Oh Broadway & Clinton/Oak Street in Dobbs Ferry - always a willing participant to provide documentation for this quest to make our streets safer.

Problem(s): This intersection is a doozie! So, based on the above experience I want to review some of the issues at this particular intersection and then apply some suggested solutions.

The Jogging Jeweler

| The OCA, Dobbs Ferry |

The Old Croton Aqueduct, running smack through the middle of Hastings, Dobbs, and Irvington and onwards, it is a New York State Park and has National Historic Landmark Status.

Problem: As seen in the video above, the OCA practically vanishes as it passes through Dobbs Ferry. There are no signs to suggest which way it may continue, as a pedestrian one assumes to continue onward traversing streets, through a parking lot, and an alley. There are NO crosswalks throughout downtown Dobbs Ferry to suggest that this trail, State Park technically speaking, is passing through and/or is a heavily used passage by dog-walkers, moms pushing strollers, runners, bikers, and local students.

Solution: There are several solutions for this issue. However I am going to identify two that can be easily tackled by the village to better identify the OCA as it crosses five of our downtown streets:

1. Place signage on Cedar Street that reads - Pedestrian Zone. This is will identify to the drivers of vehicles that pedestrians have the right of way, that they as drivers are to expected to drive slowly and use caution.
2. 5 Crosswalks on Cedar, Oak, Elm, Chestnust, & Walnut. In the exact spots that the OCA crosses our village roads. While the village has no ability to change the OCA (it is owned by NY state) it is completely within our village's rights and abilities to properly label, and create safe passages on our streets for pedestrians. 

Did you know?

1. The cost of striped crosswalks range from approximately $100 to 2,100 each, or on average approximately $7 per square foot. A high visibility crosswalk can range from $600 to $5,700 each, or around $2,500 on average.

- Pedestrian & Bicycle Info Center

 

The Jogging Jeweler

| 1st Hastings-On-Hudson Edition |

Running along Broadway, to Hastings-On-Hudson went better than other runs thus far. Our route had sidewalks, crosswalks, good sight lines for seeing traffic which means few blind spots. This route was chosen as warmer weather melted the snow and the OCA was too muddy for this stroller pushing momma. However - the run was not necessarily smoother.

Problem: Hastings-On-Hudson has curbs... lots of curbs. The photo demonstrates at least six, including ones coming in and out of the local high school - what happened to being handicap accessible? I caught seven in my footage, however knowing what the Old Croton Aqueduct is like through Hastings [think bigger curbs] I speculate there may be more curbs that were not captured in this footage. 

Solution: According to Complete Streets -

Streets that are truly “complete” provide all of us with a choice of mobility options. They allow everyone to travel to and from work, school, and other destinations with the same level of safety and convenience, whether or not they have mobility, vision, or cognitive disabilities.

Complete Streets also help people who are coping with temporary disabilities as well as those pushing strollers, pulling wheeled luggage, or managing large packages. Complete Streets policies provide flexibility to transportation professionals and give them room to be creative in developing solutions that promote accessible travel. Operating under a policy can prompt a deeper analysis and encourage them to work with community members with disabilities.

In roadway design, Complete Streets means attention to details at intersections, such as installing curb ramps, audible or tactile signals for blind pedestrians, and/or providing longer crossing times; along pedestrian routes by providing smooth sidewalks free of obstacles...

 

In this series of videos, we capture Broadway for what it is to pedestrians  - an obstacle course - one that requires weaving in and out of large trees, holes, telephone poles, with curb-less sidewalks so narrow that a stroller does not fit. Not to mention the portion of sidewalk in such dis-repair that the curb looks like crumbling cookie and has begun to eat away at the sidewalk itself.

The Jogging Jeweler

| Crossing Broadway 2.18 |

The crosswalk at the corner of Clinton/Oak & Broadway in Dobbs Ferry, NY has its issues. Traffic coming from multiple directions, a blind hill, vehicles that park illegally, drivers going around vehicles stopped for pedestrians - a lot going on for pedestrians and drivers.

Problem: Before I am even at the crosswalk there is already a pedestrian waiting to cross. By the time I arrive SIX vehicles have passed, vehicle number 7 stops to allow us to cross, however vehicle number 8 does not seem to be slowing down in time to stop. The vehicle does eventually stop, however this is a frequent scene at this particular intersection.

Problem: Vehicles park illegally, blocking a pedestrians view of oncoming traffic. Shortened distances of line of sight cause pedestrians to inch further into the intersection to see and result in not having enough time to see and cross safely.

Suggested Solution(s):

1. Enforcement of crosswalks, parking, stop signs, and "don't block the box" at this intersection.
2. A flashing light for pedestrians to push when they're crossing.
3. Moving the crosswalk, in line with the front of South Church, so pedestrians & vehicles can see each other better.
4. A turn lane for vehicles turning left onto Clinton or Right onto Oak
5. Oak being one way, down to Main St., to eliminate the left and/or right turns off of Oak St.
6. A street light on the corner of Oak and Broadway, this portion of the intersection is impossible to see at night.

The Jogging Jeweler

| Mercy College |

On today's run we witness what is a frequent sighting in the Rivertowns - pedestrians frantically crossing Broadway because it lacks crosswalks or has long wait times, as well as a rolling stop at the intersection of Cedar & Main St.

8 cars passed without stopping as I inched further and further out into the road. The 9th car finally stopped to let me cross. This is the intersection of Broadway and Clinton/Oak in Dobbs Ferry.