{"id":14922,"date":"2020-11-17T09:34:12","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T14:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?p=14922"},"modified":"2022-01-12T12:07:01","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T17:07:01","slug":"protecting-children-orange-county-public-works-installs-raised-crosswalks-at-most-dangerous-school-crossings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2020\/11\/protecting-children-orange-county-public-works-installs-raised-crosswalks-at-most-dangerous-school-crossings\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Children: Orange County Public Works Installs Raised Crosswalks at Most Dangerous School Crossings"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a frightening sight: a car or truck speeding through school crossings with students nearby. Based on complaints from parents and school officials, Orange County Public Works Traffic Engineering Division<\/a> recently conducted evaluations at some of the most dangerous school crossings.<\/p>\n

The results? Raised crosswalks were installed as proactive remedy. The division used funding from its safety budget to install the crosswalks around various Orange County Public Schools<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always want to be proactive from a safety perspective,\u201d said Lauren Torres, project manager, Orange County Public Works Traffic Engineering Division. \u201cThe installation of raised crosswalks as an additional safety feature creates a safer and more comfortable pedestrian crossing environment, so this was something we wanted to get done right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the Federal Highway Administration<\/a>, raised crosswalks reduce pedestrian crashes by 45 percent and serve effectively as a traffic calming measure by bringing the crosswalk from a street level to a sidewalk level. They also make the pedestrian more prominent in the driver\u2019s field of vision, reduce vehicle speeds and improve motorist yielding to pedestrians within the elevated crosswalk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started looking at locations where we\u2019ve had concerns in the past,\u201d added Torres. \u201cWe went back to look at some of our Title 1 schools, which are in poverty-level neighborhoods and where most of the kids walk to and from school. Protecting these children was our No. 1 priority.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once construction on the crosswalks began, it became clear some of the existing ramps were in need of upgrades, so Traffic Engineering made some additional ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)<\/a> enhancements. It only took three to four days to complete each crosswalk, which were installed at the following locations:<\/p>\n