Transportation Safety and Vision Zero

[Daveography]

Councillors back Edmonton crosswalk funding boost
City councillors are backing a plan that would see $4.8 million from the photo radar fund improve crosswalks considered risky for pedestrians.

Members of the community and public services committee voted to support the plan Monday--which would still need council approval--after city staff presented a new report that showed 380 crosswalks need $45 million in repairs.

Of that number, 70 crosswalks were identified as ‘high priority.'

Intersections are classified as critical when large numbers of cars driving at high speeds pass through them, posing a significant risk to pedestrians, according to city staff.

Coun. Brian Anderson tasked city administration late last year with determining which crosswalks needed upgrades.

“I’m appalled we have 380 intersections on arterial roads (that need improvements),” he told the committee Monday.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...rs-back-edmonton-crosswalk-funding-boost.html

 

[Daveography]

Councillor pushes for quick crossing upgrade with photo radar dollars
A plan to use $8.8 million in photo radar funds to upgrade pedestrian crossing across the city will still leave 310 dangerous intersections on the books.

Even the 70 crossings set to be voted on this spring will take three years to complete, say city officials.

Ward 9 Coun. Bryan Anderson said council should hit this issue hard.

“That’s what the money is for,” said Anderson, who pushed it on the agenda after hearing from many parents, particularly in the new Glenridding Heights neighbourhood. They have to cross Ellerslie Road at Allan Drive without protection to get their children to school.

In the next capital budget cycle, said Anderson, “I would certainly encourage council to take a good solid chunk of photo radar money and attack (those 310 remaining spots) with care and abandon.”

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...ick-crossing-upgrade-with-photo-radar-dollars

 

[Daveography]

Oliver pushing Edmonton to cut speed limits to 40 km/h
Community reps in Edmonton’s densest neighbourhood, Oliver, are pushing the city to lower speed limits, as the city continues to grapple with pedestrians being killed by car drivers.

The Oliver Community League launched a petition over the weekend to reduce the neighbourhood’s speed limits to 40 km/h (not including Jasper Ave.). Speed limits in the community are currently 50 km/h outside school zones.

“The evidence is pretty compelling — when cars slow down, it’s safer for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Dustin Martin, civics director with the Oliver Community League.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...g-edmonton-to-cut-speed-limits-to-40-kmh.html

 

[Daveography]

‘It’s been very quiet’: City staff recommend some Prince Charles traffic-calming measures be permanent
Data headed to the Urban Planning Committee shows traffic-calming measures in Edmonton’s Prince Charles neighbourhood have been effective in reducing vehicle traffic and city staff are recommending some changes be permanent.

High vehicle traffic, high speeds and concerns for pedestrian safety brought changes to the neighbourhood in July 2015. Curb extensions were installed on 124 Street at 119 Avenue and 120 Avenue as well as at 122 Street and 119 Avenue.

“We have kids that try to access, from the east, to the park… that would literally have their lives at risk every time they cross the street,” said Ron Jacob, the president of the Prince Charles Community League.

“[124 Street] was a major street and it’s not a major street. This is a residential street so, yeah, there was a lot of anger.”

Traffic barriers were also installed at 124 Street north of 123 Avenue to remove access between the neighbourhood and Yellowhead Trail. The trial measures were to be observed and then assessed for at least one year.

Since the traffic calming measures have been installed, vehicle traffic has fallen dramatically:

• At 118 Avenue and 124 Street: from 6,800-7,600 vehicles a day pre-trial to 3,900 vehicles a day post-trial
• Near Prince Charles Park: from 6,500-6,800 vehicles a day pre-trial to 2,100 vehicles a day post-trial
• South of 123 Avenue: from 6,700 vehicles a day pre-trial to 900 a day

A map showing recommendations from city administration.
Courtesy/City of Edmonton

http://globalnews.ca/news/3351643/c...harles-traffic-calming-measures-be-permanent/

 

[Daveography]

School zone signs going up now at Junior Highs
April 3, 2017

The City of Edmonton is starting to install school zone signs at
junior high schools in preparation for the start of the 2017-2018 school year.

