SB2019

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2019
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
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 department of transportation recently initiated the Walk Wise Hawaii campaign to increase awareness of pedestrian safety in Hawaii. Part of the initiative is aimed at teaching children how to safely cross the street. According to an article published in the Honolulu Advertiser, in the Kalihi area alone, eleven children aged four to twelve were involved in pedestrian accidents during school hours between 2000 and 2004. A 2004 report conducted 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 motor vehicles.

Speed tables are a traffic calming measure that can be used around elementary schools to reduce vehicle speed and alert drivers of pedestrians. For instance, speed tables are currently in use near the Village Park elementary school. Speed tables are long raised speed humps with a flat section in the middle and ramps on the ends, and can be used as a crosswalk. It is reported that speed tables increase pedestrian visibility and reduce traffic collisions. The cost of each speed table varies from $2,000 upwards depending on whether other enhancements, such as textured pavement, are made.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of transportation to conduct a pilot study in collaboration with the police department of the city and county of Honolulu to:

(1) Identify the five elementary schools on Oahu that experience the highest volume of traffic accidents within a one mile radius of each school;

(2) Install speed tables in appropriate areas around each elementary school as a traffic calming measure; and

(3) Evaluate whether the speed tables reduce accidents.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of transportation shall conduct a pilot study in collaboration with the police department of the city and county of Honolulu to:

(1) Identify the five elementary schools on Oahu that experience the highest volume of accidents within a one mile radius of each elementary school;

(2) Install speed tables in appropriate areas around each elementary school as a traffic calming measure; and

(3) Evaluate whether the speed tables reduce accidents.

(b) The department of transportation shall submit a report to the legislature on the results of the pilot study no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2010 regular session.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the department of transportation to conduct a pilot study pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

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, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________