Attachment C - Non-Standard Crosswalk Policy-Rev 2020.pdf

Non-Standard Crosswalk 
Marking Program 
DRAFT 
POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND 
REQUIREMENTS 
2020
Attachment C

Non-Standard Crosswalk Marking Program 
 
I. 
INTRODUCTION: 
In recent years, several cities have created policies allowing businesses, organizations and 
communities the ability to request non-standard crosswalks. Non-standard crosswalks 
incorporate designs or multi-color treatments within the interior portion between the existing 
white lines. Such elements do not provide additional safety to pedestrians above and beyond the 
standard reflective crosswalks. The purpose of a policy would be to allow the consideration of 
non-standard crosswalk installations, if requested, while providing requirements for its design, 
installation and ongoing maintenance as to not compromise the safety of pedestrian crossings or 
to place additional financial burden on the City. 
Non-standard crosswalk treatments do not conform with the Federal Highway Administration’s 
(FHWA) 2011 Official Ruling on the approved uses of colored treatments in crosswalks. According 
to a FHWA memorandum, crosswalk treatments should be subdued-colored treatments between 
the legally marked transverse crosswalk lines that are devoid of retroreflective properties and do 
not diminish the effectiveness of the required white transverse markings used to establish the 
crosswalk. Non-conforming types of decorative crosswalks may pose safety and liability issues 
since the design does not meet FHWA standards for crosswalk markings. As a result, caution must 
be exercised in considering the potential installation of non-standard crosswalks. 
On June 19, 2019, Phoenix City Council adopted Ordinance S-45794, which allows the City of 
Phoenix (City) Street Transportation Department (Streets) to implement the Non-Standard 
Crosswalk Marking Program and these policies and procedures. The purpose of these is to ensure 
public safety and to provide standards for the implementation of non-standard crosswalks within 
the City. 
The City is committed to maintaining safe transportation options to its residents and to resolve 
any challenges as the process evolves.  As such, the City reserves the right to amend these

regulations as the City gathers information and identifies challenges.  
A key to the program's success will be an open and productive partnership between the City and 
residents or groups wishing to install a non-standard crosswalk; working together to address 
community concerns about safety and impacts on members of the public who walk, bike or drive 
in Phoenix. 
II. 
DEFINITIONS: 
 
Applicant means the person, organization, or entity who applies for the installation of a 
Non-Standard Crosswalk.  
 
City means the City of Phoenix.  
 
III. 
APPLICATION: 
To apply for installation of a Non-Standard Crosswalk, Applicant must complete and submit the 
attached application, a $500.00 application fee, proposed design and all supporting 
documentation.    
Applicant must submit completed applications to: 
City of Phoenix – Street Transportation Department 
c/o Non-Standard Crosswalk Program 
200 West Washington Street, 6th Floor 
Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1611 
 
 The City will review the proposed design and perform a field review of the proposed 
location(s). 
 Once the proposed design is conditionally approved by the City, Applicant will be 
notified. 
 The City will send notification to all properties within 500’ of the proposed non-standard 
crosswalk location.  Any feedback received will be provided to the City Council during 
the approval process. 
 Applicant must submit a final design on a scaled plan drawing with dimensions 
identifying existing pavement type. 
 The final design plan and material specifications will be submitted to and receive  
pre-approval by the Street Transportation Director and final approval by the City Council 
prior to installation.

 Street Transportation department will issue a maintenance agreement to the requesting 
entity for signatures. 
 Public notification and final payment will be processed prior to installation. 
 
IV. 
LOCATIONS: 
 
The crosswalk must be at a location where there is an existing marked crosswalk and 
where a vehicle is already required to stop, either due to a traffic signal, HAWK, or stop 
sign. 
 
The crosswalk is recommended to be on a street with lower traffic volumes and widths 
of no more than five lanes.  This will help extend the life of markings and limit overall 
square footage to reduce the cost. 
 
The pavement must be in good condition within 100-feet each direction of the proposed 
installation location.  The area cannot be programed for any pavement treatment within 
the next two years. 
 
