OBSERVATION RESULTS To gain a better understanding of the current conditions at the Rothsay school and on roads in Rothsay leading to the school, the SRTS team conducted field observations of students’ travel behaviors, patterns and mode choices during morning arrival and afternoon departure on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. Team members were strategically positioned around the school and in the city of Rothsay. They counted the number of pedestrians and bicyclists accessing school grounds and which routes the students took. They also observed whether students were using good techniques when crossing the street and how motorists behaved in relation to pedestrians and bicyclists on the streets and on school grounds. The detail of observations will depend on the level and concentration of activity at that location and may vary at times at a single location. It should be noted that the 25-mph school zone and beacons at the Old 52 crosswalk were not yet in place the day the observations were made.
Morning Observations
Weather: Local observation at Rothsay, MN: 7:45 AM – 42 °F. Clear. Sunny – Light to calm winds.
Observations began at 7:45 AM with school starting at 8:30 AM. st
Position 1: County 52 and 1 Street NW – Andrew Besold
Pedestrians: Six.
Cyclists: Three.
7:50 – Older male student approached school on County 52 from County 11. Used path once on school grounds.
7:53 - Two young male students approach school by bike on County 52 from County 11. Used path and bike rack. No helmets.
7:57 - Two young female students approached via 1 Street NW and used school path.
8:00 – Driver incorrectly pulls into bus drop-off area.
8:01 - Young male student on bike approaches via 1 Street NW. Used path, bike rack but no
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helmet.
8:02 - Young male student ran via 1 Street NW. Used path.
8:03 - Very young male student walked via 1 Street NW. Used path.
8:08 - Mid-aged male student walked via 1 Street NW. Walked up bus driveway.
8:11 – First school bus arrived via 1 Street NW.
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Chapter 6: Existing Conditions and Findings | P a g e 77
