[RP TownTalk] 410 pedestrian crosswalk, median near Beale Circle

[Fred Holcomb]

Dwight, Vern,
Thanks for the responses. They were very informative!  It's a relief to
hear that these two areas are already on the town's radar. I also wasn't
aware that the state was responsible for 410 and its related issues.

Regarding the crosswalk, it should, at least, be equiped with some warning
lights. A quick google search returned the following example from Seattle:
http://www.streetfilms.org/seattle-crosswalk-tap-foot-lights-blink-cross-street/

I've seen others that are initiated by the pedestrian pressing a button on
either side as well. Anything, really, to provide more visibility to the
pedestrians and provide visual clues that drivers need to stop.

Best,
Fred

On Sat, Jan 26, 2013 at 12:22 PM, Vernon Archer <varcher at gmail.com> wrote:

> Fred,
>
> You put your finger right on a nightmare crosswalk at 58th and SH 410 that
> is, just barely, within town boundaries. This last December one of my
> students was in fact hit by an automobile while she was walking home.
> Miraculously she not only survived but is back in school, and almost back
> to normal.
>
> I've tried to use this near tragedy to galvanize State Highway to study
> this entire intersection and take more control of this problem area.  I
> believe that the intersection needs a traffic light, but State ultimately
> will decide.  We are in the mean time trying to step up police presence in
> the area and are looking at several other short term alternatives to reduce
> the threat of injury or death there.
>
> Regarding the median cut just west of the bridge on 410, Dwight's
> assessment is right on target--let me emphasize we are also in conversation
> with State Highway about real concerns that this has the potential to lead
> to tragedy.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Vern
>
> On Sat, Jan 26, 2013 at 10:58 AM, Dwight Holmes <dwightrholmes at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Fred, others can speak with actual authority but I will share what I have
>> learned about the Beale Circle/410 situation.  Apparently the cut in the
>> median was made for emergency vehicles.  As you say, though, others are
>> making use of it which is extremely dangerous.  I wrote the State Highway
>> Admin about it and got a prompt reply that they will check it out. That's
>> been a couple of weeks now.  I believe that our town officials have also
>> asked for a fix to the problem as well.
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 7:52 AM, Fred Holcomb <fred.j.holcomb at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Since we're discussing road issues around town, I thought I throw in a
>>> few of my own.
>>>
>>> Is the crosswalk across 410 east of Kenilworth Ave. under Riverdale Park
>>> jurisdiction?  (Sorry if that's a dumb question -- I'm fairly new around
>>> here.) If so, I'm wondering if there's ever been any enforcement there. God
>>> forbid anyone try to actually use it. Traffic on 410 will absolutely not
>>> stop for pedestrians there.  I once slowed to allow a pedestrian to cross
>>> and was almost rear-ended immediately.  The cars in the other lanes didn't
>>> slow at all.  To avoid causing an accident, I sheepishly continued through
>>> the crosswalk.  The pedestrian smartly remained safely waiting on the
>>> median.
>>>
>>> Also, there is a cut in the median in 410 near Beale Circle.  Does
>>> anyone know the purpose of this?  I see many folks using it to turn left
>>> onto Beale Circle from the westbound lanes of 410.  For a while in the
>>> recent past, there were cones on the median blocking these left turns, but
>>> those have since disappeared.  At the end of the day, are these left turns
>>> legal?
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> Fred
>>>
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>>
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>>
>
>
> --
> Vernon Archer, Mayor
> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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