Living in Land Park means embracing all that this vibrant community has to offer. From top-notch schools and stunning homes to the picturesque William Land Park, we are truly fortunate to call this place home. However, amidst the beauty lies a concerning reality - the safety of our residents is at risk. Tragically, we have witnessed serious accidents and even fatalities involving drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, both within the park and school zones.
It is unacceptable that our children cannot journey to school without fear, that we cannot leisurely walk our beloved pets in our neighborhood, or cycle around the park without worrying about life-altering injuries. The current road infrastructure is failing us and our neighbors, prioritizing the convenience of drivers over the safety of the community.
Roundabout Benefits
Improve safety
Promote lower speeds and traffic calming
Reduce conflict points
Lead to improved operational performance
Meet a wide range of traffic conditions because they are versatile in size, shape, and design
The Mighty Mini to the Rescue
Can we find a middle ground between making drivers' lives easier and ensuring the safety of cyclists and pedestrians?
Absolutely! By strategically incorporating mini roundabouts into our road infrastructure, we can achieve this balance. But have you ever come across a mini roundabout in Sacramento?
Chances are, you haven't since they have yet to be constructed here. While there are several circular intersections ("traffic circles") that may resemble roundabouts, they fall short in terms of safety and traffic efficiency. The effectiveness of mini roundabouts has been demonstrated time and time again over the past twenty-five years. Despite this, resistance often stems from lack of familiarity or negative past experiences with other circular intersections. The key to the success of mini roundabouts lies in the "splitter islands" that guide traffic smoothly and gradually around the circle. These lower speeds ensure the safety of pedestrians using crosswalks and make the roads safer for cyclists.
There have been zero pedestrian or bike fatalities in roundabout crosswalks! (20,000 roundabouts)
Safe for Bikes and Pedestrians
At intersections, drivers must always stay alert and obey traffic rules, whether it's at a stop sign, signal, or roundabout. Roundabouts, in particular, offer physical barriers that help reduce traffic speeds, giving drivers more time to avoid accidents and minimizing injuries. Splitter islands also provide a safe space for pedestrians to pause in the middle of the crosswalk.
Moreover, cyclists can proceed through the intersection without waiting for a light to change, allowing them to navigate through more efficiently and safely.
You can read this StreetsblogUSA post or see this flyer from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for more information.
Sacramento's Golden Opportunity
I'm certain that many individuals who have reached out to the City have been informed about the challenging funding environment at present. Perhaps you've heard that Land Park is perceived to have an abundance of resources compared to other areas of the city. Or maybe you've been made aware of the limited number of police officers available to address traffic issues in our neighborhood. In light of these circumstances, how can we effectively advocate for Land Park?
One way to address this is by simultaneously funding projects across the city. Currently, Caltrans' Local Highway Safety Improvement Project has an unprecedented $300 million allocated for safety initiatives in cities. They are willing to provide up to $10 million per city, with a specific focus on intersection safety. Their recommended solution? Roundabouts!
For an estimated cost of $400,000 per intersection, a "modular mini roundabout" can be implemented. This means that the City of Sacramento could potentially have 20 roundabouts funded through a single project! After conducting thorough analysis and engaging in discussions with Caltrans officials, we have developed a plan that is highly likely to succeed and includes strong candidates in Land Park.
The funding is available, and all that remains is for our Department of Public Works to submit an application. The deadline for submission is September 9, 2024.
1 Youngsters of all speeds and sizes in a mini roundabout!
2 ULPN President Kobi Sonoyama setting up.
3 The first group arrives at the roundabout!
4 Honored guests the Wong Family, the subject of a recent front-page Sacramento Bee article. They have been tremendous advocates after Alena was struck by a car at Sutterville and Mead.
Community Education in Action
While safety is serious business, education can be fun! Every July 4, Land Park community members close a few blocks of Govan Way to have a parade for neighborhood children and their families. ULPN and Slow Down Sacramento sponsored the barricade rentals and designed a course that included a functional, full-size mini-roundabout! Material cost was about $150, but you could do a less elaborate demonstration for much less.
It was fantastic to see parents and children learn about these engineering marvels in real time. Some of the younger ones struggled at first but even preschoolers became pros after a lap or 2. We also noticed fewer crashes at the turnaround this year, showing how these intersections are miracles at any speed.
Voice Your Support
The biggest risk to this project is local opposition. This is our best and likely only chance at fixing our dangerous roads within a decade. We must make sure that Public Works, Councilman Jennings, Mayor Steinberg, any any other key decision-maker understand that we support this project. If other neighborhoods balk, we benefit.
You can either have us submit your comment via prefilled Google form or you can create your own letter using our text. Please, of course, be respectful.
I am a resident of Land Park and District 7 and would support a mini-roundabout project in my neighborhood. I have learned how other cities have used mini-roundabouts to make their intersections safer for everyone who uses the streets, whether in a car, on a bicycle, on foot, or other form of transportation. Because I believe in keeping our children safe as they travel to school or to the amenities in William Land Park, I would be proud to demonstrate to the rest of the city how cost-effective modular mini-roundabouts are by being the first neighborhood to install them in our most dangerous intersections.
If you have a group or association, you can also submit a letter! ULPN's letter is here: Letter.
