2919 Delaware Avenue JAMES B. JONES, P.E.

, CFM
Room 20, Municipal Building town engineer
Kenmore, New York 14217-2308

own of
onawanda
Office of the Town Engineer

Niagara Falls Boulevard

Pedestrian Road Safety Audit
Ridge Lea Road to East Robinson Road
Town of Tonawanda and Town of Amherst
June 25, 2018

Figure 1 Wheelchair pedestrian crossing south of Roger Chaffee Dr. 6/25/2018

Conducted by:
Town of Tonawanda Town of Amherst
Office of the Town Engineer Engineering Department
2919 Delaware Avenue 1100 North Forest Road
Kenmore, NY 14217 Williamsville, NY 14221
Tel:(716) 877.8805 Tel:(716) 631.7415
Introduction

The towns of Tonawanda and Amherst, NY share their jurisdictional border at the centerline of Niagara Falls
Boulevard. Niagara Falls Boulevard is US Route 62 and is owned by the State of New York and assigned to the
NY State Department of Transportation to operate and maintain. Each respective town is responsible for land
use, zoning, sidewalks and street lighting along the corridor.

On May 11, 2018, another car/pedestrian fatality occurred north of Greenhaven Terrace. This was the 6th
fatality within a 5-year period which prompted local and state officials to convene on May, 25, 2018 to review
what additional actions could be taken to improve pedestrian safety and mobility. As a result of that
conference, the Town Engineering Departments were assigned the task of conducting an independent walk
audit of the Niagara Falls Boulevard corridor within the area of concern from Ridge Lea Road/Koenig Road
intersection north to East Robinson Road, approximately 2.4 centerline miles.

This report provides a summary of observations recorded using prompt lists from the Federal Highway
Administration Pedestrian Road Safety Audit (RSA) Guidelines and Prompts List, J FHWA-SA-07-007, July 2007.
The form of observations were recorded using a GIS mobile application developed the Town Engineering
Departments. The walk audit was conducted on Monday, June 25, 2018 by the assembled RSA team

Niagara Falls Boulevard – Corridor Background

The subject corridor study area includes the intersection of Ridge Lea Road (Amherst side) and Koenig Road
(Tonawanda side) to East Robinson Road. Niagara Falls Boulevard generally has a 100’ right-of-way width and
has an Annual Average Daily Traffic up to 53,000 vehicles per day. Generally, sidewalks are constructed on
both the west and east sides. The sidewalk width is 5 feet. Sidewalks were mainly installed by NYSDOT under
HC-140 agreements to each town primarily under NYSDOT project D251784 in 1986. Two related highway
projects with limits of Irvington to East Robinson and another at I-290 were more recent. Maintenance of the
sidewalk is then relegated to abutting property owners by respective town codes. A two-way center turn lane
is present for the entire section except at signalized intersections where it is transitioned to designated left
turn lanes. The northerly boundary of the Town of Tonawanda is the centerline of Creekside Drive. The
corridor is wholly in Amherst from Creekside Drive the East Robinson Road.

The Town of Amherst has been provided Highway Safety Improvement Program funding to install street
lighting along Niagara Falls Boulevard from Inn Keepers Lane to the north boundary line of Amherst with
Niagara County. Amherst has partnered with the Town of Tonawanda to design street lighting on the west side
in conjunction with their project as existing wooden utility poles owned by National Grid are available to add
street lighting. Construction is anticipated in 2019 to install 4,000k level LED street lighting within the study
area under PIN 5762.37.

Table 1 Summary of characteristics related to pedestrian activity.

Segment Posted Number Pavement Zoning Zoning No. No. Avg. Street
Speed of Lanes Width West East Driveways Driveways Segment Lighting
(Ft.)* West East Length (Ft.)
**
Ridge Lea/Koenig 40 8 98 General General 1 0 535 Yes
to I-290 MPH Business Business
Eastbound Ramp
I-290 Eastbound 40 6 80-98 with N/A N/A 4 4 956 Yes
Ramp to I-290 MPH median
Westbound
Ramp

Report Date: August 2018 Page 2

 Segment Posted Number Pavement Zoning Zoning No. No. Avg. Street
Speed of Lanes Width West East Driveways Driveways Segment Lighting
(Ft.)* West East Length (Ft.)
**
I-290 Westbound 45 6 85 General General 3 1 405 No
Ramp to Inn MPH Business Business
Keepers Lane (A)
Inn Keepers Lane 45 7 90 General General 3 1 333 No
(A) to MPH Business Business
Greenhaven Terr
(T)
Green Haven 45 7 -8 90 - 100 General General 6 3 1,048 No
Terr (T) to Home MPH Business Business
Depot Driveway
(A)
Home Depot 45 7 90 General General 3 2 406 No
Driveway (A) to MPH Business Business
Dexter Terr (T)
Dexter Terr (T) to 45 7 90 General General 2 4 356 No
Willow Ridge Dr MPH Business Business
(A)
Willow Ridge Dr 45 5–7 66 -90 General General 11 7 912 No
(A) to Faragut MPH Business Business &
Ave (T)/Draden Multifamily
Ln (A)
Faragut Ave 45 5 66 General General 10 2 683 No
(T)/Draden Ln (A) MPH Business Business
to Vinson Ave
(T)/Edward
White Dr (A)
Vinson Ave 45 5 66 General General 2 7 691 No
(T)/Edward MPH Business Business
White Dr (A) to
Thistle Ave
(T)/Roger
Chaffee Dr (A)
Thistle Ave 45 5 66 General General 8 3 693 No
(T)/Roger MPH Business Business
Chaffee Dr (A) to
Forbes Ave (T)
Forbes Ave (T) to 45 5 66 General General 15 13 1,330 No
South Ellicott MPH Business Business
Creek Rd
South Ellicott 45 5 66 General General 0 0 312 No
Creek Rd to MPH Business Business
Ellicott Creek
Park Ent.
(T)/North Ellicott
Creek Rd (A)
Ellicott Creek 45 5 66 General General 0 0 371 No
Park Ent. MPH Business Business
(T)/North Ellicott
Creek Rd (A) to
Irwin Rd (A)
Irwin Rd (A) to 45 5 66 General General 3 6 686 No
Irvington Dr MPH Business Business &
Commercial
Service
Irvington Dr to 45 5 66 General General 3 2 386 No
Hennepin Rd (A) MPH Business Business
Hennepin Rd (A) 45 5 66 General General 3 3 706 No
to Creekside Dr MPH Business Business

Report Date: August 2018 Page 3

 Segment Posted Number Pavement Zoning Zoning No. No. Avg. Street
Speed of Lanes Width West East Driveways Driveways Segment Lighting
(Ft.)* West East Length (Ft.)
**
Creekside Dr to 45 5 66 General General 6 5 705 No
North French Rd MPH Business Business &
& Motor Motor
Service Service
North French Rd 45 5 66 General General 1 5 640 No
to E. Robinson MPH Business Business &
Rd. & Motor Motor
Service Service
Intersection in italics is un-signalized
* Scaled from 2017 GIS Orthography
** Scaled Intersection Centerline to Centerline from 2017 GIS Orthography

Pedestrian Road Safety Audit – Background

The Town of Amherst created a Niagara Falls Boulevard Charter in May 2018 to partner with the Town of
Tonawanda in establishing a framework of issues, goals and objectives related to the complex of the corridor
in its entire length. The framework focuses on all modes of transportation, land use, environmental and zoning
characteristics that influence the Boulevard now and how planning future use can provide a stronger and safer
community. One of the foremost elements of the charter is pedestrian safety and walkability and addressing
the crash history of the study segments.

