus (thin, black lines) to the intersection of NorthRidge Road and S Broadway Avenue.

Figure 15: Above, a Rapid Flashing LED Beacon flashes as a pedestrian clearsa crosswalk. Rapid Flashing LED Beacons have shown to be more effective atencouraging drivers to yield to pedestrians than simple signage, markings, or atraditional flashing beacon.


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• Construct a multi-use path between the Middle School and the Twin Wells mobile home park – Construct an 890 LF multi-use path between the mobile home park and the middle school, providing reasonable access to students who live in the park. The path will travel through a wooded area behind the middle school, almost completely on school property. The path will require lighting and a walking school bus should be used to help encourage students to use the path. Cost estimate: $105,000.

• Construct School Speed Limit Zone Flashers on North Ridge Road to improve awareness and compliance with the speed limit on the south side of the school when students are walking or bicycling to or from school. Cost estimate: $12,000.


• Construct a sidewalk connection between Toledo and Clifton avenues at E 48th Street – Construct a 310 LF sidewalk between Toledo and Clifton avenues at E 48th Street to permit students walk or bike between these two streets without trespassing on private property. The walk should be located using the right of way secured by the school district and township from local land owners. This project should include fencing or landscaping to encourage students to stay on the path. Cost estimate: $15,000

• Construct sidewalk on E 45th, E 46th, E 47th, and E 48th streets east of Durling Middle School – Construct a combined 4,750 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on E 45th Street between S Broadway and Clifton Avenue, and E 46th, E 47th, and E 48th streets between S Broadway and Toledo avenues. Cost estimate: $178,000.

• Construct sidewalk on Toledo and Clifton avenues east of Durling Middle School – Construct a combined 7,500 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on Toledo and Clifton avenues between Elyria Avenue and their southern termini. Cost estimate: $280,000.

• Construct sidewalk on E 44th, E 43rd, E 42nd, E 41st, and E 39th streets, and Jefferson Street north and east of Durling Middle School – Construct a combined 5,180 LF of sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on E 44th, E 43rd, E 42nd, and E 41st streets between S Broadway and Toledo avenues, E 39th Street between S Broadway and Denver avenues, and Jefferson Street west of S Broadway Avenue. Cost estimate: $193,000.

Long-Term (3-10 Years)

• Connect and construct sidewalk on neighborhood roads south of the school – Construct 8,640 LF sidewalk and necessary curb ramps on Clearview, Ashbolt, North, Cherrywood, Basswood, and Cottonwood drives, and Cooper Foster Park Road. This project would include using paths to connect Clearview and Ashbolt drives, and two disconnected sections of North Drive, one west of Cottonwood Drive, the other a block east on Cherrywood Drive. Cost estimate (excluding Right of Way costs): $325,000.


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• Connect neighborhoods north of Elyria Avenue to pedestrian infrastructure southwest of Elyria Avenue– Construct 5,500 LF sidewalk on Elyria Avenue, Clifton Avenue (north of Elyria Avenue), and on Dewitt and Harriet streets to provide pedestrian connections for students who live on those streets and improve connectivity for those who live north of E 39th Street. Pedestrian signal heads and push buttons should be added to the existing signalized intersection at Elyria and Toledo avenues (Figure 16). Cost estimate: $278,000

Figure 16: The signalized intersection at Elyria and Toledo avenues.Without pedestrian signal heads and push buttons, ramps andcrosswalks, this intersection is not very friendly to pedestrians. Studentswho live north and east of Elyria Avenue must cross the roadway to get toschool. This road is curvy road, 35 mph roadway and having a controlledcrosswalk would greatly benefit those who must cross it.


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References http://www.pedbikeimages.org

http://saferoutesinfo.org

2004, Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, AASHTO

1999, Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, AASHTO

2007, Location and Design Manual, Volume One, Roadway Design, ODOT

clearview local schools · donna spanski, administrative assistant ... clearview local schools...

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