To: Joseph Rosenlund

City of Yakima, Washington Department of Public Works

Streets and Traffic Division
From: Iva Kilgren
Yakima resident and concerned parent
Subject: Recommendation Memo for School Zone Traffic Controls
Purpose:
The purpose of the research was to evaluate the school zone located at
Summitview Elementary in Yakima, WA. The school zone needs to be
evaluated at 3 intersections located on Chestnut Avenue, 63rd Avenue, 64th
Avenue, and 65th Avenue. The results of the research is provided in this
memo along with recommendations.
Summary:
Though I have no experience in public policy, city ordinances, or how to
address school zone traffic policies, my qualifications as a community
member and parent allow me to thoroughly research concerns of mine, my
neighbors, fellow parents, and community members. Attached is the
research proposal for safety concerns in an elementary school zone located
on a residential street in the City of Yakima. A survey has been administered
to local residents within a one-mile radius of the proposal area. To carry out
the research, I created a public opinion survey and spoke with local
residents, parents, and Summitview Elementary school employees. I also
looked into City of Yakima school zones laws and ordnances. Government
policy is explained for school zones and residential streets in the Washington
State Traffic Manual. Land should be surveyed to find optimal spots for safety
signs.
This memo should be used to help facilitate recommendations for possible
options on new school zone traffic control devices, signage, or markings. In
addition to the survey, I also have compiled a list of credible research studies
that have been performed across the country and internationally.
Introduction:
Pedestrian safety has been an ongoing problem in my neighborhood for
years. The road that is of concern has high foot and bike traffic. During the
school year there is even a greater risk of accidents, as there are a lot of
children and a lot more people in general, traveling through on foot and by
vehicle.
The research addressed driver and pedestrian safety in and around
Summitview Elementary school zone. The streets researched are near my
children's elementary school. There are children other than my own that also

live on these specified streets. There are students that attend the
elementary school in the research zone; there are parents that walk the area
when dropping off and picking up their children; and school staff that walk in
this potentially dangerous area. Many times throughout the day we have
observed people speeding down the residential road which is within a school
zone.
There has been an ongoing problem with school zone safety since 2009. The
local television station, KHQ, observed two school zones that did not meet
safety rules and regulations (KHQ NBC Right Now). Two school zones did not
have warning signals flashing until at least 10 minutes after school had let
out, this is the responsibility of the citys traffic department. Changes is
school zones have been a topic of discussion since these two incidences
have brought much attention to the public.
A review of City of Yakima Government policies on residential streets located
within a school zone revealed that there may be possible missing school
zone markings. Yakima school zone parameters and guidelines are described
by the Yakima Traffic and Safety Department. Information from City of Yakima
website provides information on safety designs for residential school zones
and it clearly defined school zone boundaries.
The increased safety will benefit drivers by reducing potential traffic
violations and accidents. The local pedestrians that frequently ride bikes,
walk, and jog in the neighborhood can feel more confident that they will be
seen by drivers. Parents, students, and school employees could have
additional walking zones and signals to allow drivers in the area adequate
time to slow down for school traffic.
Research Methods:
The methods of research included the following tasks:

I surveyed local residents within a 1-mile radius of Summitview school

zone, parents of students who attend, and staff who work at the
elementary school.

I Reviewed City of Yakima government policy as it pertains to

residential streets located within a school zone, and elementary school
zone policy.

I looked at previous studies from other locations on how to improve

school zone safety and which options where most successful in the
given school environment. I will use the studies as a base for
comparison. The studies I looked at were conducted in Issaquah, WA,
Alberta, Canada, China, Indonesia, and Utah. The previous research
collected studied, and evaluated the safety, traffic controls, signs, and

markings in a school zone. These case studies have been used in

scientific journals, US traffic commission, and National manuals for
Traffic Control Devices in China, Indonesia, Canada, and the U.S.

Results:
The residential survey shows a common concern of citizens as to the safety
of pedestrians located in the school zone of Summitview Elementary, Yakima,
WA 98908. Over 50% of drivers surveyed in school zone felt that the signage
was not placed well enough to give them adequate time to slow down for
school traffic. 63% stated that they have noticed they are driving over the
school zone speed limit when passing through Summitview Elementary
school zone. Drivers and pedestrians in this area had two main concerns,
that obstruction that the parking lot created, it is hard to see pedestrians and
school zone signals are not well placed. The other concern was the amount
of traffic that was caused at the end of the day. Many times the traffic caused
dangerous obstructions for thru traffic, drawing concern for both drivers and
pedestrians. Inadequate signs led to delays which can lead frustrated drivers
to speed through the school zone. Overall residents are concerned with how
traffic can be navigated within the school zone in question.
The findings from government policy research shows that there is a possible
breach in minimal required safety standards by the City of Yakima. There is a
lack of proper legally required street signage and markings within 300 feet of
the elementary school. There may be possible missing school zone markings
in other areas near the school.
Results from previous research studies range from receiving feedback from
drivers on what type of signs work best to alert them when there is a high
traffic area of children crossing. Other research shows statistics of drivers,
incidences involving pedestrians and drivers, and which School zone devices,
signs, and markings where most successful in reducing driver speed on
average. Road environment and traffic throughout the day need to be
factored in. The proposed school zone is located on an arterial road, this
means, more vehicle traffic driving on average at speeds higher than 30mph.
The road the school is located and nearby streets need to be examined and
analyzed for potential risk before and after school hour, when pedestrian
traffic is at its peak.
Conclusion:
There is a lack of driver awareness as to how many kids live in the area and
drivers need to err on the side of safety. There are no speed bumps, safety
signs, or warning signals that let drivers know that they are approaching a
school zone on the intersections of concern.

