Attachment_A-1_Milpitas_Suggested_Routes_to_School_Program_2011.pdf

Prepared by in association with Alta Planning + Design and Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

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City of Milpitas Suggested Routes to School Program

March 2011

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Introduction

Program Activities

Survey Results: District Overview

School‐Specific Recommendations

Elementary Schools:

Burnett Elementary School

Curtner Elementary School

Pomeroy Elementary School

Randall Elementary School

Rose Elementary School

Sinnott Elementary School

Spangler Elementary School

Weller Elementary School

Zenker Elementary School

Middle Schools:

Rancho Milpitas Middle School

Thomas Russell Middle School

Programmatic Recommendations

Funding Sources

Appendices:

A: Parent Survey Questionnaire

B: Parent Survey Results

C: Suggested Routes to School Maps

Table of Contents

Ta bl e of C on te nt s

Introduction

Milpitas’s Suggested Routes to School Program Parents give various reasons for choosing to drive their children to school, primarily citing distance, convenience, the ages of the children, and general safety. Suggested Routes to School programs address a number of these obstacles that prevent students from walking and bicy‐ cling to school.

The City of Milpitas encourages parents and stu‐ dents to walk or bike to school. The City’s prior and/or current efforts include:

Clean and Safe Streets Program

Suggested Routes to School maps

Walking and biking educational outreach

Student valet program

Crossing guard program

International Walk and Bike to School Day

Infrastructure improvements around the school area through the City of Milpitas’s Capital Improvement Program

Milpitas Bikeway Master Plan Update

The 2009‐2010 Suggested Routes to School pro‐ gram, funded by a Federal Safe Routes to School Grant, builds upon these existing efforts, to help increase the number of students walking and biking to school, and to assist the City in becom‐ ing a safer walking and bicycling community.

This report is intended to be used by a variety of stakeholders.

Who is this Report For?

Parents can use this report to understand the conditions at their children’s school, and to be‐ come familiar with the ways the City and schools are trying to make walking and biking safer.

School district and school staff can use this re‐ port to identify issues at their schools, and to develop a plan to improve walking and biking at their schools.

City staff can use this report to identify City‐ wide issues and opportunities related to walking and biking, to prioritize infrastructure improve‐ ments and City‐funded SR2S programs.

Police department staff can use this report to understand issues related to walking and biking to school and to plan for and prioritize enforce‐ ment activities that may make it easier and safer for students to walk and bike to school.

Milpitas’s Suggested Routes to Schools Program helps make it easier, safer and more fun for students to walk or bike to school.

This report summarizes the Suggested Routes to Schools efforts undertaken by the City of Milpitas, the Milpitas Unified School District and the Milpitas Police Department during the 2009‐2010 school year. The report begins with a summary of these activities, followed by a district‐wide overview of survey results, and school‐specific reports for Milpitas’s 11 elementary and middle schools, and program‐ matic recommendations.

In tr od uc ti on

Introduction

Program Activities

The City’s Suggested Routes to School program expanded after the City received a Federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant in 2008. During the 2009‐2010 school year, Milpitas’s Suggested Routes to Schools Program sponsored the following activities:

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education. Students from all of the elementary schools participated in bicycle and pedestrian safety assemblies, learning how bicycling and walking is an effective way to get to and from school, decrease air pollution and keep physically fit. The assemblies addressed the students’ perceptions and reactions to hazards created by motor vehicles through role playing and simulating “real life” traffic conditions.

The interactive lesson plans were designed to accommodate the abilities and cognitive learning skills of each grade level, and were relevant to the diverse school communities of Milpitas. Bicycles, traffic signs, traffic signals and a miniature cityscape was set up in the assembly to simulate a traffic environment with which students interacted.

International Bike and Walk to School Day. International Bike and Walk to School Day is typically held on the first Wednesday of October. This event is meant to encourage students to walk and bike to school with the intent that it will become a habit through the rest of the school year. Schools around the world participate in this event, including the elementary schools in Milpitas, which sent out promotional flyers, hung banners and handed out bracelets during the event.

On October 7, 2009, over 2,700 students walked and biked to school in Milpitas, with an average of 55% of students from each school participating. Eighty percent of students at Rose Elementary participated, the most of the Milpitas schools. A City police officer joined the students as they walked and biked to school.

As an expression of gratitude to participating students, the City donated a helmet and bicycle to each school. Students were entered into a raffle that awarded the helmet and bike at the end of October.

The City also recognized school staff at the October 20, 2009 City Council meeting.

“It was successful and the kids loved the bracelets for participating.”

Hilary LeDay, Assistant Principal, Sinnott Elementary School

Students from all of the elementary schools attended bicycle and pedestrian safety assemblies.

Students role played “real life” traffic conditions to address their perceptions of motor vehicle created hazards.

Pr og ra m A ct iv it ie

Bicycle Rodeos. All of the elementary schools participated in bicycle rodeos, an event in which students are taught bicycle riding skills and safe bicycle riding. The rodeos were held on school campus, where students could practice in a traffic free environment.

