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BACKGROUND <br /> A History of Proactive Innovation <br /> The City of Pleasanton prides itself on being a leader in alternative transportation <br /> improvements. The 2005 General Plan was one of the first in the Bay Area to include <br /> provisions for Complete Streets, and Pleasanton was the first City in the area to adopt a <br /> Complete Streets Policy (2008), which required all new roadway and development <br /> projects to consider all users in their design. <br /> For both pedestrian and bicycle improvements the City has been a leader, often <br /> installing innovative improvements and tools to help promote alternative transportation. <br /> Innovative Improvements for People Who Are Walking <br /> A few examples of pedestrian improvements that have been implemented in recent <br /> years include: <br /> Sunol Boulevard& Mission Drive Intersection (Senior Center Intersection) <br /> The pedestrian crossing time has been set well below the national standard for crossing <br /> speed at Sunol Blvd. and Mission Dr., but even the very slow three feet per second <br /> crossing time was found to be a challenge for some of the senior center patrons. As a <br /> result, the City installed microwave detection at the crosswalks to monitor for slower <br /> moving people. This system extends the pedestrian crossing time for anyone that <br /> needs longer times to cross. <br /> Signs, Signals & Rapid Flashing Beacons <br /> Pleasanton was one of the first local agencies to use Fluorescent Yellow-Green Signs <br /> at all pedestrian and school crossing locations. For more than ten years the City has <br /> required pedestrian countdown heads on all traffic signal installations. Countdown <br /> signals at that time were a "trial" device and the City petitioned the State of California to <br /> allow the installations in the City. We were also the first in the Tri-Valley to install <br /> in-pavement flashing crosswalks and rectangular rapid flashing beacons. We have four <br /> traffic signals installed for the sole purpose of crossing pedestrians. <br /> Special Programming and Flashing Yellow Arrows— Hopyard Road& Parkside Drive <br /> One of the most recent and complex improvements for pedestrians is at the intersection <br /> of Hopyard Road at Parkside Drive. This intersection was upgraded to use flashing <br /> yellow arrows operation, but required the City to work with the traffic signal software <br /> programmers to develop special programming that provides protected pedestrian <br /> crossings (pedestrians do not cross at the same time as the left turns). The City is one <br /> of very few local agencies that use the flashing yellow arrow to improve pedestrian <br /> safety. <br /> Innovative Improvements for People Who Are Riding a Bike <br /> There are also numerous examples of improvements for bicyclists. Some examples <br /> include: <br /> Page 2 of 16 <br />