Someone recently sent me this question:

I live at Catherine and Thayer streets, just north of Huron. There’s a crosswalk on Huron just east of State Street, and due to construction there are various signs and fences designed to encourage more people to cross at that crosswalk as they travel to and from U of M central campus. I’m writing to inquire about how to get additional signage (specifically, like that seen in this image: http://www.thesubtimes.com/IMG_0125.jpg) placed at that crosswalk. I’ve found that cars hardly ever yield and simply don’t expect anyone to be crossing there, and thus fail to look for pedestrians or even slow down when someone is already crossing the street.

Well I thought this question might be of interest to others out there.   Here are some responses from the pros:

“This area is under review for changes to improve pedestrian crossings in this area.  WATS agrees that this is an area that needs improved pedestrian facilities. “

Terri Blackmore
Executive Director
Washtenaw Area Transportation Study

 “If you look closely at the top of the sign in the picture. It says “State Law”. The Michigan version of this says “local law” as the MVC does not requiring yielding to pedestrian outside a signal controlled crosswalk. Since we use the MVC we need additional local code to require yielding/ stopping for pedestrians.

The second obstacle in this case would be the installation. We would install a sign mounted directly to a pavement like this most locations. The survival rate of a sign such as this would be pretty low - except in low speed low volume locations. If a median or some refuge space exists it would be possible.”

Hope that is helpful.
Pat (from the City of Ann Arbor)