Student Valet Program. The City continued its successful student valet program, which trains fourth, fifth and sixth graders to assist students who are being dropped off by their parents at school. City po‐ lice officers train the student valets at each of the eight participating elementary schools. The officer begins the training with the basics of traffic control and stresses that maintaining safety is the primary concern. The officer shows students how to handle hand‐held stop signs, wave traffic on and open dif‐ ferent vehicle door types. Students are also trained to not to enter the street, only open the passenger doors, greet the driver and remind the passengers to wear their seat belts. The officer assists students every day during their first week of being a student valet and provides this assistance on a monthly basis thereafter.

Crossing Guards. Forty‐three crossing guards were deployed throughout the city to assist students walk‐ ing and biking to school for the 2009/2010 school year. The Traffic Safety Units in the Field Services Divi‐ sion of Milpitas’s Police Departement dedicates a staff member to train crossing guards.

Walk Audits. As part of the City’s ongoing effort to improve walking and biking to school conditions, walk audits were conducted at all 11 elementary and middle schools. Parents, teachers, and administra‐ tors participated in walk audits to identify barriers to walking and biking to school. The identified barri‐ ers were used to develop the school specific recommendations presented in this plan beginning on page 12.

Student and Parent Surveys. The City conducted student and parent surveys during fall 2009 to under‐ stand how students are getting to and from school, and to identify ways in which walking and biking can be made easier and safer.

In addition to the parent surveys, Burnett and Weller Elementary schools administered a student hand tally survey asking student how they travelled between home and school. Teachers announced each travel mode and asked their students to raise their hand in response to the mode they used. Teachers asked students about their morning and afternoon travel mode choice. Results of the hand tally surveys are presented in each school’s section.

Ten of the 11 schools participated in the parent survey, which asked parents about their travel mode choices, barriers to walking and biking to school, their reasons why they do not allow their children to walk or bike to school (if they do not), in addition to demographic information. The back side of the sur‐ vey provided a map of the school area on which the parents and their children were asked to mark loca‐ tions of problem spots. Surveys were provided in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The following pages show the parent survey, followed by a summary of the district‐wide results. School specific results are presented for each of the participating schools starting on page 12 and were used to develop the recom‐ mendations. Appendix B presents the detailed results.

Students at Sinnott Elementary help their peers load into cars as part of the City Student Valet Program.

Crossing guards assist students at crosswalks throughout the city, like this one near Weller Elementary.

Program A ctivities

Survey continued on next page.

Pa re nt S ur ve y

Surveys were also provided in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Parent Survey

To understand the needs of students and parents at specific schools, 7,500 surveys were distributed to the Milpitas Unified School District’s nine elementary and two middle schools.

Walking route maps for each school are located in the school sections starting on page 12. Parents and children worked together to mark on the map the route they normally take to school, and to identify problem areas. The survey asked parents to list improvements they would like to see, and to list the rea‐ sons why their children may not walk or bike to school.

Response Rates Number of responses: 1017 Response rate: 13.5% English Respondents: 96% Spanish Respondents: 2% Vietnamese Respondents: 2%

Parent Survey Results: District Overview

Distance From School Percentage of Students Less than a 1/4 mile 27% 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile 19% 1/2 mile to 1 mile 18% 1 mile to 2 miles 22% More than 2 miles 11% Do not know 3%

What distance does your child live from school?

Almost one half of students live within a half mile of school.

Has your child asked to walk or bike to school in the last year?

Almost one half of students have asked to walk or bike to school in the last year.

Yes No 49% 51%

Su rv ey

R es ul ts

On most days, how does your child arrive at school?

On a typical day, 29% of students walk to school and 4% bike to school.

57%

29%

6% 4% 2% 1% 1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Family Vehicle

Walk Carpool Bike School Bus Other City Bus

At what grade would you allow your child to walk or bike to school?

Most parents would allow their child to walk or bike to school by 6th grade.

Grade Percentage of Students Kindergarten 0% 1st 2% 2nd 2% 3rd 5% 4th 7% 5th 10% 6th 15% 7th 10% 8th 6% Older than 8th 16% Never 27%

Survey Results

If your child does not walk or bike to school, what are the reasons?

“No adults to walk or bike with their child” was the number one reason why parents do not allow their child to walk or bike to school.

5%

8%

8%

10%

11%

18%

19%

21%

24%

25%

27%

27%

33%

No sidewalks/paths

Other

No crossing guards

Before and after school activities

Traffic speed is high

Too much traffic

Takes too much time

Unsafe intersections

Driving is convenient

Too far

Bad weather

Crime

No adults to walk/bike with child

Parents could choose more than one answer.

Reason Yes No Not Sure No adults to walk/bike with child 22% 10% 8% Too far 15% 16% 8% Bad weather 15% 11% 8% Driving is convenient 14% 10% 8% Takes too much time 13% 12% 6% Too much traffic 13% 10% 8% Unsafe intersections 13% 11% 9% Crime 13% 12% 11% Traffic speed is high 10% 10% 6% No crossing guard 9% 9% 6% Before and after school activities 8% 11% 5% No sidewalks/paths 7% 9% 6% Other 5% 5% 5%

Would you let your child walk or bike to school if the listed problems were changed or improved?

The highest percentage of parents would allow their child to walk or bike if adults were available to chaperone them.

Su rv ey

R es ul ts

District‐Wide Survey Results

Key Findings Pomeroy Elementary students live the fur‐ thest from school, on average, compared to the other elementary schools’ students.

