SERVICES | TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS - SAFETY

The application of pedestrian safety programs and services has earned the City of San Jose national recognition for its record in pedestrian safety. The City has been awarded the national Grand Award for pedestrian safety from the American Automobile Association for 12 out of the last 15 years in competition against similarly sized cities from across the nation.

If you would like more information or assistance on any of the items listed, please call us at (408) 535-3850, unless otherwise noted.

Residential Pedestrian Concerns

View San Jose's Crosswalk Brochure in PDF format

The Department of Transportation provides for the safe and efficient movement of pedestrians in your residential neighborhood. The following list contains some of the more common pedestrian concerns received.

• Crosswalk Studies (Installation and Removal)
• Signing and Pavement Marking Requests
• Visibility
• New Streetlight Request (Department of Public Works. 535-8300)
• Streetlight Repair (Streetlight Section. 277-5517)
• Broken or Uneven Sidewalks (Sidewalk Section. 277-2572)
• New Sidewalk Construction (Capital Improvement Program)
• Street Tree Issues (Street Tree Section. 277-2762)

School Pedestrian Concerns

A dedicated staff provides information and assistance to schools, parents, teachers, and administrators to address specific pedestrian concerns located adjacent to schools.

• School Pedestrian Safety Committee: This advisory committee acts on matters involving school safety and ensures that crossing guards are allocated equitably throughout the City.
• Walking Routs to School: Program is available to educate school age children about walking safely to and from school.
• Adult Crossing Guard Request: Studies are performed to determine if an intersection meets minimum criteria to place an adult crossing guard.
• Adult Crossing Guard Program: San Jose Police Department (SJPD) is responsible for the administration of this program, including hiring and supervising the crossing guards. (SJPD-School Safety), 277-4553)

Accomodation for Persons with Disabilities

The Department of Transportation is concerned with public right-of-way access for everyone including people with disabilities. Staff is aware of pedestrian mobility concerns for people with various disabilities. The following information describes department programs available to the public.

• Residential Disabled Parking - On-street parking spaces may be marked and signed for use by residents when needed to provide parking within close proximity to a residence. Factors that are taken into consideration when determining if an on-street parking space is appropriate includes the availability and condition of off-street parking, such as a driveway and/or garage; the condition of the pavement, park strip and/or sidewalk area that will be used by an individual entering or exiting a parked vehicle; and the demand for on-street parking in the neighborhood. The possession of a current Department of Motor Vehicles issued disability placard or license plate is required. Residents who would like to request that a location be evaluated for installation of an on-street disabled parking space can either contact (408) 535-3850, or submit a request via email at traffic.calming@sanjoseca.gov .
• Curb Ramp Requests -The Department of Transportation (DOT) administers the Sidewalk Accessibility Curb Ramp Program by identifying locations and managing the installation of curb ramps throughout the city. These ramps provide safer and easier pedestrian access to sidewalks, particularly for persons with disabilities. All newly constructed ramps comply with the current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
   DOT utilizes contractual services to install curb ramps each year through the ongoing capital-funded program. Along with these ongoing City-funded installation projects, the program also assists and coordinates installation projects with a variety of other programs and construction projects.
   DOT staff utilizes a priority approach to select locations for new ramps. Installation project priorities are based on the following criteria:
  
  1. Known routes used, and requests by persons with disabilities
  2. Known locations in the walking route to school plans
  3. Known routes to senior and community centers and around parks
  4. Requests from the community
  To request a new ramp location for review, contact DOT Traffic Operations at 535-3850
• Mobility Access Analysis for People with Disabilities - Upon request, staff conducts a study of obstructions blocking pedestrian or wheelchair travel. Call 535-3850 for information.
• Tactile Guidance for Visually Impaired Pedestrians - This service involves scoring the pavement to define the path for travel across streets. Call 975-3700 for information.
• Audible Traffic Signals - Analysis and Installation. Call 975-3700 for information.

Pedestrian Concerns at Signalized Intersections

Analysis of pedestrian crossing time at signalized intersections.
Requests for pedestrian push buttons and pedestrian signal heads at signalized locations.
Audible Traffic Signal Analysis and Installation. Call 975-3700 for information.

Bicycle Programs

The city encourages residents to drive their bicycles instead of their cars, whenever possible. Bicycling is not only a healthy form of exercise, but trips by bicycle help to reduce congestion and improve air quality. To request more information on any of the Department of Transportation bicycle programs, call 975-3206.

• City-wide Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education Program - The goal of this program is to reduce the number and severity of bicycle and pedestrian traffic accidents through safety presentations to neighborhoods and community organizations on safe bicycling and walking. Call 975-3238 for information.
• Pedestrian and bike safety presentations to schools - To request a presentation call 975-3296.
• Citywide Bicycle Commute Encouragement Program - Bicycle commute assistance for both employees and employers.
• Bike Facilities Development Program - The City has developed a transportation bicycle network that designates over 200 miles of bike lanes and routes, plus over 100 miles of paths and trails. This network is currently under construction with nearly half of the projects either funded or completed. The development of the network is coordinated by the City's Bicycle Advisory Committee and the City Bicycle Coordinator. Call 975-3206 for information.

Our most valuable asset in assuring pedestrian and traffic safety is YOU, the citizen. Your observations are a great help to us. We encourage you to call the Department of Transportattion at 535-3850 if you have any questions regarding pedestrian safety or other safety concerns.