OR 90-487 School Zone Traffic Control Guildline AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS
ORDINANCE NO. 90487
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS, AMENDING SEC. 8-1-5
OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF COPPELL ADOPTING SCHOOL
ZONE TRAFFIC CONTROL GUIDELINES; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. AMENDING SECTION 8-1-5 OF CITY CODE
Sec. 8-1-5 of Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Coppell is
hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 8-1-5 SCHOOL ZONE TRAFFIC CONTROL GUIDELINES
That certain publication entitled "School Zone Traffic Control Guidelines 1990"
attached as Exhibit "A" to Ordinance No. 90- (this ordinance) is hereby adopted
for use by the City of Coppell as a guideline in establishing uniformity in procedures,
materials, and application of Traffic Control Devices in the school zone areas of the
City and establishing school crossing control criteria. To the extent practicable, all
school zones maintained within the City shall be maintained in accordance with the
adopted guidelines.
SECTION 2. REPEALING CLAUSE
All parts of ordinances, inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this
ordinance are hereby repealed.
Page 1
SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If any article, paragraph or subdivision, clause or provision of this ordinance
shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity
of this ordinance as a whole or any part or provision thereof, other than the part so
decided to be invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect immediately from and after its passage as the
law in such cases provides.
(/ y . 1990.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: ~
· ' CITY/SECRgRY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CO90_10EITY ~
Page 2
SCHOOL ZON
TRAFFIC CONTROL
GUIDELINES
1990
2'The City With=2 ~eeautiful Future
EXHIBIT "A"
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I: Introduction 1
Section II: Conformance of Traffic Control Devices 1
Section III: Development of a Safe School Route Plan 1
Section IV: School Zone Signs 2
1. School Advance Zone
2. School Crossing Sign
3. School Speed Zone Signs
Section V: School Crossing Control Criteria 3
Section VI: Variance Clause 3
Section VII: Crosswalks 4
Section VIII: Reduced School Speed Zones 5
Section IX: Flasher Assemblies 11
Section X: Priority Criteria for Crossing Guards
References 11
Section XI: School Parking Prohibitions &
Restrictions 14
Section XI I: School One-Way Streets 15
REFERENCES 16
CITY OF COPPELL
School Zone Traffic Control Guidelines
I. Introduction
This guideline has been prepared to establish uniformity
in procedures, materials, and application of Traffic
Control Devices in the school areas of the City of
Coppell. Traffic Control in school zones is a very
sensitive topic. Research and analysis of school areas
often show that at many locations, school crossing
controls requested by parents, teachers and other
citizens are unnecessary, costly, and tend to lessen the
respect for traffic control devices that are warranted.
It is, therefore, important to stress the point that
regardless of the school location, safe and effective
traffic control can best be obtained through the uniform
application of realistic policies, practices, and
standards developed through engineering studies.
II. Conformance of Traffic Control Devices
Existing devices within Coppell's school zones may not
conform to the policies established in this guideline
because of prior administrative guidelines or due to the
existing geometric design and land use constraints.
The City, to the extent possible, will attempt to revise
existing devices to be in accordance with the policies
stated in this guideline.
III. Development of a Safe School Route Plan
The first step in an effective school safety program is
the development of a designated School Route Plan (SRP).
The plan should depict: (1) streets in school boundary
area; (2) the school; (3) existing traffic controls; and
(4) the proposed school routes to be used by children.
In general, the school route plan should be designed to
provide maximum protection for the children by utilizing
the protection already provided by existing traffic
control devices. In some cases, this concept will
require children to walk longer distances to avoid
potential hazards. Convenience will never be considered
paramount to pedestrian safety.
1
Once the plan has been adopted by the City of Coppell,
it is the responsibility of the respective school
officials to introduce the designated school route plan
to the school children with clear instructions as to its
purpose and use. Follow-up field checks should be
conducted along the school routes to assure their proper
usage and to uncover any existing or future defects. It
is suggested that an annual review of the routes by
either school officials or parent-teacher groups, in
cooperation with city officials, be undertaken before
the beginning of a new school year to determine the need
for possible modifications.
IV. School Zone Signs
The standard types of school signs used by the City of
Coppell conform to the accepted standards described in
the Traffic Control Devices handbook and the 1980 Texas
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) for
Streets and Highways. The following are some of the
traffic control devices used in school areas:
1. SCHOOL ADVANCE SIGN (Si-1) As shown in Figure 1, is
intended for use in advance of designated school
crossings, established school speed reduction zones,
and school building property. The School Advance,
as per Texas MUTCD, "shall be erected not less than
150 feet nor more than 700 feet in advance of the
school grounds or school crossing".
