Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 14 - AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION › Sub-Agency 010 - TRANSPORTATION BOARD › Chapter 018 - GUIDELINE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CROSSWALK MARKINGS AND PEDESTRIAN SIGNS AT MARKED AND UNMARKED CROSSINGS › Section 14 010 018 - GUIDELINE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CROSSWALK MARKINGS AND PEDESTRIAN SIGNS AT MARKED AND UNMARKED CROSSINGS

Current through June, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The 1988 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
				states:
"Crosswalk markings at signalized intersections and across
				intersection approaches on which traffic stops, serve primarily to guide
				pedestrians in the proper paths. Crosswalk markings across roadways on which
				traffic is not controlled by traffic signals or STOP signs must also serve to
				warn the motorist of a pedestrian crossing point at non-inter-section
				locations, these markings legally establish the crosswalk...
"Crosswalks should be marked at all intersections where there
				is a substantial conflict between vehicle and pedestrian movements. Marked
				crosswalks should also be provided at other appropriate points of pedestrian
				concentration, such as at loading islands, mid-block pedestrian crossing, or
				where pedestrians could not otherwise recognize the proper place to
				cross...
"Crosswalk markings should not be used indiscriminately. An
				engineering study should be required before they are installed at locations
				away from the traffic signals or STOP signs."
This guideline should be used to insure that there is
				consistency applied statewide when determining the need for crosswalk markings
				and to insure that sign installation practices are consistent across Vermont
				when crosswalk markings are determined to be unnecessary.
It must be recognized that not all situations can be adequately
				addressed in this guideline, therefore, engineering judgement must be used at
				all times.
Ultimately, it is up to the driving public and pedestrians of
				all ages to understand current Vermont laws, and thus act accordingly.
It is important that the driver and pedestrian recognize what
				marked crosswalks can and cannot do. Pedestrians need to know that they should
				be just as careful in using a marked crosswalk as when using an unmarked
				crossing area.
This guideline addresses the issues and sign layout
				requirements for the following situations:
. Traffic Signal intersection control
. STOP sign intersection control
. Uncontrolled approach to an intersection
. School crossing
. Non-intersection crossing or mid-block
. Unmarked pedestrian crossing
MARKED CROSSWALKS
Rules to Implement
Title
				19 V.S.A., Section
				905b
1. Prior to the marking of pedestrian
			 crosswalks on public highways under their respective jurisdictions, the
			 responsible municipal official or the District Transportation Administrator
			 shall review the plan of the proposed markings to insure that the crosswalks
			 conform to the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
			 for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), Part 3, Markings. Crosswalk markings should
			 only be installed and/or maintained after receiving written approval from the
			 appropriate governing entity, i.e., Agency of Transportation in the case of
			 State Highways; Select Board in the case of town highways.
2. Crosswalks should be installed at
			 locations protected by traffic signals or stop signs, and at other locations
			 where justified by an engineering study and adequately protected by warning
			 signs in accordance with the MUTCD. It is recommended that crosswalks be
			 evaluated using the engineering study as detailed in the Agency of
			 Transportation's latest edition of, "Guideline for the Installation of
			 Crosswalk Markings and Pedestrian Signs at Marked and Unmarked
			 Crossings."
3. A crosswalk on a
			 State highway shall be marked with white paint or a durable pavement marking
			 material. The crosswalk shall be at least six (6) feet wide, measured inside of
			 the crosswalk edge lines, and the crosswalk edge lines shall be twelve (12)
			 inches wide, and shall conform to the "crosshatch" pattern shown in the detail
			 below. Crosswalks in municipalities should be in accordance with selections
			 shown in the MUTCD.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
4. Within two years of the effective date of
			 this rule, all existing crosswalk markings shall conform to the details shown
			 above, or as shown in the MUTCD. Within two years of the effective date of this
			 rule, all crosswalks shall be reviewed for compliance, in the case of town
			 highways by the responsible municipal official, or the District Transportation
			 Administrator. All crosswalks not meeting the guideline should be
			 removed.
5. Meanings of "Shall",
			 "Should" and "May". In the sections dealing with the design and application of
			 traffic control devices, the words "shall", "should" and "may" are used to
			 describe specific conditions concerning these devices to clarify the meanings
			 intended by the use of these words, the following definitions apply:
a. SHALL - a mandatory condition. Where
			 certain requirements in the design or application of the device are described
			 with the "shall" stipulation, it is mandatory when an installation is made that
			 these requirements be met.
b.
			 SHOULD - an advisory condition. Where the word "should" is used, it is
			 considered to be advisable usage, recommended but not mandatory.
c. MAY - a permissive condition. No
			 requirement for design or application is intended.
CONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS
Traffic Signal Intersection Control
1. Traffic signal with an exclusive
			 pedestrian phase shall have crosswalks applied on all roadway approaches which
			 are used by pedestrians.
2. Traffic
			 signals with concurrent pedestrian movements shall have crosswalks applied on
			 the roadway approaches that have sidewalks that guide the pedestrian to the
			 point of crossing in the intersection. Crosswalks should not be installed in
			 the absence of sidewalks unless adequate shoulders exist.