The towns established a Pedestrian Road Safety Audit Team based on the aforementioned FHWA RSA guide in
June 2018. Team members included Brian Kulpa AIA, Amherst Town Supervisor, James Jones, P.E., Tonawanda
Town Engineer, Chris Schregel LSIT, Amherst Principal Engineer Assistant, Jennifer Michniewicz, P.E., P.T.O.E.,
Amherst Traffic and Safety Board and Kelly Dixon, GBNRTC.

A mobile GIS application was developed by the engineering departments of the towns to collect field data
based on the recommended prompts list of the RSA guide. The prompts are grouped into four RSA zones of
Streets, Street Crossings, Parking Areas/Adjacent Development and Transit Areas. The GIS application has the
capability of collecting point data for all zones, topics, sub-topics and individual prompts along with comment
and multi-media support attachments such as video and photographs. The resulting GIS data can be found
here: https://arcg.is/0fDfT9 .

The audit was conducted on Monday, June 25, 2018 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Three members of the NYSDOT
Region 5 administration and the Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger accompanied the team for
the first two hours of the audit and Amherst Supervisor Brian Kulpa accompanied the team for several hours
and the morning and afternoon. The weather was clear with high temperature of 78°.

A total of 131 observation points made by the audit team were intended to provide independent assessments
of the pedestrian experience as they relate to the RSA prompts, pedestrian generators and pedestrian desire
lines. The audit segments are categorized and summarized by common segment characteristics as several
unique land use patterns exist. They include segments Ridge Lea to the westbound I-290 ramps, westbound I-
290 ramps to the Home Depot driveway, the Home Depot driveway to Faragut Avenue/Draden Lane, Faragut
Avenue/Draden Lane to Forbes Avenue, Forbes Avenue to North Ellicott Road, North Ellicott Road to Hennepin
Road, Hennepin Road to North French Road and North French Road to East Robinson Road.

Ridge Lea to the Westbound I-290 ramps – Figure 2

This segment is dominated by the Interstate highway function however some retail frontage exists on the west
side outside of the I-290 ROW. The primary observations in addition to the summaries shown in Figure 2 relate

Report Date: August 2018 Page 4

to pedestrian crossings distances which are lengthened by the eastbound right turn lane, southbound dual left
turn lane and wide curb radii at the Koenig/Ridge Lea intersection. Raised medians do not extend into
intersection to provide pedestrian refuge. Push button activation for crossing clearance were excessive due to
existing signal phasing and cycle lengths.

The mountable curb southbound near the transit stop poses a loss to any pedestrian insulation when boarding
operations are not occurring.

Sidewalks in vicinity of ramps lack any vertical separation or barrier such as curbing. Poor drainage and
siltation on walkways reduces effective clear width of the pedestrian access route. Significant sedimentation
exists on sidewalks under the bridges between the jersey barrier and abutment slope and is indicative of poor
drainage. Lack of under bridge lighting was noted. The skew and super-elevation of the highway ramps favor
higher vehicular speeds and thus diminished comfortable gaps in traffic flow to be negotiated by pedestrians
and are excessive to ADA slope compliance.
Detectable warning plates at sidewalk ramps were
incorrectly oriented.

Bicyclists were observed using sidewalks as no

significant bicycle accommodations are provided
on the road (Figure 2a).

Crosswalks are not provided across the north and

south legs of the signalized intersection of the
Westbound Off-Ramp.
Figure 2a Bicyclist at I-290 EB On Ramp
Transit stops do not have shelter nor seating.
Loading areas and surfaces are substandard.

The Town of Tonawanda Youth, Parks & Recreation Department performs snow removal on the sidewalk
segment within the I-290 ROW.

One pedestrian injury crash is reported in this segment.

Westbound I-290 ramps to the Home Depot driveway – Figure 3

The majority of the west side of the road is commercial with some retail in character. The east side is mixed
commercial with motels beyond the frontage parcels. A new auto resale facility is being constructed at 1881
Niagara Falls Boulevard and both sides are traversed by a wide overhead utility corridor crossing. It is unclear if
that section is maintained in the winter. Long distances of parking lot edges abut the sidewalk. Driveway
locations are too close to crosswalks. The driveway at 1980 Niagara Falls Blvd has excessive width and its
construction compromises the walking surface of the sidewalk (Figure 3a). Separation between the curb and
sidewalk are less than desirable.

Sidewalk sections are missing on the north side of Inn Keepers Lane. The segment of the Boulevard does not
have municipal street lighting. Excessive cross slopes of sidewalks were noted. Large curb radii increase
pedestrian crossing distance and complicate proper placement of detectable warning plates at the curb ramps.

Figure 3a 1980 Niagara Falls Blvd

Report Date: August 2018 Page 5

 µ
324 327

316 321 Crosswalks 1881

needed north
1888 and south legs
315 B.1.9 Are crosswalks
sited along pedestrian
desire lines?
A.2.4 Is the walking
301 surface adequate NYS255 75
340 and well-maintained?
297 1876
1880

B.8.2 Are crossing points

Ra
Evergre

Detection for pedestrians properly

mp
293 not correct
Dr

signed and / or marked?

1868
en

B.1.1 Do wide curb radii lengthen

pedestrian crossing distances and
289 encourage high-speed right turns?,B.1.2
285 Do channelized right turn lanes minimize
conflicts with pedestrians?,B.1.4 125
Poor A.1.7 Are ramps provided as
Are pedestrian crossings located separation an alternative to stairs?,A.2.1 Will
in areas where sight distance may be a snow storage disrupt pedestrian
access or visibility?,A.2.2 Is
A.1.2 If no sidewalk is present, is the path clear from both temporary and
there a walkable shoulder (e.g. wide permanent obstructions?,A.2.4 Is the
enough to accommodate cyclists / No under No underbridge walking surface adequate and
pedestrians) on the road or other pathway bridge lighting. Sediment well-maintained?,A.4.
/ trail nearby?,A.1.3 Are shoulders / lighting build up, poor drainage
I 290 A.2.1 Will snow storage
sidewalks provided on both sides of
A.1.4 Is the disrupt pedestrian access
bridges?,A.2.2 Is the path cle
sidewalk width adequate for or visibility?,A.2.4 Is the
pedestrian volumes? walking surface adequate
A.1.6 Are sidewalk / street boundaries
discernable to people with and well-maintained?
visual impairments?,A.2.2
Is the path clear from both temporary
Niagara Falls Blvd

and permanent obstructions?,A.8.2 B.1.2 Do channelized right turn lanes

Is the visibility of signs and minimize conflicts with pedestrians?,
pavement markings adequate B.1.4 Are pedestrian crossings located
during the day and night? in areas where sight distance may
155 B.2.1 Is the crossing pavement be a problem?,B.2.1 Is the
adequate and well maintained?,B.5.2 crossing pavement adequate
Is the distance from the stop (or Right on red and well maintained?,B.5.1
147 conflict Can pedestrians see appr
yield) line to a crosswalk
Drainage silt 0
sufficient for drivers to
141
see pedestrians?,B.7.1 Do A.2.1 Will snow storage disrupt Ramp not oriented
turning vehicles pose a pedestrian access or correctly . Super
hazard to pedestrians?,B.7.3 visibility?,A.2.2 Is the path elevation exceeds Ada
Do traffic operations clear from both temporary and
NYS -and encourages high speed
Briar R
Swee

