Improving the communities where we work is central to what we do, and a recent project in Marysville, Kansas, illustrates that commitment. In partnership with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), we performed a Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) study focused on evaluating traffic operations and safety near Marysville Elementary School.

The study was prompted by several challenges in the area. US-36 serves as a heavily traveled east-west northern corridor through the state and it also carries significant truck traffic because of its connection to U.S. Highway 77 (US-77), a major north-south route. Ensuring safe passage for students living south of the highway is difficult, so the school district discourages walking across it and instead provides bus transportation for those students.

In addition, even though a traffic signal is located at the intersection of US-36 and US-77, students are discouraged from using it because of the heavy truck traffic. Semis frequently need to swing wide to turn from one highway to the other, creating unsafe conditions for pedestrians attempting to cross there.

Given these safety concerns, the study had two main objectives: Assessing if/how students could cross U.S. Highway 36 (US-36) more safely and examining morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up operations to identify opportunities for improvement.

The project team used a multi-faceted methodology that included field observations, crash history reviews, data collection, and analysis. Eight intersections near the school were studied, along with gap studies to evaluate the potential for a school crossing on US-36. The team also met with local representatives to gather their perspectives on current conditions.

Based on our findings, we provided both short- and long-term recommendations. Short-term recommendations included enhancing signage at intersections near the school and correcting pedestrian signage at several locations along US-36. Longer-term suggestions involved making geometric improvements at the US-36/US-77 intersection to improve truck turning movements and potentially make that location suitable for an established school crossing. Alternatively, we proposed adding an established school crossing one block east of the highways’ intersection, giving students a safe way to cross US-36 while avoiding the challenges created by turning truck traffic. This option would need to be supplemented with a reduced school speed zone and would ideally be complemented with a Safe Routes to School plan that encourages students to walk to and from school. Additionally, our recommendations included adding bulb-outs on US-36 to shorten pedestrian crossing distance, improve visibility, and effect traffic calming along the highway.

The results of our study were presented to local representatives for their review and consideration, and they will determine the best way to move forward for their community.

TEAP studies provide local public agencies with engineering assistance to address traffic safety and operational issues. This program helps communities by funding traffic studies and analyses related to providing safe and efficient transportation systems.

If you’re interested in learning more about these studies and how one may assist your community, please reach out to us at sbuckley@jeo.com.