Study Background
STEP Program
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is promoting pedestrian safety through the Every Day Counts (EDC-5) program with the Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) innovation. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) received funding through the state innovation council and FHWA to evaluate pedestrian conditions for the implementation of countermeasures at high pedestrian crossing locations.
Highway 91 STEP Innovation Study
Highway 91, also known as Johnson Avenue, serves as a principal arterial facility running east-west connecting Arkansas State University to downtown Jonesboro. The existing facility consists of four traffic lanes with a two-way left turn lane, with curb and gutter and sidewalks present along both sides of the roadway. Highway 91 has a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour (mph). The intersection of Highway 91 and State Street is a four-leg intersection with two-way stop control (TWSC) on the minor approaches (State Street).
The intersection of Highway 91 and State Street was identified by ARDOT, in conjunction with the Northeast Arkansas Regional Transportation Planning Commission (NARTPC), for further evaluation. Part of the study included the evaluation of the effectiveness of a temporary pedestrian crossing that was installed west of the study intersection as part of a separate project.
The study evaluates the effectiveness of the temporary pedestrian crossing, identifies any pedestrian and bicyclist safety issues that exist, and identifies and evaluates potential countermeasures.
Temporary Pedestrian Crossing
On September 27, 2019, a temporary pedestrian crossing was installed west of the study intersection. The temporary pedestrian crossing consists of a marked crosswalk with continental type markings, W11-2 pedestrian signs with arrow on each end of the crosswalk and in the median, warning beacons for each pedestrian sign, concrete curbs within the median, yield markings, advance signs located 400 feet prior to the crosswalk, and improved lighting at the crosswalk.