135
permanent obstructions?,
Legend
A.2.4 Is the walking surface A.1.5 Is there adequate
t
d

adequate and well-maintained? separation distance Crossing

122 129 1750 between vehicular traffic

and pedestrians? A.2.1 Will snow storage Parking Area
1758 disrupt pedestrian access or
A.1.5 Is there adequate
visibility?,A.5.1 Is the visibility
125
separation distance
between vehicular
B.9.4 Are all
pedestrian signals and 1721 of pedestrians walking along the X
Y 0 Streets

sidewalk /shoulder adequate?

traffic and pedestrians?, push buttons functioning
A.2.1 Will snow storage
1715
a
Æ Transit
Lantern Ln

1740 correctly and safely? D.2.4 Is the landing area paved and
119 disrupt pedestrian
access or visibility? 1730
free of problems such as uneven
surfaces, standing water,
3820 ù Pedestrian Injury

113 or steep slopes?,D.4.1 Are access ways ù Pedestrian Fatalities

&
V
to transit facilities well-lit to
accommodate early-morning, BUFFALO
ay

280 Mountable
266 270 292 296 300 late-afternoon, and evening,D.7.1
Drivew

256 260 286 curb

A.4.2 Does street
Do pedestrians enteri Ñ CSX

#
250 lighting improve pedestrian
B.1.10 Are corners and curb
visibility at night? STATE

Koenig Rd NYS284 ramps appropriately planned

B.7.2 Are there suf?cient gaps
12/12/2017
and designed at each
approach to the crossing?
'
Ridge Lea Rd
TOWN

%
in the traf?c to allow pedestrians
Count down D.1.1 Are
to cross the road?,B.9.1 Are pedestrian VILLAGE
265 bus stops sited
$
249 signal heads provided and module not
adequate?,B.9.2 Are traf?c and pedestrian working Located in properly?
1705 PRIVATE
259
signals timed so that wait advance
255
times and crossing times are reasonable? 1694 1641
Ú
Ê PRIVATE-NYS

Tonawanda Parcels
47 41 33 27 21
61 53
Amherst Parcels

67 B.1.5 Do raised medians provide a safe waiting area (refuge) for pedestrians? Streets

Full GIS Map Data Available at: Feet

Figure 2 100 50 0 100
https://arcg.is/0fDfT9 Ridge Lea to the Westbound I-290 ramps
 497
1204
D.4.1 Are access ways to transit
facilities well-lit to accommodate
early-morning, late-afternoon, and
evening,D.8.1 Are appropriate
Asphalt
snow
storage
2075
0 0 0

A.1.5 Is there adequate

0
µ
1202 signs and pavement markings provided Obstruction separation distance
491 for school bus and transit stops? between vehicular
Button too traffic and pedestrians?
479 1225 2060 high, too far 0
from ramp Driveway
Needs seat,
473 1180 D.3.3 Are transit stops
ramp floods 0
silt build up maintained during periods
1200 of inclement weather?,D.4.1
465 Are access ways to transit
Add crossing south leg, ramp not oriented, no push button
facilities well-lit to
accommodate early-morning,
late-afternoon, and evening
459
Evergreen Dr

2045
B.9.5 Are ADA accessible push buttons provided and properly located?
101
451 A.2.3 Is the walking
surface too steep?,
340 A.2.4 Is the walking 0
2020
443 surface adequate and
Millwood
well-maintained?
Dr A.1.5 Is there adequate separation
distance between vehicular
437 traffic and pedestrians?,
A.4.1 Is the sidewalk adequately
215 lit?,A.6.1 Are the conditions
431
at driveways intersecting 5/12/2018 0
sidewalks endangering pedestrians?
A.2.3 Is the
430 425 walking surface
2000
C.6.1 Are travel paths for too steep?
422 pedestrians and other
419 vehicle modes clearly 2025
C.7.2 Are buses, cars,
Niagara Falls Blvd

Wayside delineated at access bicycles, and pedestrians

Ct openings?,C.8.1 Are travel 1980 separated on the site and
413
paths and crossing points provided with their own 0
for pedestrians properly designated areas for travel?
signed and / or marked?
8 407 2001

D.2.4 Is the landing area paved and 1970 D.1.2 Are safe pedestrian
401 free of problems such as uneven crossings convenient for transit
402 surfaces, standing water, and school bus users?,D.2.4 Is
or steep slopes?,D.3.3 Are transit the landing area paved and free
393 stops maintained during periods of of problems such as uneven surfaces, 0
394
inclement weather?,D.4.1 Are access 1960 Needs bench standing water, or steep slopes?
ways to transit facilities
Excessive
388 387 350 well-lit to accommodate
driveway width Legend
360
12/29/2017 6/10/2016
Greenhaven Ter 1951 Crossing
B.6.1 Are driveways
1/10/2016 No separation from placed close
1950 A.4.2 Does street lighting
ramp ,crosswalk to crossings? Parking Area
improve pedestrian
373 Push button needed south leg
visibility at night?
374
1940
too far
from ramp
50
X
Y Streets

A.2.2 Is the path clear

366 365
1925 from both temporary and permanent Transit
a
Æ
obstructions?,A.6.1 Are

360
359 the conditions at driveways ù
Pedestrian Injury

intersecting sidewalks endangering

1930
Sidewalk missing pedestrians?,A.7.1 Are there ù
Pedestrian Fatalities

353 north side

inn keepers
any conflicts between bicycles
and pedestrians on sidewalks?
Inn Kee
pBUFFALO
ers Ln &
V
346
347
340 B.1.9 Are crosswalks
sited along pedestrian
Detection Ñ CSX

#
not correct.
desire lines?,B.6.1 Are B.3.2 Are pedestrians
No ladder STATE
338 driveways placed close to clearly directed to
'
339
crossings?,B.9.5 Are ADA 9/20/2016 crossing points TOWN
1900 accessible push buttons and pedestrian
%
provided and properly located? 1893 1881
333 access ways? VILLAGE
332

327
1888
$ PRIVATE
75

324 A.1.3 Are shoulders /

sidewalks provided on
Ú
Ê PRIVATE-NYS

Tonawanda Parcels
316 321 both sides of bridges? Amherst Parcels

315 Streets

Full GIS Map Data Available at: Figure 3 Feet

Westbound I-290 ramps to the Home Depot driveway

100 50 0 100
https://arcg.is/0fDfT9
There are no crosswalks on the south legs at Greenhaven Terrace and Home Depot driveway to cross the
Boulevard. The exclusive north bound right turn lane into the Home Depot
driveway increases crossing distance by 15% across the 100 feet of
pavement. There are no raised medians to provide pedestrian refuge at
the intersection, particularly at the east leg of the intersection where a
raised median exists but does not extend into the existing crosswalk. ADA
devices are improperly located.

Glendale Elementary School is located to the west accessible to Niagara

Falls Boulevard by an 8 minute walk (0.34 mi) via Greenhaven Terrace.

Bicyclists were noted using sidewalks as no significant bicycle

accommodations are provided on the road.

