From October to December of 2021, Town Vision Zero staff, in partnership with community organizations the Marion Cheek Jackson Center, EmPOWERment Inc, and the Good Neighbor Initiative conducted community outreach to understand what street safety concerns neighbors in Northside had. 

Outreach efforts included digital and print surveys, community meetings, and a neighborhood walking tour. Neighbors voiced their concerns about speeds, unsafe intersections, and wrong-way driving, among others.

A progress report on the concerns voiced is available here: Northside-Street-Safety_Progress-Report

To address speeds and unsafe intersections, the Town is implementing its first tactical urbanism curb extension project. Learn more about tactical urbanism projects in the following section.

WHAT DOES A CURB EXTENSION DO?

Narrow the roadway: Curb extensions physically narrow roadways at intersections, making streets safer to cross for pedestrians. They also serve as a visual cue to drivers that they need to drive with care.

Tighten intersections: Curb extensions encourage drivers to turn more slowly, and they increase visibility without impacting parking for residents or access for emergency vehicles.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT A CURB EXTENSION?

Drivers should treat these as paved curbs, observing the same lane safety as in a standard intersection, and should watch for pedestrians crossing. Pedestrians should continue to use care at these intersections, and should watch for drivers navigating a new traffic pattern.

Below: a digital rendering of a curb extension at the intersection of Sykes St and Whitaker

Vison Zero Chapel Hill employs tactical urbanism to pilot street safety improvements in response to data-informed analysis and resident engagement.

What is Tactical Urbanism?

Tactical urbanism is a neighborhood-scale effort to improve street safety and design of public spaces. Tactical urbanism uses temporary, low-cost materials that allow for flexibility of design. 

Why is Tactical Urbanism Important?

Tactical urbanism provides an opportunity for neighborhoods and communities to provide input on street safety, and allows Town staff to test the effectiveness of safety solutions before committing to long-term, cost-intensive investments.

What are Tactical Urbanism Projects Used For?

Tactical urbanism projects are designed to improve safety for Chapel Hill's most vulnerable road users, to encourage Chapel Hill divers, walkers, bicyclists and all road users to safely share public space, and to deepen the community understanding of street safety needs, priorities and solutions at a neighborhood scale.

The Town of Chapel Hill, in partnership with NCDOT, recently installed a pilot gateway treatment  at the crosswalk at 405 MLK Jr. Blvd, just north of North Street and Rosemary Street. This intersection, like many in Town, currently has a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB).

WHAT DOES A GATEWAY TREATMENT DO?

Visually narrow the roadway: Using flexible posts between travel lanes in advance of a crosswalk functions to visually narrow the roadway without physically narrowing the lanes. This allows large vehicles (buses, emergency vehicles, freight) to continue to safely use the lane. Drivers have been shown to naturally slow their speeds when there is a visual narrowing of the lane with vertical elements like flexible posts. 

Deter lane shifting: Vertical elements like the flexible posts deter drivers from shifting lanes as they approach a crosswalk. Vehicles that shift lanes have limited visibility of pedestrians in the crosswalk.

WHAT IS A PILOT?

Piloting projects means testing a treatment and analyzing the results. Town staff will assess the effectiveness of this treatment at increasing yield rates, deterring lane shifting, and slowing traffic through the crosswalk. If a pilot proves to be effective, it can be expanded to other sites.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT A GATEWAY TREATMENT?

Drivers should approach the gateway treatment with care, observing lane safety and speed limits, and should watch for pedestrians crossing. Pedestrians should continue to use care at these intersections, and should watch for drivers navigating a new traffic pattern.

Below: The gateway treatment includes a solid strip between travel lanes and vertical, flexible posts leading up the to crosswalk.

We’ve included some of the most applicable North Carolina statutes that apply to bicycle and pedestrian safety below!

SPEED LIMITS

Town of Chapel Hill Speed Limits, unless marked, are 25 MPH citywide. Speed is the most important factor on our road to zero. Pedestrians struck by a vehicle traveling 20 MPH have a 90% survival rate. When speeds are increased to 40 MPH, that survival rate falls to 10%.

