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Arlington Bl Safe Routes to School, Pedestrian Safety Public Works Department – Engineering Division 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 215-4382 – FAX (510) 233-5401 www.el-cerrito.org March 26, 2013 PEDESTRIAN SAFETY INFORMATION Arlington Boulevard at Madera and Brewster Drives Safe Routes to School Safety Improvements The City of El Cerrito, Public Works Department would like to share some important information regarding the Arlington Boulevard Safe Routes to School Safety Improvements Project. Please see below for additional information about the project and soon to be installed flashing crosswalk lights. Project Description This project is planned to improve safety for pedestrians, including students, walking to and from Madera Elementary School and across Arlington Boulevard. The project consists of the following specific improvements: o Curb bulb-outs, curb ramps and sidewalk improvements at the uncontrolled crosswalks on Arlington Drive at Madera and Brewster Drives; o New in-pavement flashing lights with pedestrian push buttons, enhanced pedestrian crosswalk warning signs with special flashing beacons, and advanced flashing beacons for the crosswalk at Madera Drive; and o Enhanced pedestrian and traffic signing, striping and pavement markings at both intersections. New Flashing Crosswalk Lights One of the improvements to the crosswalk at Madera Drive is the installation of a flashing crosswalk system. This new system is intended to provide additional visual cues to drivers that a pedestrian is preparing to cross or already crossing the street. The flashing yellow lights in particular warn drivers to slow down and prepare to yield to possible crosswalk users. The flashing crosswalk system includes warning lights embedded in the roadway pavement, roadside signs with rectangular flashing beacons, flashing beacons located in advance of the crosswalk, and “Yield” pavement markings and signs. A similar system is shown in the picture to the right. Warning Light Roadside sign ---PAGE BREAK--- Arlington Bl Safe Routes to School, Pedestrian Safety The flashing lights and beacons are only activated when a pedestrian pushes the button located on the sidewalk next to the crosswalk. It is important to be aware that although the system gives a warning to drivers regarding the presence of pedestrians, it does not serve as a “stop sign” or “red light.” Pedestrians must still use caution when crossing the street, and must not assume that vehicles will stop. Please review the next page for tips on walking safely. As a driver, remember you are always required to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk whether there are flashing lights or not. The “Yield” pavement markings at the flashing crosswalks (also known as “shark’s teeth”) indicate the point behind which vehicles must yield to crossing pedestrians or vehicles. These markings consist of a row of solid white triangles pointing toward approaching vehicles and extending across the approach lane. [In contrast, the point behind which vehicles must come to a complete stop in compliance with a stop sign or red light is indicated by a solid, white line extending across the approach lane.] You may have seen these markings elsewhere in El Cerrito as they have been previously installed at a mid-block crosswalk on Colusa Avenue behind El Cerrito High School (photo to right), the median areas of Moeser Lane and two crosswalks on San Pablo Avenue. For More Information We would like to thank you for your patience during construction of this project. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Yvetteh Ortiz, the City’s Engineering Manager, at [EMAIL REDACTED] or (510) 215-4345.