Transit stops do not have shelter nor seating. Two northbound and two
southbound bus stops exist in this segment. Loading areas and surfaces are
substandard.

One pedestrian fatality and four injury crashes are reported in this
segment three of which were reported at the Greenhaven Terrace
intersection.

Home Depot driveway to Faragut Avenue/Draden Lane – Figure 4

Smaller commercial/retail businesses occur on the both sides of the corridor

within this segment however the lots on the east side have longer, parallel
frontages and includes a large auto dealership car storage lot. Several walking
surface deficiencies were noted included utility patches, excessive vertical
deflections (Figure 4a) and substandard surfaces.

The intersection at Willow Ridge Drive does not have a crosswalk on the south
leg. The westbound lane has an exclusive left turn lane and a shared left right
turn lane buts through traffic into the plaza on the opposite site is not restricted.
The location of the driveway north of Willow Ridge is too close to the crosswalk.

The intersection of Faragut/Draden is unsignalized. Transit stops exist on both

sides of the boulevard indicating potential pedestrian desire lines to access stops.
The nearest signalized intersection is 634 feet to the north.

Transit stops do not have shelter nor seating. A make shift seat exists at the
Figure 4a 2088 Niagara Falls Blvd
Willow Ridge south bound transit stop. Two northbound and two southbound
bus stops exist in this segment. Loading areas and surfaces are substandard.

Three pedestrian fatalities and one injury crashes are reported in this segment each within the vicinity of the
Willow Ridge intersection.

Faragut Avenue/Draden Lane to Forbes Avenue – Figure 5

Commercial/retail businesses occur on the both sides of the corridor within this segment. A large auto
dealership occupies the entire block from Draden Lane to Edward White Drive. Holiday Inn Express is under
construction at 2400 Niagara Falls Boulevard and Classic V Banquet facility is directly across the boulevard.

Report Date: August 2018 Page 6

 µ
201 202 245 244
248 310 118
2260
205 206 249
254 B.2.1 Is the crossing
211 212 255 pavement adequate 101
258 and well maintained?
324 102
Calvert Blvd

2250
215 216 A.2.4 Is the walking surface
adequate and well-maintained?, 262 2277
221 A.6.1 Are the conditions at driveways
intersecting sidewalks endangering B.1.5 Do raised medians provide a safe
226 266
225 pedestrians?,A.6.2 Does the waiting area (refuge) for
number of driveways make the route 118 pedestrians?,B.1.9 Are crosswalks sited 93
354
undesirable for pedestrian travel? 110 2234 along pedestrian desire
231 232 lines?,B.4.1 Is the pedestrian
273
crossing adequately lit?,B.7.2 Are 89
Faragut Ave there suf?cient gaps in the traf?c Draden Ln
to allow pedestrians to
286 Ramp not oriented
D.1.1 Are bus stops sited
2220 near bus stop
41 45 51 57 61 71 properly?,D.1.2 Are safe pedestrian 101 141
67 Bus stop . 79
crossings convenient for transit
and school bus users?,D.3.2 Are Crossing 366
transit stops part of a continuous potential
network of pedestrian facilities?,D.4.1 2215 74 67
442 446 452 456 460 Are access ways to transit 2202
432 436
facilities well-lit to a

Denrose Dr
B.2.2 Is the crossing pavement ?ush 380 62 59
Forbes Ave with the roadway surface?,B.4.1 Is Long distance
271
the pedestrian crossing adequately between
312 lit?,B.6.1 Are driveways placed signals
close to crossings?,"B.8.1 Is paint 54
2185 396
318 on stop bars and crosswalks
worn, or are signs worn, 41
322 missing, or damaged?",B.8.2 2181

2180 44
328

Joe McCarthy Dr
2165
405
332 2172 406
Dexter Ter

338 D.2.2 Do seats (or persons sitting

on them) obstruct the sidewalk or 409
reduce its usable width?, 418
333 2153 25
D.4.1 Are access ways to
transit facilities well-lit
to accommodate early-morning, 425 426
late-afternoon, and evening
352 2148
10/1/2017
A.6.1 Are the conditions 54
at driveways intersecting sidewalks 2139 24
18 40 74
endangering pedestrians?,A.6.2 2142 8/9/2013
Does the number of driveways Extra driveway, no Legend
make the route undesirable thru traffic arrow Crossing
for pedestrian travel? 6/5/2013 Access
2136 Willow Ridge Dr
374 NYS299 route
C.7.1 Does pedestrian
Parking Area

B.1.9 Are crosswalks sited along pedestrian or driver behavior

A.2.4 Is the walking
desire lines?,"B.3.1 Does pedestrian
network connectivity continue surface adequate and increase the risk of a
pedestrian collision?
X
Y Streets

well-maintained?
375 through crossings by means of adequate,
waiting areas at corners, curb ramps and 2120
2121
15
a
Æ 0 Transit

marked crosswalks?",B.4.1 Is the

ù
Niagara Falls Blvd

23 Pedestrian Injury
381 pedestrian crossing adequatel
2113 0
385 ù Pedestrian Fatalities

&
V
389 406 2112 B.9.5 Are ADA accessible push buttons provided and properly located?
B.1.9 Are crosswalks sited along pedestrian BUFFALO

desire lines?,B.1.10 Are corners and curb ramps 2099

appropriately planned and designed Ñ CSX

#
at each approach to the crossing?,B.4.1 Is the
pedestrian crossing adequately lit?, STATE
Vertical gap
'
B.6.1 Are driveways placed close to crossing
1180 401 C.2.1 Do parked TOWN

1225 2088 vehicles obstruct

pedestrian paths? % VILLAGE

1200 2075
0
$ PRIVATE

501
1202
2060 0 0
0 Ú
Ê PRIVATE-NYS

Tonawanda Parcels

1204 Amherst Parcels

497 Streets

Full GIS Map Data Available at: Figure 4 Feet

Home Depot driveway to Faragut Avenue/Draden Lane

100 50 0 100
https://arcg.is/0fDfT9
 µ
0 312
26 71 70 0 308 329
2443
2436 142
75 B.2.1 Is the crossing pavement D.1.1 Are
32 300
adequate and well maintained?, bus stops sited
0
B.8.2 Are crossing points properly?
For bes Ave
for pedestrians properly Crosswalk 135
293
signed and / or marked? missing
87 ladder Paper street curb return should be replaced with regular driveway
88
42 A.2.2 Is the path clear from both 289
0 286
temporary and permanent 0
94
46 obstructions?,A.2.4 Is Missing sidewalk blocks, numerous driveway cuts no longer used 285
the walking surface adequate and 0 280
52 well-maintained?,A.6.2 Does the 98 2425 281
number of driveways make the route 0 276
49 undesirable for pedestrian travel? 104 275
56

Edgewater Dr
174
103
272
57 60 107 108 0
269
0 264
65 64 113 114
263
2400
0 260
69 70 117 118 A.6.1 Are the conditions 259
at driveways intersecting sidewalks 2387 0
75 74 123 124 endangering pedestrians?,A.6.2 254 255
0
Does the number of driveways
79 80 127 128 make the route undesirable 251
0 248
for pedestrian travel? 243
85 84 133 134 0
244
0 239
89 90
B.4.1 Is the pedestrian crossing 138 2374 2369 236
adequately lit?,"B.8.1 Is paint 134
0
93 94 on stop bars and crosswalks Ladder
144 231
worn, or are signs worn, crossing 0 230
missing, or damaged?" missing 2/15/2017
Thistle Ave Roger Chaffee Dr
3/22/2017
Several
8/30/2016
105 106 155 156 pedestrian 0
generators 219

