Power, Pride and Pedestrians
I could be handed the keys to the City of Tacoma, but the feeling of it could not rival the sense of pride and recognition I experience when pressing the crosswalk flasher light on 6th Avenue at the S. Junett Street intersection. In doing so, I stop traffic, not to save a baby or to pursue a fleeing criminal, but so that I can jog around the UPS campus. I understand you may need to hurry home to pee or feed your kids, but I can’t be expected to jog in my own neighborhood. Come now, let’s be reasonable!
There are crosswalk flasher lights in other cities I’ve resided in, but they are not the same. Only a person with nothing to lose crosses Hollywood Boulevard at a flasher-light crosswalk. I never took my chances against four lanes teeming with angry (and often confused) drivers unless I did so at an intersection controlled by actual “red-yellow-green” traffic lights. I didn’t want to get run over and make someone late for an audition.
I’m sure there is a small chance that someday, someone will be talking excitedly about the hot Kravitz remix bumping at Masa, fail to notice the flashing yellow light, and mow me down like a possum. But I press that button almost every day of the week, and have never once experienced a close call — quite the opposite, in fact.
At least 70% of the time, the crosswalk flasher lights on 6th and Junett (installed in early 2009) bring out a delightful politeness in Tacoma drivers. I cannot count how many times I’ve seen drivers mouth the words “I’m sorry” to me as I cross — even though they came to a full and complete stop for my dog and me. Many could have reasonably continued through the intersection and let cars with more adequate notice come to a stop. But they halt dutilfully, almost as if atoning for previous sins against pedestrians, or perhaps as if the flashing lights were expression of my misgivings regarding their alertness.
These reactions betray a striking attitude toward the pedestrian: The drivers are not shocked that the pedestrian is using the street, but that they did not detect it sooner. It is natural – of course the pedestrian belongs on this street, commingling with cars in a busy atmosphere of commerce. These drivers don’t see me as a trespasser.
As Tacoma grows into its plans for high-density and thriving districts, this symbiosis between driver and pedestrian will become an ever more important element of our culture. In my personal experience, I encounter at least 10 drivers every week who are already prepared. Are your experiences as a pedestrian in Tacoma largely positive? As a driver, do you feel that pedestrian crossings like the one at 6th and Junett create unnecessary traffic disruption?
NEXT WEEK: Luring Hollywood — Will James Cameron Film Avatar 2 in Tacoma?
Filed under: General
24 comments
J Jenyum June 24, 2010
No, I am all for them. One is desperately needed at Wright Park, where pedestrians often cross I (or is it Yakima there?) to get to Tacoma General. There’s a corner with a wheelchair dip that pedestrians choose as a natural crossing point, but cars park next to it and you often can’t see the pedestrians until you are driving by, feeling guilty. One of these days a pedestrian in a hurry is going to be struck.
There are also several points along Yakima between 6th and 25th where there aren’t lights but there are corners and pedestrians waiting to cross. I have had drivers pass me on the right more than a few times on Yakima/I/21st while I was waiting for a pedestrian.
R RR Anderson June 24, 2010
When cars park on top the cross walk I like to use the hood of their car as a hand rail. Cars are really bad about pedestrians near the library. Old people drivers are the worst. Pierce Transit buses are also horrible about cutting off pedestrians halfway through the cross walk… and then stop so you gotta walk way around the freakin’ bus.
That said, whenever I see Masa I think ‘tickle fights’
D DavidS June 24, 2010
I’ve got to note the two additional ones I’ve seen going in on 6th Avenue and N. 21st St. The 21st St. one is very much needed as there is no lighted crossing within 1/4 mile. 6th Ave probably makes sense due to the heavy pedestrian use.
Y You're Welcome June 24, 2010
It’s the free right turns. Folks taking that right are so focused on trying to beat any traffic that they fail to look to the right for pedestrians (who have the walk sign). Just a couple of cops out ticketing for that every-so-often would correct the oblivious free right turning driver. I think!
J jenyum June 24, 2010
That spot by Wright Park is actually three streets: S 3rd, 4th, and 5th. These are pretty busy crossings especially at lunch time when a lot of TG employees seem to migrate to and from the park. A lighted crossing at at least one of these streets would really help, and/or limiting parking within close proximity to the crossing.
J jamie from thriceallamerican June 24, 2010
I think more of these crossings would be great (and presumably cheap). But we also need to convince the city to rethink the “normal” crossing signals so that pedestrians get minimal wait times and longer crossing times (e.g., none of this crap where the cross signal goes solid red in advance of the corresponding traffic light turning yellow). I think shorter light cycles in general would go a long way towards addressing this.
S Sally June 25, 2010
I applaud the city of Tacoma & ST. Joseph Medical Center for the pedestrian improvements at 19th & J, and adding an extra crosswalk where there are so many pedestrians on J street. The near misses have been reduced with a noticeable increase in respect between motorists and pedestrians. Both can safely co-exist.
T Tacoma1 June 25, 2010
I am constantly walking around T-town myself. We are fortunate that our city was built on a grid system. It’s so easy to walk here. Just try walking around the suburbs (Gig Harbor, So Hill Puyallup) you won’t be able to get far on foot in culdesac land.
l will have to remember that flashing lighted crosswalk as I am over that way frequently. I too would love to see more of these around our city.
