Safe Streets for Morse School

(fifth draft)
by Daniel Convissor
February 5, 2016

Inappropriate behavior by several people driving kids to Winfield L. Morse School are causing safety and congestion problems on Pocantico St by the school. This road has two narrow travel lanes, plus one parking lane on the west side (along the Van Tassell Apartments).

The main place people want to park on Pocantico St is the loading zone next to the mid-block crosswalk. Getting in and out of these spots entails driving through the crosswalk. Some people even park in the crosswalk. Occasionally, there are regular parking spots available too. Traffic gets snarled by people waiting for, and backing into, spots. Some people stop or double park in the moving lanes, completely blocking Pocantico St in one direction. Some park in the handicapped spot that's next to the loading zone. A few even drive onto the sidewalk!

Below are means to improve safety and traffic flow.

Since the first draft of this document, some enhancements were implemented on February 3. Cones were placed in the loading zone on each side of the crosswalk. Another cone was placed between the two moving lanes, just next to the crosswalk. Behavior of people driving has noticeably improved. This indicates we'll have success with the suggestions put forth in the "Engineering" section, below.

Police Presence

The level of selfish and dangerous behavior calls for an officer to be posted on Pocantico St by the school during the arrival and dismissal times. The officers need to shoo away anyone stopping on, or parking inappropriately along, Pocantico St.

• Arrival: 7:40 - 8:15
• Dismissal: 2:35 - 3:00

The critical mornings are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. No parking rules for street cleaning kick in at 8am on Monday and Thursday, so many parking spaces are already open during arrivals those mornings.

While one would think the following goes without saying, given what happened when officers were on site for the first couple days of school this fall, it needs to be said. The officers should either walk to the school, park on Beekman, or park in an out of the way spot in the school parking lot.

Use Parking on Beekman and Washington

In the mornings, ample parking is available on Beekman Ave and on North Washington St. But some small changes to alternate side times are needed to legalize it.

Existing Parking Regulations

• Beekman Ave (between Washington and Teresa)
  • south side: 7a - 8a M, W, F
  • north side: 7a - 8a T, T
• N Washington St (north of Beekman)
  • west side: 8a - 9a M, W, F
  • east side: 8a - 9a T, T
• Pocantico St (north of Beekman)
  • west side: 8a - 9a M, Th
• (Meters start at 9am)

Action Items

• Village: Adjust parking regulations
  • Beekman Ave, between Washington and Pocantico
    • Shift alternate side hours to either end at least 30 minutes earlier OR start at least 90 minutes later
    • Implement 10 minute parking limit on both sides: 7:30 am - 8:30 am
  • North Washington St, north of Beekman
    • Shift alternate side hours to start at least 30 minutes later
    • Along the first 100 feet, implement 10 minute parking limit on both sides: 7:30 am - 8:30 am
  • Pocantico St, between Beekman and Elm
    • Shift alternate side hours to start at least 30 minutes later. Ensures Morse drop off finishes and parking spots are clear before the street sweeper arrives.
  • Adjust loading zone and handicapped spot by the crosswalk. (Further explained in the "Engineering" section, below.)
  • TBD: afternoon parking adjustments, if any
• Morse: Send memo to parents saying to park on Beekman or Washington

Engineering at the Mid-Block Crosswalk

• Replace the "School Crossing" sign with "Yield Here to Pedestrians" signs facing both directions on both sides of the street.
• Install a pinchpoint (see this great example) at the crosswalk on the west side of the street. This will improve visibility and guarantee people can't park in the crosswalk. It can be done quickly and cheaply with some bollards. Maybe use some paint and two small planters or concrete blocks.
• The apartment building has another loading zone on Elm St. So it's possible to remove the loading zone here. But if the loading zone on Pocantico St is to remain, take the following measures:
  • Move the handicapped spot to the north side of the pinchpoint, shortening the distance to the crosswalk and curb cut for disabled people.
  • Move the loading zone to the south side of the pinchpoint. Doing so helpfully puts the back door of trucks near the crosswalk and curb cut.

Continue Off-Campus Drop Off & Pick Up

In prior years, parents could drive into Morse's parking lot and drop off or pick up their kids through the cafeteria. This had major problems, leading to decreased safety and increased stress.

• Many dozens of people driving across the busy Pocantico St sidewalk
• Many people driving had to wait on Pocantico St for an opportunity to turn into the lot, causing significant congestion on Pocantico St
• Some people driving exited onto Pocantico St and wanted to turn left, but there was no room for them to go, resulting in gridlock.

While the current situation needs the improvements discussed above, it's way better than the old situation.

More Sleepy Hollow information is available on the web, @DanielConvissor and #SleepyHollowNY