Denrose Dr
Driveway 0 216
2354
111 112 159 160 too close
Calvert Blvd

2351 0
115 116 163 164 211
0 208
Dexter Ter

121 122 169 170 2336

0
203
125 126 173 174 0
Niagara Falls Blvd

A.1.6 Are sidewalk / street 198

131 132 2335 0 195
179 boundaries discernable to people with
visual impairments?,A.2.1 Will snow
0
135 136 183 storage disrupt pedestrian access
192 Legend 0
184 or visibility?,A.4.2 Does street 0
141 142 189 lighting improve pedestrian Crossing

190 visibility at night?,A.6.1 Are the 2319 0

145 146 193 conditions at driveway 182
Parking Area
194 0 0
2298
151 152 199
200
2303
0
X
Y Streets

0
155 156 203
204
0
170 a
Æ Transit

161 162 207

210
0
ù Pedestrian Injury
165

165 166 211

Vinson Ave 9/16/2016
Edward White Dr
ù Pedestrian Fatalities

171 B.6.1 Are driveways placed close to NYS367 &

V BUFFALO
Joe McCarthy Dr

crossings?,B.7.1 Do turning vehicles pose 220 2280 3 phase

175 a hazard to pedestrians?,B.7.2 Are
176 there sufficient gaps in the traffic to
21 D.1.1 Are bus stops
sited properly?,D.2.4 Is
signal, check
turn volume 298
Ñ CSX

#
155
181 allow pedestrians to cross the road?, 224 the landing area paved and STATE
182 B.8.2 Are crossing points for free of problems such as
185 186
pedestrians properly signed and 228 uneven surfaces, standing
0
' TOWN

2274 water, or steep slopes?

%
231
234
VILLAGE
191 192 235 2277

195 196 241

240 2270 B.6.1 Are driveways
placed close to $ PRIVATE
149

201 202 245

244
2260
crossings?,B.7.1 Do
turning vehicles pose a
310 118 Ú
Ê PRIVATE-NYS

248 hazard to pedestrians? Tonawanda Parcels

101
Amherst Parcels
205 206 249 254 2250 324 102 Streets

Full GIS Map Data Available at: Figure 5 Feet

Faragut Avenue/Draden Lane to Forbes

100 50 0 100
https://arcg.is/0fDfT9
The signalized intersection at Vinson/Edward White has a left turn only phase for north/south bound
boulevard traffic which increases pedestrian wait time unnecessarily base on turning movement demand
noted in 7/7/2016 counts performed by the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council
(GBNRTC).

The northerly driveway at Ted’s Hot Dogs is too close to the un-signalized intersection at Roger Chafee Drive
and complicates boardings at the northbound transit stop which is within the southeast curb radii adjacent to
the ADA ramp. Three of the four intersection quadrants have fast food eateries and transit stops are located in
the NW and SE corners between driveways and cross streets. The nearest signal is 691 feet to the south. Curb
radii are 40 feet.

The intersection of Forbes Avenue is opposite the driveway at Classic V Banquet. The driveway for the banquet
facility is constructed with curb radii without a concrete driveway apron nor ADA ramps functioning as a paper
street. There is improper sight distance for egress. Transit stops are located in the NW and SE quadrants.

There are three northbound and three southbound transit stops within this segment. Transit stops do not have
shelter nor seating. Loading areas and surfaces are substandard.

One pedestrian fatality and three injury crashes are reported in this segment. Two of the injury and the fatality
crashes were noted at the Thistle/Roger Chaffee intersection. Note: report cover photo is approximately 100
feet south of this intersection.

Forbes Avenue to North Ellicott Road – Figure 6

This segment continues to have similar commercial/retail land use, however there are four residences on the
Tonawanda side. Ellicott Creek Park is located on the west side of the corridor.

Parking lots were noted to be paved right to the back edge of sidewalks, typical along the study corridor. This
effects adequate pedestrian buffer from parked vehicles and snow storage. A sidewalk encroachment was
noted at the building at 2545 Niagara Falls Boulevard.

The eastbound right turn

slip ramp increases
pedestrian crossing
distance and does not
provide pedestrian
refuge. The eastbound
approach is at a 30° skew
from perpendicular
(Figure 6a). There is no
crosswalk on the south
leg of either Ellicott Creek
road intersections. ADA
push buttons and
detectable warning plates
are improperly located or
Figure 6a Eastbound South Ellicott Creek Road
missing.

The signals at south and north Ellicott Creek Road are 312 feet apart and are interconnected to avoid queueing
into each other’s intersections during left turn phases from Ellicott Creek roads. Northbound and southbound
left turn only phases get called without detection which increase overall cycle length and pedestrian crossing
wait times.

Report Date: August 2018 Page 7

 2616
North leg
crossing too
narrow
12
B.1.7 Are marked crosswalks wide
42
32

enough?,B.3.1 Does pedestrian network

68 µ
Ellicott Creek Par k
connectivity continue 74
through crossings by means of adequate,
B.2.1 Is the crossing pavement
waiting areas at corners, curb ramps
adequate and well maintained?, NYS101 and marked crosswalks?,
86
B.4.1 Is the pedestrian
B.4.1 Is the pedestrian crossing
crossing adequately lit?,B.9.2
D.2.3 Is a sufficient landing adequately lit?,B.5.3 Do o NE
Are traf?c and pedestrian signals 2600 llico
area provided to accommodate tt C
timed so that wait times ree
waiting passengers, boarding / alighting B.1.2 Do channelized right turn lanes kR
and crossing times are reasonable? d
passengers, and through / minimize conflicts with pedestrians?,
A.1.3 Are shoulders / sidewalks bypassing pedestrian traffic at peak times?, B.1.3 Does a skewed intersection
provided on both sides of D.2.4 Is the landing area paved and free of direct drivers focus away
bridges?,A.1.4 Is the sidewalk problems such as uneven surfaces, stand from crossing pedestrians?,B.1.5 Do
width adequate for pedestrian raised medians provide a safe waiting
volumes?,A.1.5 Is there adequate area (refuge) for pedestrians?,B.1.9 A
separation distance between NYS 263 9/19/2016 S Ellico
vehicular traf?c and pedestrians?, tt Creek
Rd
A.2.1 Will snow storage disrupt pedestri 95
Need

Ra
D.1.2 Are safe pedestrian crossings crossing

mp
convenient for transit and school bus south leg
A.1.5 Is there adequate separation
users?,D.2.3 Is a sufficient landing
distance between vehicular
area provided to accommodate 2545 traffic and pedestrians?,A.1.6 Are
waiting passengers, boarding / alighting 75
2546
Encroachment sidewalk / street boundaries
passengers, and through / bypassing
discernable to people with visual
pedestrian traffic at peak times?,D.8
impairments?,A.2.1 Will snow
storage disrupt pedestrian access
411
k t
ee ot

