Update: City replaces missing pedestrian flags

| Neighborhoods | Transportation | West Seattle news

New info today about the new pedestrian flags at 3 West Seattle spots, including replacement of stolen ones:

A comment on our first report mentioned the Avalon/Yancy flags were already gone – we confirmed it (and took that photo) this morning. Just checked with SDOT, where spokesperson Peg Nielsen tells us a crew is headed out this way to check on the flags there and the other two intersections (California/Dakota and California/Dawson) to replenish whatever’s missing. (3:16 PM UPDATE: We just drove by, and Avalon/Yancy is now replenished.) We had asked SDOT last week for more info on the flags’ origins and hadn’t even gotten around to publishing that before we got word the Avalon/Yancy flags had disappeared … but here’s what SDOT’s Rick Sheridan told us late Friday about the program:

The pedestrian crossing flags readers have spotted are from a Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) pilot program. The City Council identified the flags as a crosswalk improvement tool that SDOT should examine as part of the Pedestrian Master Plan.

Using citizen requests as a starting point, SDOT selected 17 test locations around the city. We will emplace flags at these locations and then assess their effectiveness in enhancing pedestrian safety. The three locations in West Seattle are first on the installation list and are the only ones planned for the neighborhood. SDOT will continue to accept citizen requests and maintain a list of possible future locations, but is not planning to install additional flags at this time.

Planned Flag Locations (in West Seattle):
SW Avalon Way & SW Yancy Street
California Avenue SW & SW Dakota Street
California Avenue SW & SW Dawson Street

Irukandji July 1, 2008 (2:27 pm)

Perhaps a flag can be distributed FREE with each of the walking baskets that local vendors are selling. Issue flags directly to pedestrians.

Diane July 1, 2008 (3:13 pm)

I saw people using flags to cross at California Avenue SW & SW Dawson Street; think it was Sunday; very effective

J July 1, 2008 (3:24 pm)

Since it’s a pilot program, and they’re “assessing effectiveness”, presumably it will seem relatively ineffective if the flags keep disappearing.

What would be the best way to encourage people to leave the flags for everyone’s use?

brj July 1, 2008 (3:27 pm)

Why on earth would anyone want to steal a neon yellow flag? For real? “Score! I got 4 yellow flags! Let the fun begin!!”
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I really think flags should be put at the crosswalk of Fauntleroy and Oregon – it’s hard to see pedestrians there, plus the fact the right turn lane has a green light 99% of the time – not much time to look for peds.

CMP July 2, 2008 (8:04 am)

There were plenty of flags at California and Dawson this morning, but we’ll see how long they last. I’m always amazed at what people will steal, as these seem to have no other function outside of a cross walk.

j July 2, 2008 (9:17 am)

This is absolutely retarded. Why can’t motorists pay attention and actually WATCH for pedestrians instead of relying on neon flags to see them? If these crosswalks are this dangerous, why can’t we have a walk signal put in instead of the bureacratic band-aid? This is a ridiculous waste of money. Just put a light in already!

seaweedtoasted July 2, 2008 (12:18 pm)

Avalon and Yancy/Andover is a super busy street/intersection that really needs a light to slow the traffic down in both directions on Avalon. Plus there is always traffic coming from Yancy (All Star Fitness madness) and also the weird diagnol street (31st?).
The flags are a welcome band aid to me, not ridiculous, but I would love to see a more well-thought out solution for the whole problem (lack of safety for everyone).

miws July 3, 2008 (5:43 am)

I thought a paint ball gun attatched to the flags would be a good idea!

They would be used against the cars that don’t stop, and espcially if they’re speeding, when a pedestrian is legally and safely trying to use the crosswalk.

Unfortunately those would probably be more susceptible to theft.

Mike

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