3. Traffic signals that are not timed to
			 accommodate concurrent pedestrian movements or have traffic signal heads that
			 cannot be seen by the pedestrian, shall have no crosswalks applied on the
			 roadway approach which might be used by pedestrians.
There shall be no signs installed at the marked crosswalks or
				advance signs placed on the roadway approaches denoting pedestrian activity at
				the intersection.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
STOP Sign Intersection Control
1. A crosswalk may be placed across the
			 approach controlled by a STOP sign if a sidewalk exists on both sides of the
			 roadway approach controlled by the STOP sign. Note: If a crosswalk is
			 stencilled, a stop bar shall be stencilled, and it shall be a minimum of 4 feet
			 from the crosswalk, measured as a 4 foot gap between markings.
There shall be no signs installed at the marked crosswalk, or
				advance signs placed on the roadway approach denoting pedestrian activity at
				the intersection.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS
Uncontrolled Approach to an Intersection
A crosswalk may be placed at an intersection on a roadway
				approach that is not regulated by a traffic signal or a STOP if all the
				following criteria are met:
1. The
			 speed limit is 40 MPH or less, and;
2. There exists 20 or more pedestrians per
			 hour during the vehicular A.M. and P.M. peak period and a study indicates that
			 pedestrians have to wait more than 60 seconds to cross the roadway. Lessor
			 values can be used if a large percentage of the pedestrian population consists
			 of young, elderly, or disabled pedestrians, and;
3. A determination has been made that the
			 pedestrian shall have the right-of-way over the vehicular traffic. For example:
			 this would occur in urban areas, at parking lots or access points to public
			 buildings, as there is a need to channelize pedestrian movement to avoid
			 pedestrian/vehicle conflicts, and;
4. No parking or other obstructions occur
			 which prohibit the motorist from seeing the pedestrian standing on the shoulder
			 or curb and parking is prohibited 20 feet approaching the crosswalk (unless a
			 bulb-out exists restricting parking), see example on page 15, and;
5. The marked crosswalk or the regulatory
			 sign must be visible to the vehicle driver at a distance in excess of the safe
			 stopping sight distance (chart on page 17) for the speed limit, and;
6. Multiple crosswalks should be at least
			 150200 feet apart in either direction of a proposed location.
Regulatory Signs (VR-004a) shall be installed at the crosswalk
				location and warning signs (W11-2) shall be installed on the roadway approaches
				as shown on the sign layout detail. Advance warning signs (W11-2) will not be
				required in urban areas where pedestrian activity is an expected feature of the
				driving environment.
When installed crosswalks should be placed as close to
				perpendicular to traffic as possible.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
School Crossing - Non-Intersecting Crossing or
				Mid-Block.
Crosswalks should be applied at locations on established routes
				to school where there is conflict between vehicles and school children, or
				where students would not otherwise know the proper place to cross. There does
				not need to be a specific number of students. Signs and pavement markings
				should be installed if all the following criteria are met:
1. The crossing occurs in a section of
			 roadway where the posted speed limit is 40 MPH or less, and;
2. The marked crosswalk or the regulatory
			 sign must be visible to the vehicle driver at a distance in excess of the safe
			 stopping sight distance (chart on page 17) for the speed limit, and;
3. No parking or other obstructions occur
			 which prohibit the motorist from seeing the school child standing on the
			 shoulder or curb, at least 100 feet in advance of and 20 feet beyond the
			 crosswalk (unless a bulb-out exists restricting parking), see example on page
			 15 and;
4. A trained crossing guard
			 shall be used at the times when there is crossing activity by the students,
			 and;
5. Multiple crosswalks should
			 be at least 150-200 feet apart in either direction of a proposed location.
Signs (VR-004a, S2-1) shall be installed at the crosswalk
				location and a warning sign (S1-1) shall be installed on the roadway approaches
				as shown in the sign layout detail:
When installed crosswalks should be placed as close to
				perpendicular to traffic as possible.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
Non-Intersection Crossing or Mid-Block
A marked crosswalk may be used across a roadway if all the
				following criteria are met:
1. The speed limit is 40 MPH or less,
			 and;
2. No other crossing exists
			 within a distance of 150-200 feet in either direction, and;
3. There exists 20 or more pedestrians per
			 hour during the vehicular A.M. and P.M. peak period and a study indicates that
			 pedestrians have to wait more than 60 seconds to cross the roadway. Lessor
			 values can be used if a large percentage of the pedestrian population consists
			 of young, elderly, or disabled pedestrians, and;
4. A determination has been made that the
			 pedestrian shall have the right-of-way over the vehicular traffic. For example:
			 this would occur in urban areas, at parking lots or access points to public
			 buildings, as there is a need to channelize pedestrian movement to avoid
			 pedestrian/vehicle conflicts, and;
5. No parking or other obstructions occur
			 which prohibit the motorist from seeing the pedestrian standing on the shoulder
			 or curb, at least 100 feet in advance of and 20 feet beyond the crosswalk
			 (unless a bulb-out, see example, page 15, exists restricting parking),
			 and;
6. The marked crosswalk or
			 signs must be visible to the vehicle driver at a distance in excess of the safe
			 stopping sight distance (chart on page 17) for the speed limit, and;
Regulatory signs (VR-004a) shall be installed at the crosswalk
				location and a warning sign (W11-2) shall be installed on the roadway
				approaches as shown on the sign layout detail. The advance warning signs
				(W11-2) will not be required in urban areas where pedestrian activity is an
				expected feature of the driving environment.