Rose Elementary students live the closest to school, on average, compared to the other elementary schools’ students.

Rose Elementary has the highest percent‐ age of students walking and biking to school.

Notes Rose Elementary had the lowest survey response rate.

Curtner Elementary had the highest survey response rate.

Response rates determine the significance of the findings, i.e., higher response rates may be more accurate than lower re‐ sponse rates.

Survey Results

† Averages are weighted by number of survey responses.

School Nu m be r o f R es po ns es

En ro llm en t Av er ag e D ist an ce fr om

Sc ho ol (m ile s)

W alk

/B ike

Fa m ily Ve hic le

Ca rp oo l

Sc ho ol Bu s Cit y B us

Ot he r

Elementary Schools Burnett 163 637 0.61 37% 58% 4% 1% 0% 1% Curtner 238 636 0.91 25% 65% 6% 3% 0% 1% Pomeroy 103 685 0.99 23% 57% 11% 8% 1% 0% Rose 33 459 0.37 58% 40% 0% 0% 0% 2% Sinnott 73 724 0.64 36% 56% 4% 0% 2% 1% Spangler 72 787 0.89 29% 56% 7% 7% 0% 1% Weller 130 424 0.54 29% 48% 8% 1% 0% 1% Zanker 45 549 0.79 37% 59% 2% 2% 0% 2%

Elementary (Total/Average† ) 857 4,901 0.76 31% 57% 6% 3% 0% 1%

Rancho Milpitas 51 703 1.14 36% 51% 5% 0% 8% 0% Thomas Russell 106 589 1.15 26% 59% 12% 1% 2% 0% Middle (Total/Average† ) 79 646 1.15 29% 56% 10% 1% 4% 0%

District (Total/Average† ) 1,014 6,193 0.82 31% 57% 6% 2% 1% 1%

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

† Crossing guards may serve more than one school.

* Rancho Milpitas Middle and Sinnott Elementary share the same seven corssing guards.

Program Activities During the 2009/ 2010 School Year

Pr og ra m A ct iv it ie

School‐Specific Recommendations

The following pages contain specific recommendations for improving walking and bicycling conditions near Milpitas Unified School District’s nine elementary and two middle schools.

Elementary Schools:

Burnett Elementary School

Curtner Elementary School

Pomeroy Elementary School

Randall Elementary School

Rose Elementary School

Sinnott Elementary School

Spangler Elementary School

Weller Elementary School

Zanker Elementary School

Middle Schools:

Rancho Milpitas Middle School

Thomas Russell Middle School

Recommendations include signage, striping, sidewalk con‐ struction, and other improvements.

Recommended improvements are based on field review and input from the school principals, teachers, parents and Police Department.

School Specific Recom m endations

Burnett Elementary School

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School Information Principal: Catherine Waslif Address: 400 Fanyon Street Enrollment: 637

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Burnett School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and bik‐ ing to school. Parents returned 163 surveys, for a response rate of 26%.

Key Survey Findings 34% of students regularly walk to school and

3% of students regularly bike to school.

76% of students live within one mile of school.

39% of parents said that their child asked per‐ mission to walk or bike to school in the last year.

20% of parents would allow their child to walk or bike to school if adults were available to chaperone them.

Crime is the main reason why parents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

Walk Audit On September 17, 2009, the City conducted a walk audit to indentify the barriers to walking and biking to school. Recommendations from the walk audit are provided in the following page.

How Students Get to Burnett School in the Morning

Walk, 34%

Family Vehicle, 58%

School Bus, 1%

Bike, 3%

Carpool, 4%

Other, 1%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

3%

6% 6%

9% 9%

10% 12%

15% 19%

19% 28%

28% 30%

No sidewalks/paths

Before and after school activities Traffic speed is high

No crossing guards Too much traffic

Other Takes too much time

Driving is convenient Too far

Unsafe intersections No adults to walk/bike with child

Bad weather Crime

Recommended Improvements

Based on the walk audit and parent survey, the following infrastructure improvements are recom‐ mended:

Fanyon Street At the midblock crosswalk in front of school drop‐off parking lot:

Remove crosswalk, if warranted, or keep crosswalk and:

Install curb ramps on both sides.

Add red curb striping for 20 feet adjacent to crosswalk on both sides to improve motor‐ ist and pedestrian sight lines.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk to thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Replace obsolete school crosswalk signs with current school crosswalk warning assembly (Assembly B) at crosswalk (two total).

Relocate SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils in advance of crosswalk at both approaches by removing existing stencil and providing new stencil about 100 feet in advance of school crosswalk.

Relocate existing school warning signs at both approaches closer to crosswalk, and add “AHEAD” to these signs to create school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D) (two total).

Reopen gate to school and construct raised crosswalk through school parking lot.

For the long term, consider constructing curb extensions.

Kennedy Drive Remove obsolete school warning sign on north side of street, just east of Simas Drive (facing westbound traffic).

Relocate school speed limit assembly (Assembly C) higher on pole on north side of street just west of Lynn Avenue, to increase visibility.

The midblock crosswalk on Fanyon Street should be re‐ moved or improved with high‐visibility treatments.

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A speed feedback sign is installed on Kennedy Drive.

