The purpose of this project is to improve safety on Duke Street between North Ripley Street and North Jordan Street by installing vehicle turn calming treatments at key intersections.

This project supports the City’s adopted Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and severe crashes by 2028. More information on the City’s safety efforts is available on the Vision Zero webpage. 

Overall Project Status: In Design

Crash History and Risk

As part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Vision Zero Work Plan, the City plans to implement turn calming measures on Duke Street between North Ripley Street and North Jordan Street. Duke Street was identified as a high-crash corridor in the latest citywide crash analysis and has had a relatively high frequency of pedestrian crashes, many of which involve drivers making turns.  

Vehicles turning left account for 41% of all pedestrian crashes in the City and make up 21% of all fatal or severe pedestrian crashes. Several pedestrian crashes have occurred at multiple intersections along the Duke Street corridor. 

Left turns can be particularly dangerous for people walking for a few reasons: 

• In most cases, left turning radii are wide, which can lead to higher vehicle speeds and greater pedestrian exposure when crossing the street
• A driver’s visibility is also limited when turning left; it can be obscured by the A pillar in the car and other obstructions 
• Left turns are more complex for drivers as they search for gaps in oncoming traffic and are not always looking for people crossing the street 

What is Turn Calming?

Turn calming measures use physical and visual cues to slow traffic and minimize the number and severity of crashes, increasing safety and comfort for all, especially people walking and bicycling.

Treatments may include:

• “Hardened” double-yellow centerlines
• Quick-build curb bulb-outs
• No Turn on Red regulations
• Signal timing changes to give people walking a head start into an intersection

These treatments are proven to reduce turning speeds and reduce conflicts with pedestrians and have been effective in places like Washington, D.C., Portland, and New York. 

Community Engagement

Status: In Progress

January 22, 2024: Traffic & Parking Board Public Hearing

At its January 22 public hearing, the Traffic & Parking Board voted to approve No Turn on Red (NTOR) restrictions at several intersections on Duke Street between North Ripley Street and Jordan Street:

• Duke Street and North Ripley Street
• Duke Street and South Reynolds Street
• Duke Street and North Paxton Street
• Duke Street and South Pickett Street
• Duke Street and Shoppes of Foxchase entrance

No Turn on Red restrictions are already in place at the following intersections:

• Duke Street and North Pickett Street/Cameron Station Boulevard
• Duke Street and Jordan Street

The proposed No Turn on Reds will be accompanied by Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs), a traffic signal treatment that improves safety by giving people walking a head start into the intersection, before motorists receive the green light. This project also includes the addition of left-turn arrows at select locations as well as turn-calming treatments to slow turning speeds, reduce crossing distances, and improve safety for drivers making left turns.

The materials from the Traffic & Parking Board Public Hearing are provided below:

Docket Report
Staff Presentation
Meeting Recording
Minutes

Design

Status: Complete

30% Design Plans

Construction

Status: Not Started

Construction is planned to take place in late 2024.