The existing crosswalk will be refreshed at the location as part of the installation.  The 
standard crosswalk with two transverse stripes will have the gap set to 10’ and a stop 
bar will be added at the location.   
 
An existing high visibility crosswalk, or ladder style crosswalk, cannot be converted to a 
standard crosswalk.  If desired for the design, converting a standard crosswalk to a high 
visibility crosswalk will be considered on a case by case basis. 
V. 
DESIGN: 
 
 
All designs shall be of solid colors or pattern of colors (not white) in-between the 
standard markings of the crosswalk. 
 
Images, graphics, text or logos are not allowed.  Three dimensional designs are not 
allowed. Promotions of a private entity (commercial, advertising or other community 
organization) will also not be accepted. 
 At a standard crosswalk, the design must be within the 10’ gap between the two white 
standard markings.   The design must include a 3-inch black margin (gap) between the 
standard crosswalk markings and any design elements.   
 
At a high visibility crosswalk or ladder style crosswalk, the design shall be a consistent 
color or pattern between each vertical bar.  The design must include a 3-inch black 
margin (gap) between all the high visibility markings.  
 
Images that are deemed by the City to create a distraction or confusion to existing 
traffic signs will not be accepted.

 
The design should contribute to the visual quality of the streetscape. For example, 
consider using a limited palette of colors and simple graphic images to avoid visual 
clutter. If original artwork is being created, a lead artist/designer should be responsible 
for designing the images.  
 
The design materials shall consist of preformed thermoplastic.  The material shall 
provide a non-slip surface for pedestrians and be non-reflective. 
 
If more than one crosswalk has been identified for the intersection, artwork shall have 
consistency of style to create a unified aesthetic at the intersection. 
 
The City will have the final approval of all designs.  
 
VI:      
COSTS: 
 
All costs associated with the installation for the crosswalk will be the responsibility of 
the Applicant - including refreshing the existing crosswalk, addition of a stop bar if 
needed, and traffic control. 
 
All installations will be performed only by City of Phoenix staff 
 
Costs for a typical crosswalk are approximately $25-$30/square foot dependent upon 
the length, design, and traffic control needed during installation. Quotes may be 
requested by the requesting entity prior to submittal of the application and fee.   
 
Complete payment must be made prior to installation.  
 
VII:       MAINTENANCE: 
 
All costs associated with the upkeep and maintenance of the crosswalk design will be 
the responsibility of the Applicant.  
 
All maintenance will be performed only by City of Phoenix staff 
 
Depending on the amount of vehicle traffic on the street, non-standard crosswalks can 
last up to five years.   
 
The City will notify the requestor when maintenance will be required, perform the 
maintenance and bill the requesting entity.   
 
If the requesting entity no longer wishes to maintain the non-standard crosswalk, the 
crosswalk will be restored to its original condition by City of Phoenix staff at the cost of 
the requesting entity and the maintenance agreement terminated.  
 
Replacement of Non-Standard Crosswalks damaged or removed as the result of street 
maintenance activities is the responsibility of the Applicant.

 
Cost of replacement of Non-Standard Crosswalks due to utility work is the responsibility 
of the company requesting the utility work.  All work will be performed by City of 
Phoenix staff.

Non-Standard Crosswalk Application 
Date:    
 
 
 
Applicant/Organization Name: 
 
_____________ 
 
 
 
 
 
Address: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Phone No.:  
 
 
 
Email:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If this is a neighborhood group, please provide name of group: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
☐ I have confirmed with Neighborhood Services Department that this is a registered 
Neighborhood Group. 
Requested Crosswalk Location(s) (intersections):  
 
1.  
 
 
 
 
 
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2.  
 
 
 
 
 
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3.  
 
 
 
 
 
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Please attach your proposed crosswalk design and submit with application and  
$500 application fee.  
Checks can be made out to City of Phoenix.  Please put “Non-Standard Crosswalk Application” 
in the memo section