1540
Rd

or visibility?,A.4.1 Is the
Cr Ellic

45
0 405
2520
2521
1522 B.1.5 Do raised medians provide
a safe waiting area (refuge) 399
for pedestrians?,B.8.2 Are crossing 2519
points for pedestrians properly 384 393
C.1.2 Are the sidewalks
1504 signed and / or marked?,B.9.1
/ paths designed appropriately?,C.1.3
Are pedestrian signal heads 387
Are buildings entrances located and 378
provided and adequate? 0
6 designed to be obvious and easily
accessible to pedestrians?,C.3.2 381
0 372
A.1.5 Is there adequate separation 10 Are transitions of pedestrian
distance between vehicular traffic 2504 facilities between developments / 0
366 375
projects adequate?,C.5.1
Niagara

and pedestrians?,A.2.1 Will snow

Falls
Blvd

0
storage disrupt pedestrian 16 2507
access or visibility?,A.2.3 Is the 20 360 369
0
walking surface too steep?,A.4.2 2494
0
1484 Does street lighting improve 26
363
356
pedestrian visibility at
1478 2487 0
2488 Legend
357
30 Generators
29 0 348

Denrose Dr
Crossing

36 2480 351
1472 35 0 344
2479 2463 Parking Area
40 0
39 2476 B.2.1 Is the crossing 340 345

X
Y
Dexter Ter

Edgewater Dr

pavement adequate 0 Streets

46 339
45 2458 and well maintained?, 332
1458
50 A.2.2 Is the path clear from
B.8.2 Are crossing points
for pedestrians properly
0
a
Æ Transit

333
51
56
both temporary and permanent
obstructions?,A.2.4 Is
signed and / or marked?
2455
0

0
328
ù Pedestrian Injury

12 55 the walking surface adequate and

well-maintained?,A.6.2 Does the
5/26/2017 320
ù 327
Pedestrian Fatalities

&
V
59 0
20 60 number of driveways make the route 2451 316 BUFFALO

undesirable for pedestrian travel? 0

26
65 66
0 312 Ñ 329
CSX
323

#
70 2436 2443
71 0 308 STATE
B.1.5 Do raised medians provide a
D.1.1 Are bus Peppertree Dr
32
safe waiting area (refuge) for
75 pedestrians?,B.1.9 Are crosswalks Crosswalk
stops sited 142
300 ' TOWN

%
properly? 0
sited along pedestrian desire missing VILLAGE
Forbes Ave lines?,B.4.1 Is the pedestrian ladder 293
crossing adequately lit?,B.7.2 Are
there suf?cient gaps in the
135

Paper street curb return should be replaced with regular driveway

$ PRIVATE

42 87 traf?c to allow pedestrians to

2400
2425
0 286 Ú
Ê 289
PRIVATE-NYS

0 Tonawanda Parcels
285
46 93 Missing sidewalk blocks, numerous driveway cuts no longer used 280
Amherst Parcels

52 97 98 0 281
Streets

Full GIS Map Data Available at: Figure 6 Feet

Forbes Avenue to North Ellicott Road

100 50 0 100
https://arcg.is/0fDfT9
The Ellicott Creek bridge has 5 foot wide sidewalks with a 5 foot travel edge offset. Erie County parks is
responsible for snow removal on the west side sidewalk of the bridge.

The Ellicott Creek Trailway crosses Niagara Falls Boulevard on the north leg of North Ellicott Creek Road. The
10 foot wide trail approach in the northeast corner is at 90° to the north crosswalk which is only 6 feet wide.
The entrance to Ellicott Creek Park constitutes the west leg of the intersection. There is a kayak launch in the
southwest quadrant at South Ellicott Creek Road.

There are two northbound and two southbound transit stops within this segment. Transit stops do not have
shelter nor seating. Loading areas and surfaces are substandard.

Two pedestrian injury crashes are reported in this segment.

North Ellicott Road to Hennepin Road – Figure 7

Notable land use within this segment includes another 150 foot wide
overhead utility corridor. St. Christopher’s RC Church and Elementary
school affronts a majority of the segment and Irvington Park is within a
four minute walk (0.24 mi) on the west side. Three vacant parcels are on
the east side where sidewalk surface defects were noted. One residence
and Ellicott Park Court Motel are on the west side.

Bicycles were observed on the sidewalk. There are no sidewalks on Irwin

Road nor Hennepin Road and sidewalk is missing on the south side of
Irvington Drive (Figure 7a).

A 35 MPH school zone speed reduction is in place 7:00 – 8:30 AM and

2:00– 3:30 PM school days for St. Christopher’s elementary school.

Excessive curb cuts were noted for driveways to businesses on the east
side. There are no transit stops within this segment.

No pedestrian crashes were reported within this segment.

Hennepin Road to North French Road – Figure 8 Figure 7a South side of Irvington Drive

The segment includes commercial and retail. Ellicott Creek Park Island and
the Canalway Trail are located on the west side at Creekside Drive and along Old Niagara Falls Boulevard
respectively. The centerline of Creekside Drive forms the northern boundary of the Town of Tonawanda. The
Town of Amherst is north of Creekside Drive on both sides of the corridor.

Report Date: August 2018 Page 8

 µ
2600 16 139
20 135
2787 45
60 2760 136
24
70 28
126 127
74 25 2752 33
76 32
2753

Rd
78
120
35

in
90 36

ep
2740
115

nn
39 21
B.1.5 Do raised medians provide

He
42 a safe waiting area (refuge) for
90 110
94 pedestrians?,B.2.1 Is the No sidewalks
84 43

Luzerne Rd
80 48 crossing pavement adequate on Hennepin 17
74 and well maintained?,B.6.1 105
68
Are driveways placed close 2733
nP l 54 to crossings?,B.9.2 Are traf?c 100
tleto
64 Cas and pedestrian signals 97
timed so that wait times and
95 60 2727
91 2720
83 32
64 89
79 90
75 28
71 2712
67 2715
73
320 81 424
63 24
2700 36
80
55 School zone speed, 75
304
Connectin

no crossing
NYS535

Wayne Ave
286 Irvington Dr
guards stationed
Road

280
270 426
g

No sidewalk
south side 2695
60
irvington 29 55

289

271 287
Niagara Falls Blvd

279 2689 15 52
B.2.1 Is the crossing pavement
adequate and well maintained?,B.4.1 39
265
Is the pedestrian crossing
adequately lit?,B.9.2
Are traffic and pedestrian signals A.2.4 Is the walking
timed so that wait times and crossing 2685 surface adequate and
times are reasonable? well-maintained?
36
C.1.3 Are buildings entrances
located and designed to
be obvious and easily accessible 140
to pedestrians?,C.6.1 Are Excessive
2680 travel paths for pedestrians and curb cut 20
2681
other vehicle modes clearly Legend
16
delineated at access openings?
Crossing
12
2671
B.6.1 Are driveways Sidewalk 8
Marquette