“Lowering speed limits where our children go to school is
about saving lives and reducing injuries,” says Dennis
Tetreault, Speed Management and Traffic Safety Supervisor.
“Getting some of the signs up now helps us meet the installation
timelines and lets drivers know they need to be extra cautious
around junior high schools.”

Over the next few weeks, school zone signs will be installed at 22 junior high schools. The 30 km/h speed limitis in effect during the designated school-zone hours from the moment the signs are up. The remaining 21 school zones will be posted over the summer bringing the total to 43 when school starts in September.

“When children are struck by vehicles, their injuries often result in life threatening or permanent damage,” says Tetreault. “Driving within the speed limit helps us reach our Vision Zero Edmonton goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries.”

Children aged 10 to 14 years have the highest incidence of pedestrian-related injuries.

Media contact:
Gary Dyck
Communications
780-496-1778

http://secure.campaigner.com/csb/Public/show/fjqr0--c2dra-5kftw913

 

[Daveography]

Edmonton looking at city-wide solution to neighbourhood traffic problems
Council's urban planning committee is recommending council approve a new city-wide approach to managing community traffic issues.

Wednesday's move came as committee members heard complaints that previous traffic calming efforts in individual neighbourhoods have caused problems for communities next door.

"The way this is handled is kind of like whack-a-mole — you solve a problem in one community and then it moves over to the next community," Sherbrooke resident Patty Coates told the urban planning committee.

The committee will recommend council approve a new traffic calming policy that promises to avoid those types of situations. Details are still being developed but it will identify traffic needs for the whole city, set priorities, and include a process to get communities involved.

As part of the new policy, the city will also be asking residents about lower speed limits in neighbourhoods. A plan is being developed on how to gather the feedback on speed limits.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...ortcut-neighbourhood-safety-1.4057196?cmp=rss

 

[Daveography]

City pledges to listen better, take the heat on controversial neighbourhood traffic plans
Traffic engineers are simply playing “whack-a-mole” on city streets with their traffic calming efforts, says one frustrated Sherbrooke resident.

Fix a problem in Prince Charles and fast-moving traffic simply shifts one neighbourhood over, councillors were told at a committee meeting Wednesday.

“It’s created animosity between the Prince Charles and Sherbrooke communities,” said Sherbrooke resident Patty Coates, worried about traffic that started short-cutting past schools on Sherbrooke Avenue and 122 Avenue after access to Yellowhead Trail at 124 Street was closed.

Council’s urban planning committee approved a new traffic calming policy Wednesday, pledging to look at neighbourhood issues holistically and move beyond the boundaries of a neighbourhood where necessary.

The policy will rely on neighbourhood volunteers to build community interest and outline the issues in the first phase. But city staff will lead a full community discussion before any changes are made, so local volunteers don’t get targeted by angry motorists. They’ll start a trial phase with low-impact measures first.

“The goal of this process is to be more responsive,” Daniel Vriend, a director in city planning, told councillors.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...-on-controversial-neighbourhood-traffic-plans

Edmonton promises to listen to communities over divisive traffic plans (Metro)

 

[Daveography]

Edmonton Vision Zero 2017 to focus on schools, people
Edmonton’s plans to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries to zero will continue to “gain momentum” this year, says the city’s traffic safety boss.

“We’re looking at two major safety campaigns,” said Gerry Shimko, traffic safety executive director with the city. “One with focus on pedestrian safety and the other will be distracted driving — those tend to be the ones that have the greatest impact.”

Shimko’s comments come after the city released its annual report Friday over Vision Zero projects, which look to reduce traffic fatalities as Edmonton continues to see pedestrians get hit and killed by drivers behind the wheel.

The annual report showed there were 22 traffic deaths in 2016, down from 30 in 2015.

Going forward, Shimko said plans will emphasize school safety.

He said the city is working with the province, police, school boards and planners to look at where schools are located, making sure they’re put in the “best places.”

