2022 AIA Communities by Design Reimagining Petaluma SDAT - Report - Page 12
Petaluma DAT
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Proposed cross-town connectors, such as the ones to
extend Rainier Avenue and Caufield Lane, must prioritize
walking and bicycling to prevent them from becoming
future barriers to active transportation.
Crossings for paved trails (e.g., the Lynch Creek Trail)
should prioritize safety and convenience for pedestrians
and bicyclists traveling along the trail. At-grade
crossings with high-volume, high-speed roadways deter
trail usage.
Critical Next Step
Study and prioritize at-grade crossings for upgrades or
grade separation.
Make sidewalks and curb ramps accessible
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that all
public facilities comply with the United States Access
Board's Accessibility Guidelines. The Accessibility
Guidelines include guidance for curb ramps, sidewalks,
paved trails, crossings, intersections, and bus stops.
Many of Petaluma's sidewalks, curb ramps, and bus
stops require upgrades to be accessible to people
with disabilities while also benefiting other travelers
such as children on bicycles and people with strollers.
While the City owns sidewalks in the public rightof-way, Petaluman property owners currently bear
the responsibility to repair and maintain them. This
arrangement often results in broken and uneven
sidewalks that property owners—especially low-income
homeowners—are unable to pay to repair.
Narrow existing roadways to reduce them as barriers to active transportation.
reconstruction project in downtown Petaluma. Historic
disinvestment or lack of investment should influence the
prioritization process to advance the City's social equity
goals. The City should then assume responsibility for
these repairs, since sidewalks are public infrastructure
and the expectation that homeowners would pay for
repairs disproportionately impacts low-income people.
The City can more efficiently install ADA-compliant
curb ramps by including them in their regular street
resurfacing program. This would streamline local efforts
to improve crossings by consolidating the installation of
signs, pavement markings, and curb ramps.
Critical Next Step
Prioritize sidewalks, curb ramps, and bus stops outside
of downtown for repair and upgrades.
Upgrade intersections and crossings
Crossing design and traffic signal operations greatly
affect the pedestrian experience, since the threat of
being struck by motorists is a major source of discomfort
and can be a deterrent for walking trips. Driveways,
intersections, and traffic signals should clearly
communicate right of way, minimize through and turning
motorist speeds, and reduce conflict points.
Implementation
Furthermore, the City's annual resurfacing program
currently only addresses the pavement between the
curbs and doesn't include constructing new curb ramps
or reconstructing non-ADA-compliant curb ramps.
To upgrade infrastructure and signal operations at
intersections and crossings, the City should integrate
pedestrian recall (always) and Leading Pedestrian
Intervals (where high pedestrian volumes are expected
or desired). The City should also use the Federal
Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Guide for Improving
Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations
to determine the best crossing treatments based on
roadway characteristics
Implementation
Critical Next Step
The City of Petaluma should identify and prioritize
sidewalks and curb ramps that require repair or
reconstruction to comply with the Accessibility
Guidelines, beyond the ongoing curb ramp
Study and prioritize crossings and signalized
intersections for pedestrian upgrades.
