SB1191 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1191
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to pedestrian safety.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The 2004 Elderly Pedestrian Integration Report prepared by SMS Research & Marketing Services, Inc. for the department of transportation indicated that there are approximately five hundred sixty pedestrian injuries in Hawaii each year, and that an average of twenty-eight pedestrians die each year after being struck by a car. Elderly pedestrians, age sixty-five and older, constituted the highest number of pedestrian fatalities when compared to all other age groups in Hawaii.

The length of a flashing indication (hand symbol) is calculated based on the length of the crosswalk and the nationally recognized average walking speed of pedestrians.

However, elderly pedestrians need more time to cross major intersections due to diminishing physical abilities. Considering that an elderly pedestrian generally crosses the street at a slower walking speed, limited timeframes to cross the street safely put elderly pedestrians at risk.

Recently, AARP Hawaii staff, volunteers, and community partners gathered at intersections across Hawaii to conduct "walkability" assessments along many of Hawaii's busiest streets and identified many intersections where the timeframes to cross the street safely were too short. Hawaii's elderly pedestrians should not have to rush to cross the street. The length of a flashing indication should be sufficient for elderly pedestrians to cross the street safely.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of transportation to conduct a pilot study to identify intersections where the time to cross the intersection is insufficient for elderly pedestrians, and to appropriate funds for the implementation of the pilot study.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of transportation shall conduct a pilot study to identify state and county intersections where the time to cross the intersection is insufficient for elderly pedestrians.

(b) The department of transportation shall focus its study on:

(1) Impacts on current traffic volumes when pedestrians walk times are lengthened and potential countermeasures for the negative effects on traffic; and

(2) Communities having insufficient timeframes for elderly persons to cross the street safely.

(1) Contract out the study to a private contractor; and

(2) Involve the city and county of Honolulu, department of transportation services, as appropriate.

(d) The department of transportation shall submit an interim report to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 regular session and a final report, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, for the department of transportation to conduct a pilot study to identify state and county intersections where the time to cross the intersection is insufficient for elderly pedestrians.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.