2022 AIA Communities by Design Reimagining Petaluma SDAT - Report - Page 11
Petaluma DAT
shade, seating, shelter, and serenity; and wayfinding that
improves the legibility of the transportation system.
Critical Next Step
Conduct a corridor study that emphasizes safety,
environmental sustainability, and placemaking over
motor vehicle throughput.
Address the road, rail, and river
In addition to Washington Street, several other physical
barriers currently prevent safe and comfortable travel for
people walking and people bicycling, including: the City's
high-speed roads (e.g., McDowell Boulevard, Ely Street,
Lakeville Highway), the SMART rail, and the Petaluma
River.
Some existing at-grade crossings between Petaluma's
paved trails and high-speed roads require trail users
to take indirect, uncomfortable, and time-consuming
routes to continue on their way.
While Petaluma has successfully installed crosswalk
markings, signs, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons
(RRFBs) at mid-block locations and intersections,
activated RRFBs do not legally require motorists to stop
or yield. They can also result in multiple-threat scenarios
on multi-lane roadways where stopped motorists may
obscure the view of approaching motorists, increasing
the likelihood that motorists will strike crossing
pedestrians.
Implementation
To mitigate and remove these barriers, the City should
improve existing at-grade crossings for roadways,
invest in grade-separated crossings between trails and
roadways, and construct new grade-separated crossings
for the SMART rail, Petaluma River, and roadways where
high-comfort crossings can't be constructed at grade.
The City can update their street design and construction
standards to include standard details for intersections
and crossings that prioritize space, geometry, and
operations for people walking and people bicycling.
Conceptual rendering of an improved Washington Street, featuring a tree-lined, bike-and-pedestrian friendly narrowed roadway.
8