2. SCHOOL CROSSING SIGN (S2-1) As shown in Figure 1, is
designed for use at established school crossings.
This sign should only be used at crossings adjacent
to school property and those on established routes
to school. [This sign is not installed at crossings
controlled by a signal or a stop sign. ]
School Advance Sign School Crossing Sign
FIGURE - I
3. SCHOOL SPEED ZONE SIGNS - These signs will be in
compliance with Texas MUTCD and are posted in
advance of the school crossing sign or as close to
the school property line as possible when a
crosswalk does not directly affect the distance.
NOTE: The length of school speed zones should be
determined based upon the condition of the area.
This is because when a zone is too long, drivers
become impatient or forget about the zone and
speed up, causing a greater danger to the
pedestrian. If the zone is at its minimum,
there will be a greater chance of maximum
compliance. An ordinance on the school speed
limit must be approved by the Mayor and City
Council for it to be enforced.
V. School Crossinq Control Criteria:
Alternate gaps and blockages are formed in the vehicular
traffic stream in a pattern peculiar to each crossing
location. For safety, a pedestrian must wait for a gap
in traffic that is of sufficient duration to permit a
street crossing without interference from vehicular
traffic.
The delay between the occurrence of adequate gaps
becomes excessive when the number of adequate gaps in
the traffic stream during the period the children are
using a crossing is less than number of minutes in that
same time period. With this condition (when adequate
gaps occur less frequently than an average of one per
minute), some form of traffic control is needed which
will create in the traffic stream the gaps necessary to
reduce the hazard.
VI. Variance Clause:
When it is felt that a school crossing is needed in
contrast to the criteria set forth in this document,
school officials shall submit a request for variance to
the City for consideration of establishing such a cross
walk; the request shall specifically state the reason(s)
for requesting the variance. The request will be
reviewed by the Engineering and Police Departments for
recommendations.
3
VII. Crosswalks:
Crosswalks are defined as white pavement marking lines
on city streets whose primary function is to control and
guide pedestrians and whose secondary purpose is to
identify pedestrian crossing areas to motorists.
The two white lines do not provide pedestrian protection
against approaching vehicles. The burden of safety is
upon the pedestrian to be alert and cautious when
crossing any street. A marked crosswalk can create a
false feeling of security to a pedestrian. THEREFORE,
CROSSWALKS SHOULD BE MARKED ONLY WHERE IT IS ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY TO GUIDE AND CONTROL PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS.
Factors to be considered when studying a location for
crosswalk installations are as follows:
- Safe route to school
- Proximity to existing crosswalks
- Pedestrian volume
- Pedestrian character
- Vehicular speeds
- Type and width of street
- Geometric condition
In general, marked crosswalks have the following
disadvantages:
* Cause pedestrians to have a false sense of
security, placing them in a hazardous position
with respect to vehicular traffic.
* Cause the pedestrian to think the motorist can and
will stop in all cases, even when it is impossible
to do so.
* Cause a greater number of rear-end and associated
collisions due to pedestrians not waiting for gaps
in traffic.
* Cause disrespect for all pedestrian regulations
and traffic controls.
Locations that will not be considered for school
crosswalk installations are:
1. Locations not on or along established school
routes;
4
2. Crosswalks in residential areas across
residential streets removed from school
property. Except where 40 or more school
children cross in the A.M. or P.M. period; and
3. Midblock locations not controlled by a traffic
control device.
VIII. Reduced School Speed Zones:
One important element in an effective safety program is
the establishment of reduced speed limits. Reduction in
speed is one of the major factors that contribute to the
driver's awareness of a school crossing and ability to
cope with some of the special hazards and complex
driving decisions that exist in most school areas.
School speed zones are of two types as noted below:
1. SCHOOL ZONES ADJACENT TO SCHOOL PROPERTY
School zones adjacent to a school are installed for
the protection of everyone using the facility. This
zone may include a crosswalk, but is set-up
primarily because of the general nature of activity
of the area which can include such things as
adjacent playground, excessive off street pick-up
and drop-offs, etc.
This type of zone will automatically be installed on
the street where this type of activity occurs for
school grades kindergarten (K) to eighth. However,
any crosswalks within the zone will be assessed and
evaluated. A typical adjacent school speed zone is
shown in Figure 2, Page 7 and a flow chart on
Page 9.
