Dear Guy: Drivers should yield to pedestrians at marked crossings. What gives me a problem are the two non-intersection, but clearly marked, crossings on four-lane LaHarpe Boulevard between State and Cumberland streets. The speed limit is 40, which most drivers take as a minimum. It's not safe to come to a complete stop there, no matter how many pedestrians languish. -- Perplexed
Dear Perplexed: A number of readers have pointed out the inherent dangers of both speedy LaHarpe and those crosswalks. One reader even noted that pedestrians at one of the crosswalks come right out of a big bush. Hard to see them, she said.
Do drivers really have to stop at these crosswalks, clearly marked but not at intersections? Nat Banihatti, one of the city's traffic engineers, was happy to answer by turning to the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide: "Crosswalks define the area where pedestrians are to cross the roadway. A driver must yield to pedestrians in or about to enter a crosswalk. Not all crosswalks are marked. Be alert for pedestrians when crossing intersections that do not have defined crosswalks."
Banihatti deferred on other questions because LaHarpe/Cantrell Road is actually Arkansas 10, and so falls under the jurisdiction of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. We know this but usually forget.
Off we went to Joe Sartini, the District 6 engineer. Yo, we said, how about some warning signs, flashers or the ones that get put in the middle of the street? And, given that 40 mph is mighty swift, any consideration of dialing down the limit?
Yo back, he said. There are warning signs. As for the in-street signs, known as pedestrian paddles, no thanks. Two reasons. First, they don't last long. Second, and more importantly, placement of the signs in the middle of the roadway causes drivers to shy away from the sign. This means vehicles are actually closer to the edge of the street where the pedestrians are. "This, in our opinion, creates a greater hazard for the pedestrian."
Flashing lights? Those are allowed by permit, Sartini said. If the city wants to add "pedestrian actuated warning beacons" to those crossings, the Highway Department would issue a permit.
Regarding the speed limit, Sartini said a traffic investigator would conduct a speed study to determine whether a reduction in the speed limit is warranted.
Hello, Mahatma: If one turns right onto Rodney Parham Road from 12th Street, the road takes a wide curve up to the intersection with Interstate 630. The lane markings on Rodney Parham could be repainted. What to do? -- Miss Carol
Dear Miss: While Rodney Parham is a city street, access to Interstate 630 is controlled by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
The Highway Department has a website, iDriveArkansas.com. Go there. See the contact thingee. Click and scroll down to Report a Problem. Then report.
Mahatma@arkansasonline.com
Metro on 12/06/2014