Bill Text: HI HR134 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Pedestrian Activated Crosswalk Signals; Statewide Installation

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-16 - Referred to TRN, FIN, referral sheet 33 [HR134 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-HR134-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	134
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING the State department of transportation and respective counties to work together for statewide Installation and implementation of pedestrian activated signals for crosswalks.

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has had too many deaths and tragic injuries of pedestrians struck in crosswalks; and

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii has an average of twenty-eight pedestrian fatalities and approximately five hundred sixty pedestrian injuries per year, and has the fourth highest pedestrian fatality rate in the United States; and

 

     WHEREAS, pedestrian crosswalk safety is such a pervasive community issue that in 2008, the University of Hawaii published a study titled "Modeling Violation of Hawaii’s Crosswalk Law" to analyze the issue; and

 

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii study "Modeling Violation of Hawaii’s Crosswalk Law" found that proportionately more drivers than pedestrians violate the crosswalk law, with the most common violation being not stopping for pedestrians who are in the crosswalk, followed by stopping but continuing to proceed before the pedestrian has left the crosswalk; and

 

     WHEREAS, Act 54, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, requires the state Department of Transportation and related county departments to ensure the accommodation of all users of the road, regardless of their age, ability, or mode of transportation, and established the Complete Streets Task Force(CSTF) to review existing road design standards and guidelines; and

 

     WHEREAS, the CSTF recommended that concerning the topic of crosswalk markings, there should be a pedestrian activated signal or warning activation for mid-block crossings that cross four or more lanes; and

 

     WHEREAS, the current pilot projects involving pedestrian activated signalized crosswalks require a considerable amount of community dissemination for pedestrians, drivers, and law enforcement agencies implementing pedestrian right-of-way laws; and

 

     WHEREAS, drivers are not automatically tested following changes in crosswalk law; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii crosswalk law was made stricter to raise awareness of pedestrians and appears to be working, but legislation is not a complete solution; now; therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that this body hereby requests the state Department of Transportation and respective counties to work together for statewide installation and implementation of pedestrian activated signals for crosswalks; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that crosswalks with a higher incidence of pedestrian injuries or fatalities are requested to be prioritized for pedestrian activated signals and lighting improvements; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation to the Legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, and the respective mayors, council chairs, and chiefs of police of Hawaii County, the City and County of Honolulu, Kauai County, and Maui County.

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Pedestrian Activated Crosswalk Signals; Statewide Installation