NOTE: There are presently four active school zones
adjacent to school property, adjacent to the
following schools:
1. Pinkerton Elementary on Southwestern Blvd.
2. Austin Elementary on Moore Road
3. Lee Elementary on Samuel Boulevard
4. Intermediate School on Mockingbird Lane
The listed school zones are considered to be
adequate. Although warranted, the school zone
adjacent to Lee Elementary, which due to roadway
widening, needs to be studied.
2. SCHOOL ZONES ON A STREET AWAY FROM SCHOOL PROPERTY
School zones on a street away from the school
property are installed so as to protect a crosswalk.
The length of the zone should reflect the speed of
the road because of the distance required for a
vehicle to slow down and stop for a pedestrian in a
crosswalk. An engineering and traffic investigation
should be conducted to determine the need for a
reduced speed limit. This type of zone should be
installed only after due consideration of the
established school route and also should be as short
as possible to avoid improper use. A typical school
zone away from the school property is shown in
Figure 3, Page 8 and flow chart on Page 10. This
type of school speed zone may be established on
streets that are not adjacent to school property,
provided a crosswalk has been warranted at such
location within the School Route Plan. The
crosswalk needs to be controlled by an adult school
crossing guard (See Section X).
NOTE 1: The standard school speed limit in the City of
Coppell is 20 miles per hour and is in effect on
school days between the hours and at locations
as listed.
7:30 A.M. 8:30 A.M. All Schools
2:15 P.M. 3:15 P.M. All Elementary Schools
2:45 P.M. - 3:45 P.M Intermediate Schools
NOTE 2: Based upon both national and local studies
regarding effectiveness of the reduce speed
zones, it is recommended that the limits of such
zone in Coppell be no less than 600 feet nor
more than 1200 feet.
NOTE 3: There is only one school zone on a street away
from school property which is located on Sandy
Lake at Samuel Blvd. intersection. This school
zone is considered INADEOUATE and is to be
removed upon adoption of this guideline.
6
1338,LS 'lVt_LN3C~IS-3~J
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133 }Jl S A~J~'qNO33S
FIGURE 2-TYPICAL SCHOOL ZONES NEAR SCHOOL PROPERTY
133a1S 3V]JN3CIIS3~
Ld ~
Ld
fC
<{
FIGURE 3 -TYPICAL SCIIOOL ZONES AWAY FROt,4 SCI,'OOL PROPERTY
8
CROSSWALKS AND SCIIOOL ZONES "AT SCIIOOL PROPERTY".
SCHOOL ZONES AUTOMATICALLY
INSTALLED FOR ACTIVITY SIDES
YES~ NO
SEE AWAY FROM
SCHOOL FLOW CHART
NO
END ,
INSTALL
END
X-WALK
NO ~YE S
YES NO
END EXTEND
CROSSWALKS AND SCHOOL ZONES
"AWAY FROt~ SCIIOOL PROPERI'Y OR ON
NON-ACTIVITY SIDES OF .SClIOOl_ I;'I,~OPIZR'FY."
YES
END _
INSTALL
END
X-WALK
N 0 ~
END
INSTALL
END SCHOOL
ZONE
IX. Flasher Assemblies
The City of Coppell Criteria for justification of a
flasher assembly is as follows:
All 20 MPH reduced speed zones will be flasherized
in the City of Coppell on major thoroughfares and
major collectors where the 85th percentile is
greater than 35 MPH.
- There is no other crossing controlled by a signal,
stop sign, or crossing guard within 500 feet of the
proposed location.
- Residential streets because of their nature (low
speed and local traffic) are not recommended to have
flashers.
X. Priority Criteria for Crossing Guards
In order to meet the above criteria in a systematic and
orderly manner within economic limitations, a priority
listing of locations based upon both physical and
traffic characteristics must be developed.
A pedestrian Exposure Rating (ER) index is used to build
the priority listing of locations. The ER index
includes the following factors:
1. Age Group by Grade Level (Ag)
2. Number of Children Per Hour (Nc)
3. Type of Traffic Control at the Intersection (Tc)
4. Speed of Street Crossed (S)
5. Street Characteristics at Crossing (Sc)
6. Traffic Volume of Street Crossed (Tv)
7. Land Use (Lu)
8. Stopping Sight Distance on Street Crossed (SSD)
(Note: SSD is considered for the adult crossing)
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Weighted averages have been developed for the
different categories. The summation of the weighted
averages for the different categories which are
explained below will be compiled to develop the Exposure
Rating (ER);
ER = Ag + Nc + Tc + S + Sc + Tv + Lu + SSD
All locations where a school speed zone on and/or away
from school property has been requested will be
prioritized according to their ER ranking.
