(Image from Boston.com/The Boston Globe)

First it was Windcrest.  Now it seems that SAPD is also cracking down on jaywalkers.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced that Windcrest police were ticketing Rackspace employees who were on their way to or from lunch at one of the restaurants across Walzem Road from Rackspace’s headquarters at the old Windsor Park Mall, known affectionately as “The Castle”.

Now, there are several anecdotal reports of this happening in San Antonio itself, first at a school, now at some other location (it might even be the airport based on the person’s description of the sign, which I have only seen at the airport.)

So this begs the question, what are the state and local laws regarding jaywalking?  Here is the state law:

Sec. 552.005.  CROSSING AT POINT OTHER THAN CROSSWALK.  (a)  A pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the highway if crossing a roadway at a place:

(1)  other than in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection; or

(2)  where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided.

(b)  Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, a pedestrian may cross only in a marked crosswalk.

(c)  A pedestrian may cross a roadway intersection diagonally only if and in the manner authorized by a traffic control device.

(Source)

By the way, in the transportation code, the term “highway” means any public roadway.

Therefore, if the nearest two intersections to your location have traffic signals, you have to use a marked crosswalk.  This would mostly apply in the downtown area as most suburban arterials don’t have signals at every intersection.

The local ordinance is a little more restrictive: 

Sec. 19-80. – Pedestrian “walk,” “don’t walk” and “wait” signal lights.

(a) Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words “walk,” “wait” or “don’t walk” are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:

(1) “Walk.” Pedestrians facing such signals may proceed across the street in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by drivers of all vehicles.

(2) “Don’t Walk,” or “Wait.” No pedestrians shall start to cross the street in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the “walk” signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the “don’t walk” or “wait” signal is showing.

(b) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than in a crosswalk in any business district.

(Source)

While walking to lunch with my colleagues, we stopped for a “don’t walk” signal at one of the scramble intersections.  One of them noticed that the signal for vehiclular traffic headed our direction was green but that we had a “don’t walk” signal and instinctively realized that something was amiss.  Ah, she must not have read my blog!  (Doesn’t everybody?)  After I explained what was afoot (pun completely intended), she commented that she was really happy with the new configuration and couldn’t wait to cross diagonally– it was like being able to finally do something that had long been verboten.

While out and about, I noticed many other people taking advantage of the diagonal crossing ability.  I did see a couple of instances, though, where people were crossing against the light and obstructing turning vehicles, thus thwarting the intent of the project.  Over time, I’m sure people will understand and adjust to the changes.

For years, I have hoped that the city would install these.  They eliminate the problem of having to wait for pedestrians to clear when making turns.  When pedestrian traffic is heavy, that severely inhibits the number of vehicles that can make a turn while the light is green.  Add to that the fact that most people don’t know that it’s perfectly legal to make a left on red when both streets are one way and sometimes it can take several signal cycles to make a turn at some intersections.

Pedestrian scrambles eliminate this problem because pedestrians only have a ”walk” sign during their exclusive phase or if their crossing does not interfere with turning traffic.  The rest of the time they have a “don’t walk” sign, even if the signal for parallel vehicular traffic is green.  Because it removes that conflict, it also improves safety for pedestrians.  In fact, one study showed a 50% reduction in pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents.

Unfortunately, during my last trip downtown, the three intersections that I think especially need this system didn’t have it yet– the three intersections around Convention Plaza (the triangle around the big orange “Torch of Friendship” statue.)  That right turn from Commerce to Alamo and the right turn from Lasoya to Commerce can be a real pain due to pedestrian volumes at those crossings.  Hopefully those intersections will get this badly needed improvement soon.

In the meantime, here are the intersections that were active last week:

• Commerce/Flores
• Flores/Nueva
• Houston/Navarro
• Houston/St. Mary’s
• Travis/St. Mary’s
• Travis/Navarro
• St. Mary’s/College

The following had the equipment installed but were not active yet:

• Flores/Dolorosa
• St. Mary’s/Market
• Market/Navarro
• Market/Presa
• Commerce/Presa
• Commerce/Navarro
• Commerce/St. Mary’s

UPDATE: Found two more locations on 2/8/10 that were probably there earlier but I just missed them:

• Navarro/Crocket
• Navarro/College

UPDATE: Pedestrian scramble update

Links:

• Wikipedia
• Livablestreets.com/StreetsWiki
• Walkinginfo.org/PEDSAFE

Scramble crossing at Commerce and Flores