A Altered Chords June 25, 2010
@11 – Grid? Technically I guess downtown has a grid. But look at d.t. Olympia. That’s a real grid. Retail/restaurants/bars/coffee shops/theatre all within the grid. Downtown tacoma is a patchwork – restaurants on pacific, theatres up the hill, no retail unless you want persian rugs or toys.
We need more people and more retail downtown.
In the meantime, my trips to downtown will be to: Villa Cafe, Amocat, Harmon Hub (not really downtown) All my other shopping in Tacoma will be to the shoppers mecca: Costco. (no flashing ped crosswalk required there)
J Jake June 25, 2010
I agree with Jenyum on the the South 21st and Yakima Ave. needing a crosswalk. I walked to and from work, Downtown, for over 6 months and crossed there and NOT ONCE did someone stop for me. Not to mention there is an elementary school 1 block away.
R RR Anderson June 25, 2010
South Anderson and 19th could really use a cross walk. JayWalking across busy 19th to get to the bus stop is hell. If this was Seattle and I was a African American teenage girl, i’d be punched in the face by a policeman by now.
M Mattmike June 25, 2010
Jake – I actually spoke with the city about putting a cross – walk in at the intersection of 21st and Yakima (I cross there everyday) and was informed that they CAN’T put in a cross walk because it’s too close to a school. I repeat – the busy intersection is TOO CLOSE to a school to put in a cross walk. Their reasoning (any crosswalks that close to a school must be manned by a crossing guard during school hours) makes sense, but it’s also ridiculous. What’s better – and intersection without a crosswalk or crossing guard, or an intersection with a cross walk but without a crossing guard?
I’ll quote the city planners here:“For the safety of students, the City of Tacoma only installs school crosswalks at locations where there is either an adult or student crossing guard. According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, these crosswalks must have a school advance sign, school speed limit sign, school crossing sign, and an end school zone sign or speed limit sign for each direction of travel approaching the crosswalk.
The School District each May provides the City with a list of adult crossing guard locations. Because these locations rarely change, we are able to schedule the annual repainting of these crosswalks and verify the proper signing. Principals can also make the request to add or remove a crosswalk location along their designated Safe Walking Route, as long as they provide a crossing guard. For this specific location, it would be extremely important to have an adult crossing guard. As you know, Yakima is a major arterial.
If there has been a change in student walking route patterns, it may be helpful to talk with the McCarver principal to discuss the need for a change to their route and addition of a crossing guard. Although the crosswalk request forms are due in May, we’d be happy to work with the school on mid year changes (pending weather).”
R RR Anderson June 25, 2010
in a world where pedestrians and auto-machines are equal, it seems that auto-machines are more equal than others.
or
Crosswalk Catch 22
A Altered Chords June 25, 2010
We need adult crossing guards at every intersection in Tacoma. Either that or police that punch people or shoot at cars when they violate the rules.
Or how about the corny puyallup solution near the library where you pick up a bright orange flag and carry it across the street with you.
Or, maybe just ditch the whole thing and learn to look both ways and run if needed.
J Jenyum June 25, 2010
@mattmike
Wow. It never ceases to amaze me, the way the schools with the least resources are denied resources because they don’t have resources.
Really? Nobody can do anything about that? Anybody?
R RR Anderson June 25, 2010
Mayor Strickland ran on a platform of education? Maybe she can do something.
R rainlover June 27, 2010
@7
I think more of these crossings would be great (and presumably cheap).
Our neighborhood group looked into having a flashing crosswalk put in at 6th and “G” to help with crossing from Wright park to the bus stop. We were told it would be just under 50 grand! I too would like to see more of these but at that price I doubt we will.
T tacoma1 June 28, 2010
I’m thinking that crosswalks by the hospitals are an unnecessary expense. Afterall, the emergency room is so close………. we could just consider it job security for ER workers.
J jb June 29, 2010
Personally, I hate this thing, along with its sibling on Tacoma Ave in Stadium. These are what, one block from an intersection with a stoplight?
If you’re the nervous type, walk a block and cross with the signal. If you’re in a hurry, look both ways and cross. There simply isn’t enough impetus here to justify creating a random traffic disturbance on what are already congested streets.
H Heather June 29, 2010
I’d like to see more. It would be nice if they could also be configured to help bikes get across the intersection.
C captiveyak June 29, 2010
Re: Bicycle use of ped crossings –
I’ve noticed that the orientation of the buttons makes it difficult as a cyclist to activiate a signal (even at a standard light), as the button is placed parallel to the direction of travel. In LA and Denver, the buttons are placed perpendicular to the direction of travel. Minor irritation, but it was confusing to get accustomed to.
A Altered Chords June 29, 2010
Yak: Better pay attention to traffic laws. The cops in Seattle punch people that jaywalk. Tacoma cops are even tougher.
L Laura July 1, 2010
I was driving down 21st on the evening of June 29th and unfortunately came up on an accident scene where a car hit a pedestrian outside of Source Yoga. I have been searching to see if the pedestrian is okay, but can’t find anything. It was only a few years ago I saw a similar scene on N. 21st where a child was hit by a car. Something must be done to ensure pedestrian safety along N. 21st.
M MASTERblaster July 1, 2010
I never cross streets because of poor drivers. I just drive everywhere. I figure my Suburban is big enough to protect me from anything but an 18 wheeler.