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Curtner Elementary School School Information Principal: Todd Gaviglio Address: 275 Redwood Avenue Enrollment: 636

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Curtner School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and bik‐ ing to school. Parents returned 238 surveys, for a response rate of 37%.

Key Survey Findings 22% of students regularly walk to school and

3% regularly bike to school.

57% of students live within one mile of school.

63% of parents would allow their child to walk or bike to school if adult chaperones were available.

Lack of adult chaperone is the main reason why parents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

Walk Audit On December 7, 2009, the City held a walk audit to identify physical barriers to walking or biking to school. Recommendations from the walk audit are described on the next two pages.

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How Students Get to Curtner School in the Morning

Walk, 22%

Family Vehicle, 65%

School Bus, 3%

Bike, 3%

Carpool, 6%

Other, 1%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

6%

11% 15%

17% 17%

25% 31%

35% 36%

38% 41%

46% 63%

No sidewalks/paths

No crossing guards Other

Before and after school activities Traffic speed is high

Too much traffic Unsafe intersections

Crime Bad weather

Takes too much time Too far

Driving is convenient No adults to walk/bike with child

Based on the walk audit and parent survey, the following infrastructure improvements are recom‐ mended:

Redwood Avenue Consider constructing a combined entrance and exit driveway at west end of the school grounds where the existing exit driveway is currently located. This would provide more curb space in front of school, reduce on‐street vehicle queuing, and extend on‐site vehicle queuing for student valet.

In the long term, consider widening the sidewalk from four feet to eight feet on north side of street from cul‐de‐sac to Coyote Street.

Install a double yellow centerline between Penitencia Street and Coyote Street to discourage U‐turn movements in front of the school.

At the Lexington Street intersection:

Convert both existing yellow transverse crosswalks to thermoplastic ladder cross‐ walks.

Install a school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) and school cross‐ walk warning assembly (Assembly B) at each approach (two Assembly D and two As‐ sembly B total).

Install SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil about 100 feet in advance of crosswalk on east‐ bound approach.

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil on westbound approach.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalks at: Penitencia Street, Sexington Street, Coyote Street, and Abel Street to thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (six total).

Install a curb ramp at northwest corner of Coyote Street intersection.

Consolidating the entrance and exit driveways would pro‐ vide more curb space for buses, and allow longer queues for the valet

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The sidewalk in front of Curtner School is congested dur‐ ing drop‐off.

Coyote Street At the uncontrolled school crosswalk:

Install curb ramp on west side.

Refresh existing yellow ladder crosswalk with thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils on both approaches.

Replace obsolete advance school crosswalk signs with current school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D) at both approaches. Consider relocating southbound ap‐ proach sign closer to the crosswalk to increase visibility.

Abbott Avenue At the uncontrolled school crosswalk:

Install curb ramps on both sides.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk to thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Replace obsolete advance school crosswalk warning signs and school crosswalk signs with current school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D) and current school cross‐ walk warning assemblies (Assembly B).

Relocate both SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils in advance of crosswalk by removing existing stencils and providing new stencils about 100 feet in advance of school crosswalk.

Improvements to the Coyote Street crosswalk would make it easier for students to access the back entrance to the school.

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Students east of Abel Street can access Curtner school through this underpass.

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Pomeroy Elementary School

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Y School Information Principal: Troy Knechtel Address: 1505 Escuela Parkway Enrollment: 685

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Pomeroy School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and biking to school. Parents returned 103 surveys, for a response rate of 15%.

Key Survey Findings 21% of students regularly walk to school and

2% regularly bike to school.

56% of students live within one mile of school.

24% of parents would allow their child to walk or bike to school if adult chaperones were available.

Living too far from school is the main reason why parents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

Walk Audit On December 7, 2009, the City held a walk audit to identify the barriers to walking and biking to school. Recommendations from this walk audit are provided on the following two pages.

How Students Get to Pomeroy School in the Morning

Walk, 21%

Family Vehicle, 57%

Bike, 2%

School Bus, 8%

Carpool, 11%

City Bus, 1%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

6%

11% 12%

12% 12%

21% 25%

25% 26%

28% 32%

37% 38%

No sidewalks/paths

Other Before and after school activities

Traffic speed is high No crossing guards

Takes too much time Driving is convenient

Unsafe intersections Too much traffic

Bad weather Crime

Too far

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Recommended Improvements

Based on the walk audit and parent survey, the following infrastructure improvements are recom‐ mended:

Escuela Parkway Entire Length

In the long term, consider widening sidewalks from four feet to six feet or more on west side be‐ tween Washington Drive and Russell Lane.

Consider construction of a multi‐use pathway on the east side between Washington Drive and Rus‐ sell Lane and/or restriping the roadway to provide six‐foot wide bike lanes with one‐foot wide painted buffer.

At the six uncontrolled crosswalks (three in each direction) between Washington Drive and Russell Lane:

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalks to thermoplastic crosswalks.

Install or refresh (as appropriate) SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils.

Install advance school crosswalk sign assemblies (Assembly D) and school crosswalk sign assem‐ blies.

At Russell Lane, refresh existing yellow ladder crosswalks with thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (three total) and convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk across northeast leg to thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalks across Manzano Street, Higuera Place, and Cirolero Street to thermoplastic ladder crosswalks.

