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68 <br /> The following pages highlight the data collected pertaining to the strengths and weaknesses of <br /> the existing pedestrian environment for River Park Elementary.A campus map showing bicycle <br /> and pedestrian crashes, existing infrastructure, school zone signage, key crossing IDs, and photo <br /> IDs is included in Figure 2.18.An overview map showing the bicycle and pedestrian crashes, <br /> existing infrastructure, a 20-minute walking radius, and a 10-minute biking radius is included in <br /> Figure 2.19. <br /> Behavioral Components of Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic Patterns <br /> There are approximately 25-30 students walking or cycling to school. On-site observations noted <br /> 24 students walking to school mainly from Lydia Lane. A few students walked from St Marys Road <br /> west of the school. Field staff noted the following travel norms for River Park Elementary: <br /> ♦ Motorist behavior was observed as fair. School traffic was respectful of other <br /> drivers but did not always yield to pedestrians. <br /> ♦ In the morning, traffic is backed up moderately in both directions.There is a high <br /> volume of school traffic. <br /> ♦ In the afternoon, traffic is backed up significantly in both directions. Some <br /> through traffic passes in the left lane from both directions,while some through <br /> traffic waits in the car line. Some through traffic turns down Lydia Lane and E <br /> Tryon Street to avoid waiting in the queue. <br /> ♦ Due to the long queues on St. Marys Road, several dangerous maneuvers were <br /> witnessed during the observation period. One car was observed turning left out <br /> of the school while families were crossing the crosswalk.Vehicles were observed <br /> turning out of the school while traffic is going by on St Marys Road. Multiple <br /> vehicles were observed making a U-turn on St. Marys Road to get out of the <br /> school carpool line. <br /> ♦ Most of the 24 students that walked to school came from from Lydia Lane and <br /> 3-4 families walked from the west along St Marys Road. Families were observed <br /> using the crosswalk to cross St Marys Road. <br /> ♦ Traffic backs up into the crosswalk during the morning and afternoon, which <br /> limits the line of sight for pedestrians, creating safety concerns. <br /> ♦ A sheriff was observed directing traffic and serving as crossing guard in the <br /> morning.The sheriff did not arrive until 7:33AM after several students had already <br /> walked to school. A sheriff directed traffic in the afternoon but did not assist with <br /> pedestrians crossing. <br /> Existing Infrastructure - Strengths <br /> River Park Elementary's location near downtown Hillsborough makes it a prime <br /> location for students to walk or bicycle to school.The following observations were <br /> noted as existing system strengths: <br /> + Clear school zone and pedestrian crossing signage is found along St Marys Road. <br /> + There are on-campus sidewalks along the building front and side.There is a <br /> small section of sidewalk along St Marys Road at the school front. <br /> + There is a crosswalk with crossing signage across St. Marys Road at the <br /> intersection with Lydia Lane. <br /> + neighborhood roads. <br /> + There is no through traffic on Corporate Drive or Meadowlands Drive making <br /> these roads safer for walking. <br /> Safe Routes to School <br /> Orange County,North Carolina 66 <br />