• Would we need to add a second adult crossing guard during the times when children travel to and from Harman School? Given that pedestrians are 50% less exposed to vehicular traffic with the roundabout design, there would be no reason why a second permanent adult crossing guard is needed. A crossing guard would likely be staged in the splitting island to assist students crossing either direction of Far Hills Ave. A second guard could be used during the first school year in operation as a means of aiding in educating pedestrians and motorists on the operation of the roundabout and the new crosswalk design.
• How will vehicles be stopped to make the Thruston Blvd pedestrian crossing safe? Crossing Thruston Blvd would be similar to crossing other 2-lane streets in the city of Oakwood. In the case of Five Points, the crosswalk would likely be raised to discourage higher-speed traffic on Thruston Blvd. Such speed reduction devices do not exist on the existing roadway.
• How will vehicles be stopped to make the Oakwood Ave pedestrian crossing safe? The crossing of the south leg of Oakwood Ave would be similar to Thruston Blvd. The crossing of the north leg of Oakwood Ave would be similar to crossing the northbound Far Hills Ave approach.
• Would it be better to move the crosswalks farther away from the intersection? No. Best design practices call for crosswalks to be incorporated within the functional area of the intersection. Moving pedestrian crosswalks further away from the roundabout would result in them operating more like a mid-block crossing where speeds are higher and where motorists are less likely to expect them.
• Why not consider constructing a pedestrian bridge over Far Hills Ave or a tunnel under Far Hills Ave? While a bridge or tunnel could be constructed, the cost/benefit analysis would not support it. Given the amount of underground utilities, a tunnel would be very difficult to build, and would be extremely expensive. Likewise, a bridge would be very expensive. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements would also complicate construction of a bridge or tunnel such that elevators may be required.