Martin Luther King Jr. Way Vision Zero Quick Build

Type: Transportation

Status: Planning

Project Location

Martin Luther King Jr. Way (MLK) intersections, from Dwight Way to Russell Street:

MLK Jr Way/Dwight Way
MLK Jr Way/Blake Street
MLK Jr Way/Parker Street
MLK Jr Way/Carleton Street
MLK Jr Way/Derby Street
MLK Jr Way/Ward Street
MLK Jr Way/Stuart Street
MLK Jr Way/Oregon Street
MLK Jr Way/Russell Street

WHAT'S HAPPENING

The primary goal of this project is to improve pedestrian crossing safety along Martin Luther King Jr. Way between Russell Street and Dwight Way in the South Berkeley neighborhood.

Residents of South Berkeley crossing Martin Luther King Jr. Way on foot encounter traffic safety issues such as fast-moving, heavy vehicle traffic, trucks, buses, and lack of gaps in traffic to cross the street safely. Currently, the pedestrian crossings of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Dwight Way to Russell Street have pedestrian signal heads at traffic signals and marked crosswalks throughout. Still, they would benefit from additional infrastructure to assist people in crossing the street on foot.

These issues have been documented in the Berkeley Vision Zero Action Plan (2020) and the Berkeley Pedestrian Plan (2021), where Martin Luther King Jr Way is identified as a high-injury street for severe and fatal traffic crashes involving pedestrians.

In response to these issues, on May 28, 2019, the Berkeley City Council referred to the budget process a request for funding of traffic safety improvements at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Stuart Street. On June 30, 2020, the Berkeley City Council approved a grant application for pedestrian crossing safety improvements along Martin Luther King Jr. Way between Russell Street and Dwight Way.

Proposed improvements from the Berkeley Pedestrian Plan (2021) include signal modifications to eliminate conflicts between left-turning vehicles and pedestrians crossing the street, installing new pedestrian crossing Rectangular Rapid-flashing Beacons, improving pedestrian visibility using red curbs, night lighting, constructing corner sidewalk “bulbouts,” and median pedestrian refuge islands.

Existing Conditions

Speeding
Motorist-pedestrian collisions
Limited sightlines
Low rate of motorists yielding to pedestrians
Long crossing distances for pedestrians

Project Goals

Improve pedestrian safety along MLK Jr Way
Address the issues identified in the existing conditions
Implement the Berkeley Vision Zero Action Plan (2020) and the Berkeley Pedestrian Plan (2020) (Chapter 3). Public outreach through the development of these plans had identified proposed improvements to MLK Jr way.

Project Elements

Note: Not all of these elements will be installed at each of the project intersections.

Improving sightlines through red curbing the approaches at crosswalks
Pedestrian refuge islands
Hardened centerlines
High-visibility crosswalks
Advanced yield markings and signage
Rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB)
Lighting at crosswalks

Quick-Build

What is a “quick-build” project?

This is the definition from the California Active Transportation Program (ATP):

Quick-Build projects are interim capital improvement projects that further the goals of the ATP. These projects do require minor construction activities but are built with durable, low to moderate cost materials, and last from one year to five years. These projects have moderate design flexibility to anticipate some adjustments that may occur. The purpose of a Quick-Build project is to immediately implement safety needs, allowing a community to benefit quickly from improvements made, and allowing the people of a community affected by the project to provide input and test the project improvements before they are permanently constructed.

Quick-Build projects are distinguished from temporary demonstration projects by the types of materials used and a longer study duration. However, unlike traditional capital projects, Quick-Build projects can be adjusted; they can be changed based on community input and further technical analysis over time. If the Quick-Build project is successful, it can later be made permanent. If it is not successful, it can be easily deconstructed. Quick-Build projects are intended to remain in place until capital upgrades are possible. All Quick-Build projects are expected to collect data to inform the approach for the project.”