RIGHT-OF-WAY

Drivers should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, stop signs, red lights, and flashing red and yellow lights. (G.S. 20-158)

Drivers should not pass or overtake a vehicle that is stopped for a legal yield to pedestrian. (G.S. 20-173)

Pedestrians should not start crossing signalized crosswalks unless they show “WALK”. (G.S. 20-172)

CELL PHONES

It is illegal for drivers to text or use a hand-held mobile device while driving. (G.S. 20-137) It is illegal for drivers under 18 to use any mobile device while driving. (G.S. 20-137.3)

PASSING A BICYCLE

Drivers making a legal pass of a slower traveling bicycle must provide at least 4 feet clearance when passing, or enter completely the left lane. (G.S. 20-150(e))

BICYCLING ON THE ROAD

When riding on a public road, bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of the driver of a vehicle. (G.S. 20)

LAMPS ON BICYCLES

When riding at night on public roads, bicyclists are required to have front (white) and rear (red) lamps visible up to 300 feet. (G.S. 20-129(e))

SIGNALING

Bicyclists should use their left hand, if able, for the following signals:

• Left turn - hand and arm horizontal, forefinger pointing.
• Right turn - upper arm horizontal, forearm and hand pointed upward.
• Stop - upper arm horizontal, forearm and hand pointed downward.

ANTI-DOORING

The Town passed an anti-dooring ordinance which aims to protect bicyclists and pedestrians riding, rolling, and walking past stopped vehicles.

The ordinance makes it illegal for someone to hit, or "door," a bicyclist, or pedestrian, or otherwise interfere with moving traffic while opening a vehicle door. Violating the ordinance could bring a $500 fine or as many as 30 days in jail.

To follow the law and prevent dooring, be sure to use the Dutch Reach method when exiting your vehicle.

The 2019 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, a product of the Road To Zero pilot program, lays out strategies to turn the Road to Zero commitment into a reality. Town staff are committed to transparently reporting Road to Zero implementation strategies and progress.

See the full Action Plan here.

Safe Streets Interventions

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Chapel Hill and all cities face an unprecedented crisis that impacts all facets of life, including travel, transportation, social gathering, and so much more. Now more than ever, we recognize the immense importance of streets and open space as safe places for gathering, commuting, and patronizing local businesses. In an effort to create more public realm space, so that residents and visitors can safely travel, socialize, and shop local while observing social distancing guidelines, the Town has enacted the following initiatives:

	Franklin Street Lane Reallocation:   To support the downtown community through the challenges created by COVID-19 and ensure space for social distancing, the Town Council passed an ordinance allowing for increased sidewalk dining, a pedestrian walkway in the street, and reduced travel lanes on Franklin Street.
	Temporary Multi-Use Path Pilot:  Installing temporary on-street, multi-use paths encourages active transportation by creating more space for people to walk, run, and roll while complying with COVID-19 safety guidelines. Pilot sites included: Booker Creek Rd. to Honeysuckle Rd to Lakeshore Ln. Cleland Dr. from Hayes Rd. to Burning Tree Dr.

Each of us plays a role in Chapel Hill’s Road to Zero and keeping our roads safe — whether we are driving, walking, or biking. Here are a few tips and practices that, if we all follow, will help Chapel Hill stay a safe place to walk, bike, and drive. Scroll down for a refresher on Our Laws.

DRIVERS

YIELD for pedestrians in crosswalks, even if it is not marked.

YIELD to pedestrians and cyclists when turning.

SLOW DOWN when approaching crosswalks, at night or during bad weather, and in areas with children.

AVOID distractions like texting or eating or shaving (seriously, it happens).

OBEY posted traffic signs and signals.

SHARE THE ROAD with all users!

PEDESTRIANS

LOOK for turning cars, backing cars, and traffic in both directions.

WALK facing traffic.

WEAR one or no earphones.

USE CAUTION when exiting the bus, in parking lots and at intersections.

BE SEEN. Have a lamp on hand and avoid wearing dark clothing when walking or running at dark.

OBEY posted traffic signs and signals.

SHARE THE ROAD with all users!

CYCLISTS

LOOK for drivers when turning or changing lanes.

RIDE with traffic, using hand signals, and with a helmet.

WEAR one or no earphones.

BE SEEN. Use front and rear lamps, and consider bright or reflective clothing at night.

OBEY posted traffic signs and signals.

SHARE THE ROAD with all users!

Chapel Hill's Vision Zero Task Force advises the implementation of the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. The Task Force advises on equity, public engagement, safe routes to school and data analysis. It is comprised of representatives from Chapel Hill’s historically vulnerable or underserved populations, transportation, transit, public health, police, youth services, homeless services, eldercare, UNC, policy advisers, and community advocates.

Chapel Hill's Vision Zero Executive Committee sets the vision for Vision Zero programming and is comprised of agency and department heads from Chapel Hill and Town stakeholders.