In the long term, consider installation of physical median island across center of Higuera Place.

Washington Drive Study the merit of placing a crossing guard at the Arizona Avenue intersection.

Install double yellow centerline to discourage U‐turn movements in front of school.

Refresh existing yellow ladder crosswalks at Escuela Parkway with thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (three total).

The sidewalks on Escuela Parkway should be widened to six feet.

A crossing guard is provided at the Escuela Parkway and Washington Drive intersection.

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At uncontrolled Escuela Parkway crosswalk, install advance school crosswalk assemblies (Assembly D), school crosswalk assemblies (Assembly B), and SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils at both approaches.

Arizona Street Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk across Rose Drive to thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Refresh SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils approaching Rose Drive crosswalk.

Construct curb ramp at northeast quadrant of Midwick Drive intersection. Realign crosswalk across Arizona Street so that existing tree would not be affected.

Additional Improvements Pomeroy Elementary School is located adjacent to Thomas Russell Middle School and shares streets that are identified for improvements. These improvements are described in the recommendations section of Thomas Russell Middle School and are listed below.

Roger Street

Coelho Street

Columbus Drive

North Hillview Drive

The existing ladder crosswalk at Escuela Parkway and Rus‐ sell Lane should be refreshed.

Cones and signs are set up to direct student drop‐off and pick‐up.

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Randall Elementary School

School Information Principal: Kristian Lecours Address: 1300 Edsel Drive Enrollment: 405

Parent Survey Randall Elementary School did not participate in the parent survey.

Walk Audit On December 10, 2009, the City conducted a walk audit to identify the physical barriers to walking and biking to school. Recommendations from the walk audit are presented to the right.

Recommended Improvements Based on the walk audit and parent survey, the following infrastructure improvements are recom‐ mended:

Edsel Drive At Perry Street intersection:

Install a curb ramp on southwest corner.

Convert both existing yellow transverse crosswalks to thermoplastic ladder crosswalks.

Refresh existing STOP stencil and limit line in advance of crosswalk at southbound approach.

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil in advance of crosswalk at eastbound approach and relocate SLOW SCHOOL XING in advance crosswalk at westbound approach by removing existing stencil and providing new stencil about 100 feet in advance of school crosswalk.

Install school crosswalk warning assembly (Assembly B) at eastbound approach.

Consider installation of in‐street yield to pedestrian signs at uncontrolled crosswalk across Edsel Drive.

Add “AHEAD” to existing school warning sign in advance of crosswalk at eastbound approach to create school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D).

Install school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk at westbound approach.

Study merit of placing a crossing guard.

Refresh existing yellow ladder crosswalks at Carnegie Drive with thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (four total).

South Park Victoria Drive Consider providing a leading pedestrian interval signal phase serving crosswalks on north and south legs at Edsel Drive intersection.

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SE Rose Elementary School

School Information Principal: Nancy Pass Address: 250 Rosewell Drive Enrollment: 459

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Rose School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and biking to school. Parents returned 33 surveys, for a re‐ sponse rate of 7%.

Key Survey Findings 51% of students regularly walk to school and

7% regularly bike to school.

87% of students live within one mile of school.

Unsafe intersections is the main reason why parents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

30% of parents would allow their children to walk or bike to school is traffic congestion decreased.

Walk Audit On December 14, 2009, the City conducted a walk audit to identify physical barriers to walking and biking to school. Recommendations from this walk audit are presented on the following two pages.

How Students Get to Rose School in the Morning

Family Vehicle, 40%

Walk, 51%

Carpool, 0% Other, 2%

Bike, 7% City Bus, 0%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

6%

6% 6%

9% 12%

15% 15%

21% 21%

24% 27%

27% 30%

Before and after school activities

No sidewalks/paths Other

Too far Takes too much time

Driving is convenient No crossing guards

Traffic speed is high Bad weather

No adults to walk/bike with child Too much traffic

Crime Unsafe intersections mended:

Roswell Drive Refresh existing yellow ladder crosswalks at Canton Drive with thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (four total).

At the Ashland Drive intersection:

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk to thermoplastic ladder crosswalk and refresh exist‐ ing yellow ladder crosswalk with thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Add red curb striping on east side of street south of Ashland Drive’s crosswalk and to first resi‐ dential driveway to the north (approximately 150 feet).

Move school bus stop south from crosswalk.

As potential long‐term improvement, consider extending curbs serving uncontrolled crosswalk.

Relocate SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil in advance of crosswalk at northbound approach by remov‐ ing existing stencil and providing new stencil about 100 feet in advance of school crosswalk.

Add “AHEAD” to existing school warning sign at northbound approach to create school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) and consider relocating closer to crosswalk to increase visibility.

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil in advance of crosswalk at southbound approach.

Replace obsolete school crosswalk signs with current school crosswalk warning assemblies (Assembly B) (two total).

Install school warning assembly (Assembly A) at southern school boundary for northbound traffic.

At Edsel Drive intersection:

Refresh existing yellow ladder crosswalks with thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (four total).

Replace obsolete school crossing signs with current school crosswalk warning assemblies (Assembly B).

Install school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D) in advance crosswalk at north and south approach (two total).

Students cross at Roswell Drive.

