The NLCRPD is responding to concerns expressed in both public meetings and on various community based social media platforms concerning confusion surrounding the duties of both trail users and motorists approaching the crossings. One part of this response by the NLCRPD involves creation of a short video production to illustrate the areas of concern and to provide guidance on the proper acts for both pedestrians and motorists. (You will note that in several instances there are deviations from this expected conduct. This is attributed to seeing marked police vehicles, but the message of what is expected on all parties behalf is clearly explained and communicated within the narrative).

To fully understand this scenario, it is important to make two distinctions. There is a difference between a pedestrian cross walk and a trail crossing. Both of these are governed by strict regulatory guidance provided by the Department of Transportation on the manner, type, and methods for posting of the crossings. Pedestrian crosswalks are located in those areas with a maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour. A crosswalk in Pennsylvania is defined in Title 75, Section 102, defines “Crosswalk” as: (1) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway, measured from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; and in the absence of a sidewalk on one side of the roadway, that part of the roadway included within the extension of the lateral lines of the existing sidewalk.(2) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

The rail trail crossings are all within a 35-mph speed zone or higher speed limit. This means there is not legal options for posting of a crosswalk and the expectation falls upon the pedestrians to follow the guidance as established under section § 3543 of the vehicle code. Pedestrians crossing at other than crosswalks. (a) General rule. --Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a crosswalk at an intersection or any marked crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.