CRITERIA
1. Age Group (Ag)
(Grade Level) Points
K - 5 5
6 - 8 3
9 - 12 1
If more than one age group is found at a crossing, an
AVERAGE VALUE WILL BE DETERMINED by adding the number of
points and dividing by the number of age groups using
the crossing.
2. Number of Children (Nc)
No. of Children Points
(Average of AM & PM Count)
0- 5 0
6-15 2
16-30 4
31-50 6
51-75 8
Over 75 10
3. Type of Traffic Control at Intersection (Tc)
Traffic Control Points
Traffic Signal 1
Multi-way Stop 4
Two-way Stop 5
Yield 6
No Control 10
12
4. Speed (S) at Street Crossed
Speed (MPH) 85 Percentile Points
30 1
35 2
40 4
45 8
50 12
5. Street Characteristics (Sc) at Crossing
Sc = Sw + Sg
where SW = Street Width
Sg = Street Geometry
Street Width (SW) Points
to 26' 1
to 36' 2
to 44' 3
to 60' 4
Over 60' 6
Street Geometry (Sq) Points
No sidewalk on street at crossing 3
Ditch on street at crossing 3
Type of intersection:
(a) T or Y 1
(b) 4 leg 2
Where Sc = Sw + Sg
6. Traffic Volume (Tv) of Street Crossed
Hourly volumes During
Crossinq Activity Points
(ave. of AM & PM)
0 250 1
251 500 2
501 1000 3
1001 - 2000 4
2001 - 3000 5
Over 3000 6
13
7. Land Use (Lu) Points
Residential 1
Commercial 2
Industrial 3
8. Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) on Street Crossed
(SSD)
MPH, 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 (FT.)
50 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 (PTS)
45 0 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0
40 0 0 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0
35 0 0 0 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.0
30 0 0 0 0 1.0 2.0 4.0
25 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 2.0
* 85th percentile speed rounded to the nearest
fifth.
If the ER index is 3__5 points or GREATER and the
NUMBER OF CHILDREN CROSSING THE INTERSECTION is 1__5
or GREATER, then an adult crossing guard may be
needed at the location. If there is an existing
school speed zone away from school property which
does not meet the above criteria and any other
factors based on sound engineering judgement, such
school zone should be removed.
The standards contained herein are a guide and not
absolute. It is understood that there can be
exceptions but each exception should be reviewed on
its own merit and on a case-by-case basis with a
best solution found that is unique for it.
XI. School Parkinq Prohibitions and Restrictions:
Parking is generally a problem around school sites and
sometimes creates congestion and safety concerns. "NO
PARKING" sign installations are effective in reducing
the level of congestion and providing better visibility
of the street and pedestrians.
14
Requests for parking restrictions on dedicated public
streets adjacent to school property shall be submitted
by the School Principal to the City of Coppell Public
Works Department, Engineering Division for an
engineering review.
The "School" side of all streets adjacent to school
property (except major thoroughfares) should be reserved
for the loading or unloading of students. However,
there is a tendency for teachers, students, and parents
to park in these areas for long periods of time. The
installation of parking restrictions should be used to
eliminate this practice.
xII. School One-Way Streets
One-way restrictions can be used only on residential
streets around schools and must begin and end at a
dedicated cross street. Conversion of an existing two-
way street to a system of one-way streets can have a
positive impact on pedestrian safety. Some problems
associated with this countermeasure are:
* The lack of support of adjacent property owners.
* The street system may not be adequate for one
way operation.
* Part time one-way streets have frequent
violations and generally are an enforcement
problem.
15
REFERENCES
1.) 1980 Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
for Streets and HiQhwaVs, State Department of
Highways and Public Transportation. Austin, Texas.
1980 Published revisions).
2. Traffic Control Devices Handbook, Federal Highway
Administration, washington, D.C. (1988 Edition).
3. Uniform Traffic Control Devices PolicV Manual, City
of Arlington, Texas.
4. School Zone Traffic Control Guidelines, City of
Plano, Texas, (1988).
5.) School SafetV ProQram, City of Grand Prairie, Texas.
6.) Texas Motor Vehicle Laws, Texas Department of Public
Safety Austin, Texas. (1987 - 1988)
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