A Milpitas Police Officer writes a ticket while enforcing school speed limit.

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Install SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils about 100 feet in advance of school crosswalk at north and south approach (two total).

Temple Drive Refresh existing yellow ladder crosswalks at South Temple Drive intersection with thermoplastic lad‐ der crosswalks (four total).

On northeast school grounds, repave path between sidewalk on South Temple Drive and path on school grounds (approximately 100 feet of asphalt).

At Wylie Drive intersection:

Relocate SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil in advance of crosswalk at southbound approach by re‐ moving existing stencil and providing new stencil about 100 feet in advance of school cross‐ walk.

Add “AHEAD” to existing school warning sign at southbound approach to create school cross‐ walk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) and consider relocating closer to crosswalk to increase visibility.

Install school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk at northbound approach.

Replace obsolete school crosswalk signs with current school crosswalk warning assemblies (Assembly B) (two total).

At Edsel Drive intersection:

Install school crosswalk warning assembly (Assembly B) (four total).

Install school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk at north and south approach (two total).

Install SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils about 100 feet in advance of school crosswalk at northbound and southbound approaches.

East Calaveras Boulevard Consider providing a leading pedestrian interval signal phase at the signalized Temple Drive intersec‐ tion.

Student valets help their peers into school.

Milpitas Police Officers, the Suggested Routes to School project team and the Principal discuss the barriers to walking and biking to school.

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School Information Principal: Stacy Espino Address: 2025 Yellowstone Drive Enrollment: 724

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Sinnott School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and bik‐ ing to school. Parents returned 73 surveys, for a response rate of 10%.

Key Survey Findings 31% of students regularly walk to school and

5% regularly bike to school.

78% of students live within a mile of school.

Bad weather is the main reason why parents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

26% of parents would allow their children to walk or bike to school if there was less crime.

Walk Audit On December 14, 2009, the City conducted a walk audit to identify the physical barriers to walking and biking to school. Recommendations from this walk audit and for Rancho Milpitas Middle School are presented on the following two pages.

How Students Get to Sinnott School in the Morning

Walk, 31% Family Vehicle, 56%

City Bus, 2%

Carpool, 4%

Bike, 5%

Other, 1%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

7%

7% 10%

11% 12%

14% 14%

16% 18%

32% 33%

33% 36%

Traffic speed is high

No crossing guards No sidewalks/paths

Other Too far

Takes too much time Too much traffic

Before and after school activities Unsafe intersections

Crime Driving is convenient

Bad weather mended:

Yellowstone Avenue At Rocky Mountain Drive intersection:

Install school crosswalk warning assemblies (Assembly B) on back of existing school crosswalk warning assemblies (two total).

Install school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk at both approaches.

Install SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils about 100 feet in advance of school crosswalk at both ap‐ proaches (two total).

Trim lower branches of tree on northwest corner to increase visibility of school crosswalk warn‐ ing assembly (Assembly B).

Add red curb striping about 50 feet from crosswalks on both approaches to improve motorist and pedestrian sight lines.

In front of school, south of Westridge Drive:

In the long term, if feasible, construct bus bay on west side to accommodate school buses and VTA transit buses. This would enable restriping Yellowstone Avenue to provide a longer northbound left turn bay into the middle school parking lot and allow southbound motorists to bypass dwelling buses more easily. This could impact a key water utility line and a mature tree.

At Westridge Drive intersection:

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalks to thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (four total).

Install stop/limit lines in advance of crosswalks (four total).

Consider providing a leading pedestrian interval signal phase serving crosswalks at the north and south legs.

At Sequoia Drive intersection:

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalks to thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (three total).

Install stop/limit lines in advance of crosswalks and refresh STOP stencils (three STOP stencils, three stop/limit lines).

Many students cross at Yellowstone Avenue and Sequoia Drive.

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In the long term, consider installing center pedestrian refuge islands at all three intersection approaches.

At the two midblock, uncontrolled crosswalks connecting Murphy Park and Yellowstone Park:

Refresh both existing yellow ladder crosswalks with thermoplastic ladder crosswalks.

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil in advance of crosswalk at westbound approach.

Install SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil about 100 feet in advance of school crosswalk at east‐ bound approach.

In the long term, consider constructing a raised crosswalk at western uncontrolled crossing, connecting the path through Murphy Park with the path that runs west of Rancho Middle and Sinnott Schools.

South Park Victoria Drive At Mount Shasta Avenue intersection :

Replace pedestrian crosswalk warning signs with school crosswalk warning assemblies (Assembly B) (four total).

Install yield lines and “Yield Here to Pedestrian” signs 20 to 50 feet in advance of crosswalk on both approaches.

Install pedestrian‐actuated beacon, if warranted.

In the, long term, restrict left turns on north leg, construct raised pedestrian refuge island on north leg, and install in‐roadway pedestrian warning signs.

Rancho Milpitas Middle School Grounds Consider construction of a multi‐use pathway to upgrade existing informal diagonal path from north‐ west school boundary at Yellowstone Avenue to school building.

Student valets help their peers into their parent’s cars during afternoon pick‐up.

A crossing guard helps students cross Westridge Drive.

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Spangler Elementary School School Information Principal: Normajean McClellan Address: 140 North Abbott Avenue Enrollment: 589

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Spangler School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and biking to school. Parents returned 73 surveys, for a response rate of 12%.

