An alternative approach to pedestrian safety in the core area of Pensacola Beach instead of the proposed $25 million vehicular overpass.

1. Plan “C” – A Common Sense Approach to Pedestrian
Safety in the Core Area of Pensacola Beach
Urban design techniques should serve to enhance the human experience in the environment.
The tenets of New Urbanism give primacy to the pedestrian over the automobile. Both of these
concepts offer a sound foundation to creating a walkable, laid back, beach experience. If the
goal of core area improvements is to create a “Beach to Bay” experience, a raised roadway
separating automobiles from pedestrians is the wrong way to go about it.
A raised roadway would create an edge, a visual barrier, separating the Casino Beach area from
the Boardwalk. No matter how enticing the pedestrian portion under the raised roadway may be,
there is no getting around the fact that a horizontal slab of concrete approximately 1,125 feet
long will serve as a visual barrier to the observer. This barrier will make it less attractive to walk
from beach to bay rather than enticing this kind of pedestrian activity. There is a better way.
Urban design teaches us that people need to be excited and drawn from one place to another.
Beach visitors are naturally drawn to the water’s edge whether it is to see the emerald blue
waters of a summer day or the grandeur of the waves during a winter storm. Think about the
things that draw you near – the edge of the Grand Canyon, the ocean’s shore, a beautiful
garden, a fountain, a street festival with sounds and colors and the aroma of good food. The
paths to the Boardwalk can be that kind of attractor, but what if it is separated by a ribbon of
concrete?
There is a simple solution with three easily achievable components: more crosswalks, better
crosswalks, and public safety enforcement.
More Crosswalks
Crosswalks are needed in additional locations. Many times pedestrians are observed crossing
Pensacola Beach Boulevard, Via De Luna, and Fort Pickens Road where there are no
crosswalks. Suggested places to add crosswalks include between the future Innerlight location
and Quietwater Beach, between the Visitor’s Center and the Boardwalk parking lot, and near
the shopping center near Via De Luna and Avenida 10. This is not a complete list and
pedestrian patterns should be studied to determine final locations and quantities.
Crosswalk Improvements
The current crosswalks are pavers set at grade. They are attractive and durable, but they are
not effective at slowing down vehicles and increasing pedestrian safety. Replacing the current
crosswalks with raised crosswalks and adopting this design for future additional crosswalks
would enhance pedestrian safety and promote beach to bay pedestrian traffic – two of the state
goals.
Raised crosswalks are Speed Tables outfitted with crosswalk markings and signage to
channelize pedestrian crossings, providing pedestrians with a level street crossing. Also, by
raising the level of the crossing, pedestrians are more visible to approaching motorists.

2. Raised crosswalks are good for locations where pedestrian crossings occur at haphazard
locations and vehicle speeds are excessive.
Advantages:
• Raised Crosswalks improve safety for both pedestrians and vehicles
• If designed well, they can have positive aesthetic value
• They are effective in reducing speeds, though not to the extent of speed humps
Disadvantages:
• Textured materials, if used, can be expensive
• Their impacts on drainage needs to be considered
• They may increase noise and air pollution
Effectiveness:
• For a 22-foot Speed Table (the most similar device for which data is available):
o Average of 18% decrease in the 85th percentile travel speeds, or from an
average of 36.7 to 30.1 miles per hour; (from a sample of 58 sites).
o Average of 45% decrease in accidents, or from an average of 6.7 to 3.7
accidents per year (from a sample of 8 sites).
Cost Estimate:
• 10 current crosswalks, plus 6 additional crosswalks at $4,000 per crosswalk for a total
estimated cost of $64,000.
Public Safety Enforcement
A public safety campaign should be enacted to educate both pedestrians and drivers about
existing laws. Reference to Florida Statutes 316 (see except below) are posted at the toll booth,
but an enforcement campaign, including issuing citations and a greater law enforcement
presence during the education period, coupled with public service announcements and other
media would serve to educate the public. Additionally, adding flashing lights to crosswalk signs
as part of the crosswalk improvements discussed above would assist.
316.130 Pedestrians; traffic regulations.—
(1) A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device specifically
applicable to the pedestrian unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(7)(a) The driver of a vehicle at an intersection that has a traffic control signal in place shall
stop before entering the crosswalk and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian, with a permitted
signal, to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk
and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is
approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
(b) The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where signage so indicates shall stop and remain
stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or
steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling
or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be
in danger.