CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION requesting the Seattle Department of Transportation develop a traffic signals policy.
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WHEREAS, the City of Seattle (“City”) is committed to investing in improving all modes of transportation; and
WHEREAS, most of us are pedestrians at some point during our daily routines, whether crossing a parking lot, rolling to a bus stop, or walking a dog around the block; and
WHEREAS, from toddlerhood to old age, walking and rolling provide a critical link to our communities; and
WHEREAS, all people deserve traffic signals that allow them to walk and roll safely and with dignity; and
WHEREAS, on March 31, 2017, the City adopted Resolution 31739, committing to become a more age-friendly city under criteria established by the World Health Organization and the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities; and
WHEREAS, some signals are timed to prioritize cars instead of people walking, biking, or taking transit; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) does not have an overarching signals policy to guide decisions; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT:
Section 1. The City Council requests that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) develop a new signals policy. The signals policy should include standards for, but not be limited to, maximum total cycle length, maximum pedestrian delay, concurrent walk phase with vehicular travel, leading pedestrian intervals, all way walks, signal actuation policy including a default for non-actuation and labeling of actuated signals, an “extra time to cross” button pilot, half-signal delay policy, crossing time measurement standards, and bicycle detection. The City Council requests that SDOT submit a draft of the signals policy in writing to the City Council by December 1, 2019.
Section 2. The City Council requests that SDOT develop a plan for engaging stakeholders on the draft signals policy described in Section 1 of this resolution. The plan for stakeholder engagement should include opportunities for collaboration with the Pedestrian Advisory Board, Transit Advisory Board, Bicycle Advisory Board, disability rights advocates, walking and biking advocacy organizations, City Council staff, and incorporate general public input. The City Council requests that SDOT submit the stakeholder engagement plan in writing to the City Council by December 1, 2019.
Section 3. The City Council requests that SDOT consider the feedback of stakeholders and submit the final signals policy in writing to the City Council by June 1, 2020.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)