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County Administrator's Report 16. 6.

BCC Regular Meeting

Technical/Public Service Consent

Meeting Date:	12/10/2015
Issue: Pensacola Beach - Flounder's Crosswalk Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons - Dates of Operation
From:	Joy D. Blackmon, P.E.
Department:	Public Works
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Dates of Operation for the Pensacola Beach Flounder's Crosswalk Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director

That the Board authorize the County Administrator or designee, to establish the timeframe of October 1 through January 31, of the subsequent year as the official dates of operation for the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons installed at the Pensacola Beach Flounder's Crosswalk.

BACKGROUND:

Escambia County Public Works staff, in an effort to provide additional safety amenities to a select few crosswalks along Pensacola Beach Boulevard and Via De Luna Drive, installed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at 5 existing crosswalks on these roadways. The RRFBs were installed at the existing crosswalk south of the Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Plaza on Pensacola Beach Boulevard, commonly known as the "Shaggy's Crosswalk," and the first 4 crosswalks east of the signalized intersection of Via De Luna Drive and Fort Pickens Road.

The crosswalk in question, commonly known as the "Flounder's Crosswalk," lies approximately 400' east of the signalized intersection, and at times of moderate-to-high traffic volumes, activation by the pedestrians causes significant queuing of the vehicular traffic. Currently, there is no software capability to synchronize an RRFB to a signalized intersection, or any software capability to delay the activation of the RRFBs.

Pensacola Beach typically begins experiencing a higher amount of guests in February of each year, beginning around Mardi Gras, with March and April being the typical Spring Break months, and the months of May through September as the summer season. Taking into consideration the peak months for Pensacola Beach, county staff is requesting that the Board of County Commissioners approve the time frame of October 1st through January 31st of the subsequent year as the official dates of operation of the RRFBs at the Flounder's Crosswalk.

This action would not affect the functionality of the other 4 crosswalks on Pensacola Beach (detailed above) with RRFBs, as they will maintain constant operation.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

N/A

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

N/A

PERSONNEL:

No additional personnel are anticipated for this action.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Upon approval, Escambia County Public Works staff will install additional signage on the RRFBs detailing the official dates of operation, and will inform SRIA staff of the official dates.

Attachments
No file(s) attached.