When installed, crosswalks should be placed as close to
				perpendicular to traffic as possible.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
UNMARKED CROSSINGS
Unmarked Pedestrian Crossing
When the criteria for a marked crosswalk is not met, warning
				signs as specified in the MUTCD, (Part II-C), Warning Signs, may be
				installed.
If signs are determined to be warranted based on available
				sight distance, the following sign layout detail should be used where
				applicable:
CASE A
1.
			 The pedestrian crossing activity occurs randomly over a long distance at
			 various points. A warning sign (W11-2) and a supplemental plaque should be used
			 to denote the distance between the signs (which blanket the crossing area). The
			 plaques should not indicate a distance in excess of one mile.
2. There does not need to be a specific
			 pedestrian volume, merely crossing activity.
Cases to consider would be on highways adjacent to lakes and
				ponds, where summer camps and the associated activities occur, or connections
				for a hiking trail require travel along the roadway.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
CASE B
1.
			 The area of concentrated pedestrian activity occurs over a length of 500 feet
			 or less and is within the view of the motorists. These crossings take place
			 only at the location identified, and at various times.
2. Supplemental plaques shall be used to
			 denote the distance between the crossing signs (W11A-2). The advance pedestrian
			 signs (W11-2) should be used with the crossing signs.
This situation tends to be seasonal locations or locations of
				activity during certain days. Cases to consider would be locations where some
				attraction such as fishing or swimming occur on one side of the highway and
				parking occurs on the other.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
CASE C
1.
			 The location of pedestrian activity occurs at a specific location but does not
			 meet the guidelines for a marked crosswalk.
2. Crossing signs (W11A-2) may be used to
			 supplement advance Crossing signs (W11-2) as a means of assisting the vehicle
			 operator in defining the specific point of crossing. Such signs should be used
			 only at locations that are unusually hazardous or at locations not readily
			 apparent. When used, the Crossing sign (W11A-2) should be located immediately
			 adjacent to the crossing location.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
If this distance exceeds 50 feet, then Case B applies.
ATTACHMENTS
EXAMPLE
STATE OF VERMONT AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION TRAFFIC & SAFETY
				DIVISION
CROSSWALK APPROVAL
In accordance with 19, V.S.A., §
														905(b),
				Maintenance District.... is hereby permitted to install a crosswalk on the
				state maintained portion of .... at the following location:.....;
The approval is contingent upon the installation and
				maintenance of the crosswalk in accordance with State as shown in the Manual on
				Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), as adopted by State Law Title 23,
				§ 1025.
The Traffic and Safety Division reserves the right to withdraw
				approval and require removal of this crosswalk based on safety, maintenance and
				engineering issues, and as future conditions dictate. The appropriate signs
				shall be in position prior to the crosswalk installation.
Approved .....Traffic & Safety Engineer Date....
Sketch of location (if applicable)
[See illustration in printed publication.]
[See illustration in printed publication.]
[See illustration in printed publication.]
Brake
						  Reaction
Design Speed (mph)
Assumed Speed for Condition
						  (mph)
Time (sec)
Distance(ft)
Coefficient of Friction
Braking Distance on Level (ft)
20
20-20
2.5
73.3-73.3
0.40
33.3-33.3
25
24-25
2.5
88.0-91.7
0.38
50.5-54.8
30
28-30
2.5
102.7-110.0
0.35
74.7-85.7
35
32-35
2.5
117.3-128.3
0.34
100.4-120.1
40
36-40
2.5
132.0-146.7
0.32
135.0-166.7
45
40-45
2.5
146.7-165.0
0.31
172.0-217.7
50
44-50
2.5
161.3-183.3
0.30
215.1-277.8
55
48-55
2.5
176.0-201.7
0.30
256.0-336.1
60
52-60
2.5
190.7-220.0
0.29
310.8-413.8
65
55-65
2.5
201.7-238.3
0.29
347.7-485.6
70
58-70
2.5
212.7-256.7
0.28
400.5-583.3
Stopping Sight
						  Distance
Design Speed (mph)
Computed (ft)
Rounded for Design (ft)
20
106.7-106.7
125-125
25
138.5-146.5
150-150
30
177.3-195.7
200-200
35
217.7-248.4
225-250
40
267.0-313.3
275-325
45
318.7-382.7
325-400
50
376.4-461.1
400-475
55
432.0-537.8
450-550
60
501.5-633.8
525-650
65
549.4-724.0
550-725
70
613.1-840.0
625-850
Stopping sight distance (wet pavements)