HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

110

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting a study of state and county intersections to determine whether traffic signals provide sufficient time for elderly pedestrians to cross the street.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, in 2004 SMS Research & Marketing Services, Inc., prepared the Elderly Pedestrian Integration Report for the Department of Transportation (DOT) that indicated that there are approximately 560 pedestrian injuries in Hawaii each year, and that an average of 28 pedestrians die each year after being struck by a car; and

 

     WHEREAS, in the first few months of 2007, Oahu has already experienced ten pedestrian fatalities, compared to four fatalities for the same time period in 2006, an over two-fold increase that is a cause of major concern for all the people of Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, elderly pedestrians, age 65 and older, constituted the highest number of pedestrian fatalities when compared to all other age groups in Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's pedestrian fatality rate for elderly pedestrians is 169 percent higher than any other state in the nation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the length of time a flashing indication (hand symbol) is displayed at signalized crosswalks is calculated based on the length of the crosswalk and the nationally recognized average walking speed of pedestrians; and

 

     WHEREAS, elderly pedestrians need more time to cross major intersections due to diminishing physical abilities and, considering that an elderly pedestrian generally crosses the street at a slower walking speed, limited timeframes to cross the street safely put elderly pedestrians at risk; and

 

     WHEREAS, a recent "walkability survey" of many of Hawaii's busiest streets and intersections conducted by the AARP Hawaii staff, volunteers, and community partners, identified many intersections where the timeframes to cross the street safely were too short, especially for elderly and very young pedestrians; and

 

     WHEREAS, the length of a flashing indication should be sufficient for elderly pedestrians to cross the street safely and Hawaii's elderly pedestrians should not have to rush to cross the street; and

 

     WHEREAS, problem intersections and roadways need to be quickly identified and any problems corrected so that pedestrian safety for all of Hawaii's residents and visitors, especially the elderly, disabled, and very young, can be improved; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that DOT is requested to conduct a study, in conjunction with each county, to identify state and county intersections where the time to cross the intersection may be insufficient for pedestrians to cross, especially elderly and disabled pedestrians; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study also include the impact that lengthening the pedestrian walk-times will have on current traffic volumes and congestion, along with remedies to alleviate negative effects of the lengthening of pedestrian walk-times; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOT submit an interim report, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008 and a final report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and


     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Directors of DOT and the transportation departments of each county.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Requesting DOT to conduct a study, in conjunction with the counties, of whether or not crosswalk times are sufficient for elderly pedestrians.