Stop u-turns on Pennsylvania Ave!

[bluerider]

This morning I posted on follow-up to my article in the comments section on Greater Greater Washington with new information that came to light after the article was published. I wanted to make it available here: It is as follows:

I wanted to thank everyone for commenting on my article and not letting the discussion fall into “cyclists never follow the law” comments.

After this article was published, sources at DDOT confirmed they botched the Zebra installation. When DDOT re-stripped the cycle track a few years ago, the contractor they hired did the work incorrectly and did not follow the approved plans. Each stripped box on both sides is 5 feet too long. DDOT didn’t bother to inspect or notice the contractor’s non-compliance with the approved plans. At the time, this had no real consequences.

When DDOT designed the construction plans to install Zebras, they used the design plans for the striping which did not match the actually stripping on the pavement. The approved DDOT construction plans call for a 10 foot separation (each zebra in the middle of each stripped box). However, because each stripped box is 5 feet too long and DDOT staff installing the Zebras didn’t use a measuring tape, the actually separation on the pavement is 15 feet.

Zicla, the Zebra manufacturer, recommends a minimum separation of 8.2 feet. The combined mistakes from DDOT on the botched stripping work, using plans that didn’t match the reality on the ground, and an inability to use a measuring tape during installation results in a separation distance that is almost double what the manufacturer recommends.

Yesterday, after being asked twice if DDOT was going to fix the problem and adjust the separation, they have ducked the question each time. Will they fix their mistakes or just make the cycling community live with it. It is still unknown.

Regardless, thank you for taking the time to read the article and provide your opinion. By speaking up for better cycling infrastructure, it helps cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers have a better and safer experience on DC’s streets.

Ryan Sigworth AICP

[DCLiz]

Well, this is probably unworkable for some reason, but why not add a painted stripe so that the boxes are 7 1/2 feet long, and then reinstall the zebras in the new boxes? This would solve the aesthetics that DDOT has cited, and would allow for installation of the zebras within the manufacturer’s specifications.

I mean, since the painting was already done incorrectly, it doesn’t have to be redone to the 10′ plan, which was probably conceived before the zebras were an option.

[bluerider]

Good idea. It’s totally reasonable. I will suggest that next time I get a chance specifically if the Zebras are extended to the whole bike lane.

[TwoWheelsDC]

They need to tell the HPRB to suck it, and go full HOT lane:

[dbb]

@TwoWheelsDC 68197 wrote:

They need to tell the HPRB to suck it, and go full HOT lane:

Now we know where all those PA Ave bollards likely went!

[jabberwocky]

@bluerider 68193 wrote:

After this article was published, sources at DDOT confirmed they botched the Zebra installation. When DDOT re-stripped the cycle track a few years ago, the contractor they hired did the work incorrectly and did not follow the approved plans. Each stripped box on both sides is 5 feet too long. DDOT didn’t bother to inspect or notice the contractor’s non-compliance with the approved plans. At the time, this had no real consequences.

Gasp! A contractor not installing something per approved plans? UNPOSSIBLE!

Sorry, a little architect humor for you.

[mstone]

Could DDOT provide guidelines for when their aesthetic sensibilities will trump safety considerations?

[My mind is boggling that they are more concerned about whether the zebras fit nicely into the lines than whether people are safe.]

[mstone]

@jabberwocky 68200 wrote:

Gasp! A contractor not installing something per approved plans? UNPOSSIBLE!

Sorry, a little architect humor for you.

Hmm. So the contractor did less work, and got paid the same? Would you expect them not to take that option?

[jabberwocky]

@mstone 68202 wrote:

Hmm. So the contractor did less work, and got paid the same? Would you expect them not to take that option?

Well, in the private sector someone would be checking their work, and they’d be redoing things on their own dime if they deviated from the drawings. Apparently things work differently in the public sector.

[jrenaut]

@mstone 68201 wrote:

Could DDOT provide guidelines for when their aesthetic sensibilities will trump safety considerations?

[My mind is boggling that they are more concerned about whether the zebras fit nicely into the lines than whether people are safe.]

I think this was just incompetence. The paint was done wrong, and they based the zebras on the paint. It’s not that they decided to put them too far apart, it’s that no one takes any pride in anything and there’s no oversight.

[DCLiz]

I haven’t been commuting regularly due to injury, but the above-normal temperatures today inspired me to ride part of the way home (yay for bikeshare for facilitating a spur-of-the-moment commute) and I was able to check out the zebras in person. Wow! Pictures do not do them justice. They are much taller than they look in pictures. I would NOT want to drive my car over them. Now let’s get them installed properly!

[jrenaut]

I’m on WJLA!

This is NOT an issue of how far apart they are. This is an issue of the zebras being entirely inadequate to prevent illegal turns. If they put them six inches apart it still wouldn’t make a difference.

[jrenaut]

Anyone know if it’s possible to get data on the number of tickets given out for PA Ave u-turns? Is that info that MPD makes available? Or would be available through a FOIA request?

[baiskeli]

@jabberwocky 68205 wrote:

Well, in the private sector someone would be checking their work, and they’d be redoing things on their own dime if they deviated from the drawings. Apparently things work differently in the public sector.

“At the time, this had no real consequences.”

[americancyclo]

@jrenaut 68215 wrote:

I’m on WJLA!

This is NOT an issue of how far apart they are. This is an issue of the zebras being entirely inadequate to prevent illegal turns. If they put them six inches apart it still wouldn’t make a difference.

Nice! Although all the low-angle b-roll that was used makes it look like the zebras are MUCH closer to the casual viewer. The only real shot that conveys it is the long shot of Hatzel standing in between two zebras.

[Author]

Posts