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30 <br /> Behavioral Components of Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic Patterns <br /> There are approximately 5 Central Elementary students walking to school. On-site observations <br /> noted several elementary school pedestrians that walked from Hayes Street west of the school <br /> Field staff noted the following travel norms for Central Elementary: <br /> ♦ Motorist behavior was observed as fair. Drivers were respectful of pedestrians <br /> and other vehicles, but occasionally did not follow the rules. <br /> ♦ Crossing guards were present with a stop sign to let vehicles in and out. Police <br /> were also present to assist. <br /> ♦ In the afternoon queuing backs up in both directions past Foust Street and <br /> Spruce Street. <br /> ♦ Due to its proximity to Hillsborough Elementary School,there is potential for <br /> increased congestion along Hayes Street. <br /> ♦ Safety concerns include school buses passing without a passing lane during <br /> queuing. <br /> ♦ Vehicles will ignore signage restricting left turns out if there is no crossing guard. <br /> ♦ Some walkers were observed arriving from the back side of the school, Foust <br /> Street, Latimer Street, and Nash Street. <br /> ♦ Cyclists were observed coming from both directions along Hayes Street. <br /> Existing Infrastructure - Strengths <br /> The following observations were noted as existing system strengths: <br /> + There is sidewalk along the north side of Hayes Street from North Nash Street <br /> to Central Elementary School and a sidewalk along the west side of North Nash <br /> Street. <br /> + Pedestrian crossing signage is found along Hayes Street. <br /> + There are on-campus sidewalks along the building front, adjacent to the carpool <br /> drop-off line. <br /> + There are crosswalks at the intersection of N Nash Street and Hayes Street. <br /> Existing Infrastructure - Deficiencies <br /> There are multiple issues related to infrastructure deficiency and traffic issues that warrant <br /> improvement, create safety hazards, and prevent children from walking and cycling to <br /> school safely. Key weaknesses, barriers, and obstacles include the following: <br /> — There are no school zone markings along Hayes Street. <br /> — Sections of Hayes Street south of the school have narrow shoulders and overgrown <br /> vegetation, making it difficult for walking. <br /> — There are no sidewalks or sidewalk gaps found on adjacent roadways.There are no <br /> bicycles facilities found on adjacent roadways.Table 2.5 summarizes key locations where <br /> insufficient infrastructure creates barriers to pedestrians and bicyclists. <br /> Safe Routes to School <br /> Orange County,North Carolina 28 <br />