Key Survey Findings 27% of students regularly walk to school and

2% regularly bike.

59% of students live within one mile of school.

No adults to chaperone their children and living too far away are the main reasons why parent do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

16% of parents would allow their children to walk or bike to school if parent chaperones were available.

Walk Audit On December 10, 2009, the City conducted a walk audit to identify physical barriers to walking and biking to school. Recommendations from this walk audit are presented on the following two pages.

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How Students Get to Spangler School in the Morning

Walk, 27%

Family Vehicle, 56%

Bike, 2%

School Bus, 7%

Carpool, 7%

Other, 1%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

3%

3% 3%

8% 11%

18% 18%

22% 24%

26% 26%

29% 29%

Other

No sidewalks/paths Before and after school activities

No crossing guards Traffic speed is high

Takes too much time Bad weather

Crime Driving is convenient

Unsafe intersections Too much traffic

Too far mended:

North Abbott Avenue Consider installation of traffic calming treatments between Rudyard Drive and Spence Avenue.

Consider provision of a road diet treatment between Serra Way and Spence Avenue.

Install a double yellow centerline between Rudyard Drive and Spence Avenue to discourage U‐ turn movements in front of the school.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk at Krismer Street to thermoplastic ladder cross‐ walk.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk at Smithwood Street to thermoplastic ladder cross‐ walk.

Refresh existing yellow ladder crosswalks at Rudyard Drive intersection with thermoplastic lad‐ der crosswalks and refresh existing STOP stencils and limit lines (four total).

Install school warning assembly (Assembly A) at southern school boundary .

At Heath Street/Spence Avenue intersection:

Consider calming the intersection by removing travel lanes, installing pedestrian refuge islands, channelizing movements, etc.

Replace obsolete school crosswalk warning signs with current school crosswalk warning assem‐ bly (Assembly B) (two total).

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils (two total).

Add “AHEAD” to existing school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk at southbound approach.

Install school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk at northbound approach.

Rudyard Drive In the long term, consider widening sidewalk from four feet to six feet between North Abbott Avenue and Casper Street.

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At Barker Street intersection:

Install curb ramp at southwest corner.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalks to thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (three to‐ tal).

Refresh both existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils.

Install school crosswalk warning assembly (Assembly B) at east and west crosswalks (two to‐ tal).

Add “AHEAD” to existing school warning sign at eastbound approach to create crosswalk ad‐ vance warning assembly (Assembly D).

Replace obsolete advance school crosswalk sign with current school crosswalk advance warn‐ ing assembly (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk at westbound approach.

Casper Street At Rudyard Drive intersection:

Install curb ramp on southeast corner.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk on south side of intersection to thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Install school crosswalk warning assembly (Assembly B) for northbound traffic.

Replace both obsolete advance school crosswalk signs with current school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D).

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils.

On school grounds, install lockable gate at pathway entrance at back of school (north of Spence Ave‐ nue) and modify bollard placement to enable bicycle passage.

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Weller Elementary School How Students Get to Weller School in the Morning

Walk, 35%

Family Vehicle, 48%

Other, 1%

Carpool, 8%

Bike, 8%

School Bus, 1%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

2%

3% 5%

5% 7%

10% 11%

12% 14%

18% 27%

27% 30%

No sidewalks/paths

Other Before and after school activities

No crossing guards Traffic speed is high

Too much traffic Takes too much time

Too far Unsafe intersections

Driving is convenient No adults to walk/bike with child

Crime Bad weather

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School Information Principal: Damon James Address: 345 Boulder Street Enrollment: 424

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Weller School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and bik‐ ing to school. Parents returned 130 surveys, for a response rate of 31%.

Key Survey Findings 35% of students regularly walk to school and

8% of students regularly bike to school.

81% of students live within one mile of school.

Bad weather and crime are the main reasons why parents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

19% of parents would allow their children to walk or bike to school if parent chaperones were available.

Walk Audit On September 17, 2009 the City conducted a walk audit to identify physical barriers to walking or biking to school. Recommendations from the walk audit are described on the next two pages.

Based on the walk audit and parent survey, we recommend the following infrastructure improve‐ ments:

Boulder Street Consider installation of in‐street yield to pedestrian sign at midblock crosswalk in front of school.

Add “AHEAD” to both existing school warning signs in advance of midblock crosswalk to create school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D).

Dixon Road Consider road diet treatment from Arizona Avenue to east end. Consider extending road diet further west to North Milpitas Boulevard, if appropriate.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalks to ladder thermoplastic crosswalks.

Refresh stop lines and STOP stencils at Arizona Avenue (four total).

At midblock crosswalk at west end of school grounds, east of Vegas Avenue:

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk to thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Replace both obsolete school crosswalk signs with current school crosswalk warning assem‐ blies (Assembly B).

Install school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk at westbound approach.

Add “AHEAD” to existing school warning sign just east of Conway Street to create school cross‐ walk advance warning assembly (Assembly D).

Recommended Improvements

Student valets at Weller School assist with drop‐off and pick‐up traffic flow.

Students cross near the Dixon/Vegas intersection.