Parking Area
placed close on Irwin 3 120
4
Ct

to crossings? missing
B.1.10 Are corners and curb ramps Irwin Rd X
Y Streets

appropriately planned and designed at

each approach to the crossing?, Detectable
a
Æ Transit

B.2.1 Is the crossing pavement

adequate and well maintained?,
non
conforming 2655
ù Pedestrian Injury

B.4.1 Is the pedestrian ù Pedestrian Fatalities

&
V
crossing adequately lit?,"B.8.1 Is
paint on stop bars and crosswal Northbound land BUFFALO
2616 suthbound left turn
phase called without
dectection. Complicated
2629
Ñ CSX

signal interconnection 12
and phasing D.2.3 Is a sufficient landing 32 # STATE

Ellicott Creek
P ark
North
leg crossing
area provided to accommodate
42
' TOWN

%
2600 waiting passengers, boarding 68
too narrow / alighting passengers, and VILLAGE
74
B.2.1 Is the crossing pavement NE
$
through / bypassing pedestrian llico
adequate and well maintained?, NYS101 traffic at peak times?,D.2.4 tt C
reek PRIVATE
86
B.4.1 Is the pedestrian Is the landing area paved Rd
crossing adequately lit?,B.9.2
Are traf?c and pedestrian signals
and free of problems such as
uneven surfaces, stand
Ú
Ê PRIVATE-NYS

Tonawanda Parcels
timed so that wait times Amherst Parcels
and crossing times are reasonable? Streets

Full GIS Map Data Available at: Figure 7 Feet

North Ellicott Road to Hennepin Road

100 50 0 100
https://arcg.is/0fDfT9
 2952

10
2952
Missing crosswalk
2945
100 130 µ 140

west leg, detectable N French Rd

not oriented correctly A.1.2 If no sidewalk is present, is there
200 a walkable shoulder (e.g. wide enough
B.2.1 Is the crossing No crosswalk
Ramp slope to accommodate cyclists /
pavement adequate and on north
excessive pedestrians) on the road or other
well maintained?,B.2.2 french
Is the crossing pavement ?ush pathway / trail nearby?,A.6.2 Does the
with the roadway surface? 2.6 foot number of driveways make the route
snow storage undesirable for pedestrian travel?

2920 D.1.2 Are safe pedestrian crossings 2915

convenient for transit and school bus
90 users?,D.2.3 Is a sufficient landing
area provided to accommodate waiting
passengers, boarding / alighting
passengers, and through / bypassing
pedestrian traffic at peak times?,D. 135

2900 A.1.5 Is there adequate separation

distance between vehicular traffic
and pedestrians?,A.2.1 Will snow
storage disrupt pedestrian
access or visibility?, 2875
A.4.2 Does street lighting improve
pedestrian visibility at night?,
A.6.2 Does the number of driveways
Old Falls
Nia

2.7 foot snow

Blv

gar

storage ,driveway 2865

d

views obstructed
A.1.5 Is there adequate separation 2850 by fixed objects
distance between vehicular traffic and excessive curb cut
pedestrians?,A.2.1 Will snow storage
disrupt pedestrian access or 2855
Niagara Falls Blvd

visibility?,A.4.2 Does street lighting C.3.1 Are pedestrian facilities

improve pedestrian visibility at night?, continuous? Do they provide
A.6.1 Are the conditions at drivew adequate connections for
pedestrian traffic?,C.3.2 Are
transitions of pedestrian
facilities between developments
C.1.2 Are the sidewalks / paths / projects adequate?
designed appropriately?,C.1.3 Are
buildings entrances located and
designed to be obvious and
easily accessible to pedestrians?, 2825 80
C.3.1 Are pedestrian facilities
continuous? Do they provide
adequate connections for pedestria
Park R d Legend
Sidewalk from
Sidewalk north old falls B.1.4 Are pedestrian crossings located
Crossing
side of creekside Blvd should connect in areas where sight distance may be a
missing problem?,B.1.9 Are crosswalks sited
No sidewalk north Parking Area
Creekside Dr along pedestrian desire lines?,B.2.1
D.1.1 Are side creekside
Is the crossing pavement adequate
bus stops
sited properly?
East crossing too
far back, push
and well maintained?,B.3.1 Streets

Does pedestrian network connectivity cont

X
Y
buttons incorrect
location. drainage
a
Æ Transit

D.4.1 Are access ways to

transit facilities well-lit structures in path
37 43 53
ù 65 Pedestrian Injury
75

to accommodate early-morning,
late-afternoon, and evening Far from
0
ù Pedestrian Fatalities

34
22
intersection
0
0
&
V BUFFALO

2600
Ñ
Hennepin Rd

B.1.9 Are crosswalks sited along B.1.3 Does a 65

24 CSX
pedestrian desire lines?, skewed intersection
#
4 B.1.10 Are corners and direct drivers focus STATE
curb ramps appropriately planned away from crossing
'
8 and designed at each approach to 139
Lu

pedestrians? Wa
ze

the crossing?,B.2.1 Is the yn TOWN

12 eA
%
rne

crossing pavement adequate ve

2787 VILLAGE
Rd

and well maintained?,B.4.1 Is

$
16
the pedestrian crossing
20 45 PRIVATE
135
2760
60
24
136
Ú
Ê PRIVATE-NYS

70 33 Tonawanda Parcels
127
74 28 2753
76 126 Amherst Parcels
78 25 2752
94 90 32 Streets

Full GIS Map Data Available at: Figure 8 Feet

Hennepin Road to North French Road

100 50 0 100
https://arcg.is/0fDfT9
 There is handrail along the sidewalk on the west side
along 2850 Niagara Falls Boulevard due to the vertical
elevation drop at the parcel.

Sidewalk is missing on the north side of Creekside

Road west of the Boulevard leading to the park
parking lot. There are no sidewalks on North French
Road west of the boulevard. Crosswalks were not
marked on North French Road and ADA detectable
rams were improperly oriented. Sidewalk offsets less
than three feet from the curbline were noted on both
sides.

There one northbound and two southbound transit

Figure 8a Northbound Transit Stop at Creekside Dr. stops within this segment. The southbound stop is
approximately 160 feet south of the southwest corner
of the intersection of Creekside Drive. Transit stops do not have shelter nor seating (Figure 8a). Loading areas
and surfaces are substandard.

No pedestrian crashes were reported within this segment.

North French Road to East Robinson Road – Figure 9

The segment has suburban commercial/office land use. Gas stations are in the northeast and southeast
corners at East Robinson Road. A large shopping center is also in the north east corner. The driveway to the
gas station in the northeast corner is too close to the crosswalk.

The sidewalk on the east side north of East Robinson Road has no separation from the curb. The crosswalks are
too far back from the sidewalk pedestrian desire lines. There is no pedestrian refuge at the intersection.

There are no transit stops within this segment.

One pedestrian fatality crash was reported in this segment.

General Corridor Observations

 Parking lots tended to be paved into the corridor ROW up to the back edge of sidewalks.
 Businesses lacked sufficient pedestrian connectivity to the corridor sidewalk.
 Many bicyclists were observed riding on the sidewalks. The audit team interviewed a bicyclist at the I-
290 eastbound on ramp. That interview is available at https://youtu.be/iqOvn9Bsugo . Note vehicles
not yielding to pedestrian in crosswalk.
 Several pedestrian crossings were observed outside of marked crosswalks.
 Bus stops lacked seating and proper loading surfaces.
 Detectable warning plates at curb ramps were improperly oriented. Curb radii greater than 30 feet.
 Pedestrian crossing wait times for crossing are excessive due to long cycle lengths at traffic signals.
 Pedestrian crossing times at signalized intersections are improperly timed.
 Long distances between signalized intersections compete with pedestrian generators and desire lines.
An example of a handicapped pedestrian crossing midblock can be viewed at
https://youtu.be/ooU310I024E . Note pedestrian gets trapped in the center two way turn lane.