Washington State Traffic Manual provides information as to the inputs that

WSDOT provides for traffic safety. WSDOT is responsible for State wide traffic
policy development. The WSDOT have traffic engineers available to assess
local traffic. WSDOT is key in gathering necessary school zone traffic data.
Standards for traffic control for school areas detailing school area sign
positions, heights of signs, installation of signs, and colors of warning signs.
The information can be used to measure that the location of concern is up to
date with WSDOT traffic control standards.
There are areas where there is no clear notification to drivers when they
enter and exit the school zone located on the street under review. School
zone boundaries need to be clearly defined for drivers.
A review of previous research will determine what would be the most
effective way to reduce speeds in school zones. A study such as this has
been done in China, the findings showed that school environment and driver
knowledge on school zone laws can have an effect on the success of the
designs(Zhao,2016).
Recommendation:
I recommend the City of Yakima take a look at the follow previous cases that
have been conducted elsewhere to help consider how the city may want to
conduct their investigation into the Summitview school zone safety problem.

Field Evaluation of the Effect of Speed Monitoring Displays on Speed

Compliance in School Zones Article provided comparative research and
results of similar studies that need to be conducted in our local
neighborhood school zone. Speed monitoring devices(SMD) were set
up in four locations, during Sept. 2004 and April 2005 in a school zone
in Provo, UT. The SMD recorded traffic and displayed speeds of drivers
passing through the school zone. The results showed that the proper
signage and displays during school times helped reduce speeds. The
mean speed was reduced by 3mph in one zone, 4mph in one zone, and
there was a 40% reduction in speeds over 20 miles per hour. Similar
studies need to take place in my particular school zone and results
should be compare and evaluated to the Provo, UT results. In addition
to traffic data collection in Provo, UT, a public opinion survey was
administered. Drivers felt that there was a need to improve school
zone traffic controls. This study is designed in the format that should
be used in my neighborhood.

An evaluation of school zone signs and markings on speed reduction

was conducted in China. These studies were necessary, when this
study began Chinese had little knowledge on how school traffic devices

worked or how to install the equipment. Although China has its own
guidelines for school safety devices, but is inadequate due to its
vagueness (Zhao et al.). They reviewed printed information from
United States Part 7 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD) as a reference. The standards and principles were
incorporated into the Chinese school zone safety program. This study
looked at 17 different sign designs in two different locations and
determined the effectiveness of each. The success of each school zone
designed was partly affected by the road environment.
Land surveys will provide possible options for potential additions of
markings, signs, or signals to increase neighborhood and school zone safety.
Surveys should be administered by the city of Yakima. In addition, the city
should administer their own public opinion survey to parents of students and
school staff to gain their perspective of the current situation and potential
changes that may be made to increase safety for themselves and their
students.
Conduct a public opinion survey on driver sign awareness. This will identify
which signs would provide the best source of awareness for drivers to
recognize that they are in a school zone. The survey would be similar to one
used in a school zone traffic study done in China, where 17 different traffic
sign designs were used in two different representative schools (Zhao, 2016).
I appreciate the time the citizens have taken to complete the survey and the
time the City of Yakima Streets and Traffic Division has taken to consider this
matter. If there is any more evidence I can provide to compel the city of
Yakima to look into the Summitview school zone problem I am requesting the
opportunity to do so.

Citations:
Ash, Kelly G., and Mitsuru Saito. Field Evaluation of the Effect of Speed
Monitoring Displays on Speed Compliance in School Zones. Applications of
Advanced Technology in Transportation (2006): 780786. Print.
KHQ NBC Right Now. Are school zones making a difference? NBC Right
Now. 20 Nov. 2009. Web. 1 Oct. 2016.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices. Ed. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 2009th ed. N.p.: U.S,
Department of Transportation, 2009. Originally Printed. 1 Oct. 2016.
Accessed from Web. http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/part7.pdf
Washington State Department of Transportation. Traffic Manual Washington
State Department of Transportation. (2016). Web. 1 Oct. 2016
Zhao, Xiaohua, et al. Evaluation of the Effects of School Zone Signs and
Markings on Speed Reduction: A Driving Simulator Study. SpringerPlus 5.1
(2016): n.pag. Web.