Oak and Octavia

Dear Supervisor Mahmood, I am writing to you as a District 5 resident regarding persistent safety concerns at the intersection of Oak and Octavia. City records document 50 injury collisions within 150 meters of this intersection in the last five years, including one fatality. This figure covers a 150-meter radius, while the Danger Index grade is computed over a tighter 80-meter core, so these figures are measured over different areas. This intersection shows more reported harm than 92 percent of San Francisco intersections, earning a Grade D on the Danger Index. No exposure normalization: the index ranks reported harm, not risk per crossing. In the last three years, there have been 317 street-condition 311 reports at this location, covering street defects, sidewalks, curbs, signs, streetlights, and blocked sidewalks. While no recent press coverage was found, safety problems at this intersection have been covered by the press for at least 12 years, to 2014, marking the earliest coverage we can find. An automated visual audit flagged faded or sub-standard crosswalk markings in a Street View photograph, which city records corroborate with 311 reports: 9 in 12 months. The audit also observed a vehicle turning conflict zone, which does not yet appear in city records. City records show 311 reports: 6 in 12 months relating to inadequate street lighting, though the visual audit did not find it. Similarly, city records show 311 reports: 5 in 12 months relating to curb or sidewalk in poor condition, which the visual audit did not find. I urge you to support funding for Continental crosswalks, corner daylighting, and a leading pedestrian interval at this intersection. An estimated cost of $250,000 to $350,000, order of magnitude, could be secured through the Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Sincerely, A resident of District 5