Report Date: August 2018 Page 9

 3020
B.1.1 Do wide curb radii lengthen
pedestrian crossing distances
and encourage high-speed right
3010 turns?,B.1.5 Do raised medians
provide a safe waiting area
(refuge) for pedestrians?,B.1.9 Are
crosswalks sited along pedestrian
desire lines?,B.4.1 Is the ped
Driveway too close, push button to far from ramp
E Robinson Rd
Medians on each
Robinson may
be helpful
Crosswalks set too
far back. Slope on
No transit stop ramp excessive
D.1.1 Are bus stops sited properly?, signage observed
D.2.3 Is a sufficient landing area on any leg. Transit
provided to accommodate stops are reported
waiting passengers, boarding / but missing
alighting passengers, and through
2/12/2014
/ bypassing pedestrian traffic at
peak times?,D.3.2 Are transit
stops part of a continuous net
147
Niagara
µ
3035
3005
A.1.5 Is there adequate separation
distance between vehicular traffic
and pedestrians?,A.2.1 Will snow
storage disrupt pedestrian
access or visibility?,A.2.4 Is
the walking surface adequate
and well-maintained?,A.4.1 Is
the sidewalk adequately lit?,A.6.1
B.6.1 Are driveways placed
close to crossings?,B.7.1
Do turning vehicles pose
a hazard to pedestrians?
B.1.10 Are corners and curb ramps
appropriately planned and
designed at each approach 3841
2977
to the crossing?,B.4.1 Is
the pedestrian crossing adequately
lit?,B.7.3 Do traffic operations
(especially during peak periods),B.8.2
Are crossing points for pedestrians

Walgreens
connected C.1.1 Do sidewalks /
to sidewalk paths connect the street
and adjacent land uses?
Falls B

2965
d lv

2952

Legend
A.2.4 Is the walking
B.4.1 Is the pedestrian crossing B.2.1 Is the crossing surface adequate and Crossing

adequately lit?,B.8.1 Is paint on pavement adequate and well-maintained?

stop bars and crosswalks well maintained?,B.2.2 Is
Parking Area
worn, or are signs worn, missing, the crossing pavement ?ush 100
with the roadway surface? 2945
or damaged?,B.8.2 Are crossing
points for pedestrians properly D.1.2 Are safe pedestrian crossings X
Y Streets

signed and / or marked? convenient for transit and school bus

Missing crosswalk west

users?,D.2.3 Is a sufficient landing a
Æ Transit

area provided to accommodate

leg, detectable not
oriented correctly
waiting passengers, boarding / alighting ù Pedestrian Injury

10 passengers, and through / bypassing

pedestrian traffic at peak times?,D.3 ù Pedestrian Fatalities

A.1.2 If no sidewalk is present, is there

a walkable shoulder (e.g. wide enough
N French Rd No crosswalk on
north french
&
V BUFFALO

to accommodate cyclists /
pedestrians) on the road or other
D.1.2 Are safe pedestrian
crossings convenient for transit Ñ CSX

pathway / trail nearby?,A.6.2 Does the

number of driveways make the route
Ramp slope
and school bus users?,D.2.3 Is a
sufficient landing area provided # STATE

undesirable for pedestrian travel?

excessive to accommodate waiting passengers,
boarding / alighting passengers, ' TOWN

2.6 foot
and through / bypassing pedestrian
traffic at peak times?,D. % VILLAGE

2920 snow storage

2915
$ PRIVATE
Old lls Bl

Ú
Ê
Fa

PRIVATE-NYS
Nia vd
gar

Tonawanda Parcels
Amherst Parcels
a

Streets

Full GIS Map Data Available at: Figure 9 Feet

North French Road to East Robinson Road

50 25 0 50
https://arcg.is/0fDfT9
Table 2 Pedestrian Crossing Intervals along Niagara Falls Boulevard that do not meet minimum crossing time
Calculated
Intersection Leg Field Measure
(3.5/sec)

Ridge Lea North Leg 28 sec 38 sec

South Leg 28 sec 37 sec

Edward White North Leg 24 sec 28 sec

South Leg 24 sec 28 sec
East Leg 19 sec 24 sec
West Leg 21 sec 24 sec

Home Depot North Leg 28 sec 36 sec

Table 3 ADA Accessible Ramp and Signal Push Button Deficiencies

Push Button distance
Push Button distance Push Button
to clear ground
Intersection Corner to curbline exceeds mounting height is
space exceeds 10
maximum distance too high or low
inches
Ridge Lea Road SE
NE X
NW X X
SW X
EB I-290 Off-Ramp / Half Signal NE X X X
NW X
Greenhaven Terrace NE
NW
SW X
Home Depot Plaza NE X X X
NW X
Willowridge Drive SE
NE
NW X
Edward White Drive SE X
NE
NW
SW X
S. Ellicott Creek Road SE X X
NE X X
NW X X
N. Ellicott Creek Road SE X
NE X X
NW
Report Date: August 2018 Page 10
 µ
#NYS -
E Robinson Rd

1870 '
#NYS408
Creekside Dr

1094 '
#NYS535
Irvington Dr

1055 '
N Ellic
#
ott C r
NYS101 eek R
d
d
#

312 '
kR
ee
t Cr
ot
llic
Niagara Falls Blvd
E 2712 '

#NYS367
Vinson Ave
1594 '

NYS299
#
764 '

Driveway
ÚNYS510P
Ê
1048 '

#NYS259
Greenhaven Ter
Legend

&
V BUFFALO
445 '

NYS255
# Ñ CSX

#
976 '

Ramp STATE

' TOWN

#NYS - % VILLAGE
469 '

$
#NYS284
PRIVATE
Koenig Rd Ridge Lea Rd

Ú
Ê
(c) OpenStreetMap and contributors, Creative Commons-Share Alike LicensePRIVATE-NYS
BY-SA)
(CC-
NFBSignalizedStreets

# Figure 10
Ú
Ê 1,000 500
Feet
0 1,000
Signalized Intersection Spacing
 Push Button distance
Push Button distance Push Button
to clear ground
Intersection Corner to curbline exceeds mounting height is
space exceeds 10
maximum distance too high or low
inches
Irvington Drive SE
NE
NW
SW
Creekside Drive SE X
NE X X
NW X
SW X
E. Robinson Road SE X
NE X
NW
SW

Conclusions

Low profile development patterns along the corridor over the past few decades have not complemented
available transportation features which have been primarily design to accommodate the movement of
motorized traffic. Auto dependent commercial businesses has not encouraged safe and efficient pedestrian
activity. Limited pedestrian activity is further diminished by lack of supporting pedestrian design elements such
as pedestrian refuge, vegetative buffering, shorter crossing distances, pedestrian friendly businesses,
infrequent and uncoordinated street crossing points.

Respectfully submitted:

James B. Jones, PE, CFM, Town Engineer Christopher Schregel, LSIT

Town of Tonawanda Principal Engineer Assistant
Office of the Town Engineer Town of Amherst Engineering Dept.
2919 Delaware Ave. 1100 N. Forest Road, Williamsville 14221
Kenmore, NY 14217 716-631-7154
(716) 877-8805 cschregel@amherst.ny.us
jjones@tonawanda.ny.us

Figure 11 Pedestrian crossing midblock north of Forbes Ave.

Report Date: August 2018 Page 11