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Arizona Avenue Add “AHEAD” signs to existing school warning signs in advance of uncontrolled crosswalk at Boulder

Street to create school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D) (two total).

Coelho Street Add “AHEAD” to existing school warning sign in advance of crosswalk at Cortez Street at eastbound ap‐ proach to create school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D).

Crossing restrictions in front of the school prevent students from crossing outside of a crosswalk.

The uncontrolled crossing of Dixon Road at Vegas Avenue is difficult to see.

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Zanker Elementary School How Students Get to Zanker School in the Morning

Walk, 28% Family Vehicle, 59%

Other, 2% Carpool, 2%

Bike, 9%

School Bus, 2%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

7%

7% 11%

13% 16%

18% 18%

20% 20%

29% 31%

36% 40%

No sidewalks/paths

Other Before and after school activities

No crossing guards Bad weather

Traffic speed is high Crime

Too far Takes too much time

Unsafe intersections Too much traffic

Driving is convenient No adults to walk/bike with child

School Information Principal: Kathy Doi Address: 1584 Fallen Leaf Drive Enrollment: 549

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Zanker School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and biking to school. Parents returned 45 surveys, for a response rate of 8%.

Key Survey Findings 28% of students regularly walk to school and 9% of students regularly bike to school.

63% of students live within one mile of school.

No adults to chaperone their children is the main reason why parents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

24% of parents would allow their children to walk or bike to school if parent chaperones were available.

Walk Audit On December 10, 2009 the City conducted a walk audit to indentify the physical barriers to walking and biking to school. Recommenda‐ tions from this walk audit are presented on the following two pages.

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On School Grounds Adjust bicycle cage fence at school driveway to enable wider sidewalk passage into school.

Fallen Leaf Drive In the long term, consider widening sidewalk from four feet to six feet or more on west side of street from Cedar Way to Greenwood Way.

At the Greenwood Way intersection:

Modify curb ramp on northwest corner or restripe crosswalks to enable ADA‐compliance.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalks to thermoplastic ladder crosswalks (three total).

Replace obsolete advance school crosswalk sign and school crosswalk sign with current school crosswalk advance warning assembly (Assembly D) and current school crosswalk warning assem‐ bly (Assembly B), for both approaches.

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencils on both approaches.

Add red curb striping at east side of Fallen Leaf Drive north of intersection to improve motorist and pedestrian sight lines.

Install double yellow centerline between Cedar Way and Greenwood Way to discourage U‐turn move‐ ments.

Install school warning assembly (Assembly A) for southbound traffic north of Cedar Way.

At Cedar Way intersection, convert both existing yellow transverse crosswalks to thermoplastic ladder crosswalks and refresh existing STOP stencils and limit lines.

Greenwood Way In the long term, consider widening sidewalk from four feet to six feet or more on north side of street from Fallen Leaf Drive to school driveway.

Install double yellow centerline between Fallen Leaf Drive and Pinewood Way to discourage U‐turn movements in front of school.

A crossing guard waits at Fallen Leaf Drive and Greenwood Way.

Tricycles are set up for students to practice riding skills.

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At the midblock crosswalk in front of school:

Install curb ramps on both sides.

Add red curb striping on both sides to improve motorist and pedestrian sight lines.

Convert existing yellow transverse crosswalk to thermoplastic ladder crosswalk.

Refresh existing SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil in advance of crosswalk at northbound ap‐ proach.

Relocate SLOW SCHOOL XING stencil in advance crosswalk at southbound approach by re‐ moving existing stencil and providing new stencil about 100 feet in advance of school cross‐ walk.

Install school crosswalk advance warning assemblies (Assembly D) in advance of crosswalk and school crosswalk warning assemblies (Assembly B) at crosswalk (two Assembly D and two Assembly B).

South Main Street Study the merit of placing a crossing guard at Cedar Way.

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Rancho Milpitas Middle School How Students Get to Rancho Milpitas in the Morning

Walk, 33%

Family Vehicle, 51%

Bike, 3%

Carpool, 5%

City Bus, 8%

Other, 0%

Reasons Why Parents Don't Let Their Children Walk or Bike to School

4%

10% 12%

14% 16%

18% 18%

24% 24%

25% 27%

29% 31%

Other

Before and after school activities No sidewalks/paths

Driving is convenient No crossing guards

Traffic speed is high Too much traffic

Unsafe intersections Crime

Bad weather No adults to walk/bike with child

Takes too much time Too far

School Information Principal: Leticia Villa‐Gascon Address: 1915 Yellowstone Drive Enrollment: 703

Parent Survey In fall 2009, Rancho Milpitas School parents were asked to fill out a survey about barriers to walking and biking to school. Parents re‐ turned 51 surveys, for a response rate of 7%.

Key Survey Findings 33% of students regularly walk to school and 3% regularly bike to school.

41% of students live within one mile of school.

Living too far is the main reason why par‐ ents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school.

25% of parents would allow their children to walk or bike to school if the City con‐ structed more sidewalks.

Walk Audit On December 14, 2009, the City conducted a walk audit to identify barriers to walking and biking to school.

Recommendations Rancho Milpitas Middle School is located adja‐ cent to Sinnott Elementary School and shares streets that are identified for improvements.

These improvements are described in the rec‐ ommendations section of Sinnott Elementary.

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