“It’s to make sure the schools are operating as safe as they can,” he said, noting Edmonton plans to extend 30 km/h zones to junior highs.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/04/24/edmonton-vision-zero-2017-to-focus-on-schools.html

Edmonton to set target date for meeting goal of zero traffic deaths
The city should look at setting a hard target for when it can reach the goal of zero traffic deaths in Edmonton, Coun. Andrew Knack said Friday.

The community and public services committee was told there were 22 traffic deaths in 2016, down from 30 in 2015.

If Edmonton continues at its current pace of dropping death and injury rates slightly every year, as outlined in the Vision Zero annual report presented to the committee, the city would reach that hard target of zero in 2050, he said.

From his research, Knack said 115 cities with populations of 50,000 or more managed to achieve Vision Zero at least one year between 2009 and 2013.

"It's possible, even for a larger city," Knack said. "It takes more than probably what we're doing today if we want to get that achieved in 2030."

The effort to reach the goal more quickly will require changing road design and infrastructure dollars, he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...-edmonton-knack-lafarge-iveson-city-1.4080602

Edmonton traffic safety improving, but a long road ahead: city (Global)

 

[Daveography]

Edmonton puts the brakes on junior high school zone speed limits
Edmonton’s plans to reduce speed limits to 30 km/h around junior highs will hopefully make walking to school safer, says Grade 8 student Andrew Quy.

“A lot of kids skateboard or walk to school here, so I think having the lower speed limit will help,” he said Tuesday.

City council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the new limits around junior high schools. The changes mean drivers will be ticketed if they zoom past the new limit, which, for the most part, had been 50 km/h.

Some students, however, think the new speed limit might not actually deter drivers from zooming by.

“I think it helps, but people still go as fast as they want,” said student Eva Erkovan. “But I think it’s always good to look before you cross.”

Coun. Bev Esslinger, who’s been spearheading projects to reduce traffic deaths and injuries in Edmonton, noted city data that shows reducing speeds in school zones helps people who bike or walk.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...s-the-brakes-on-junior-high-speed-limits.html

 

[Daveography]

Edmonton could see speed-limit reductions at hundreds of playgrounds
Edmonton motorists could see the speed limit reduced at hundreds of locations as it moves to protect children near parks and playgrounds.

The city reduced the speed limit around elementary schools in 2014 and will lower the speed limit in junior high school zones this year. But 178 playgrounds and sports fields are not near schools, according to a city report released Thursday.

Another 194 playgrounds are near schools but are not covered by the current 30 km/h school-zone speed limit. On top of that, Edmonton has 417 parks and green spaces that don’t have playground equipment.

A telephone survey of 405 Edmonton residents found 85 per cent are in favour of dropping the speed limit around stand-alone playgrounds and those beside schools.

“We should go ahead if we have that much support,” said Coun. Bev Esslinger, looking forward to debating next steps when the report goes to council’s community services committee next Thursday. “For every 10 kilometres, there’s a significant reduction in injury and fatality.”

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...d-limit-reductions-at-hundreds-of-playgrounds

 

[Daveography]

‘Doesn’t always feel safe’: City councillors debate lowering Edmonton’s residential speed limits
City councillors addressed the big speed question Wednesday, as advocates continue to push for 40 or 30 km/h limits in residential neighbourhoods.

“It doesn’t always feel safe,” said Julie Kusiek, a mom of four who walks with her daughters regularly, during a debate at the urban planning committee Wednesday.

“Cars don’t always slow down.”

Councillors debated the possibility of reducing speed limits lowered in residential communities, after new polling data showed a majority of Edmontonians support lower speeds in neighbourhoods.

The survey found 39 per cent of the 734 residents surveyed support a limit of 40 km/h in residential roads, and 23 per cent support 30 km/h limits. Of the respondents, 35 per cent said they would like the limits to remain at 50 km/h.

Several community groups and city councillors have also pushed for lower speed limits of either 30 or 40 km/h.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...hanges-edmonton-residential-speed-limits.html

Edmonton seeks more public input on neighbourhood speed zones
City councillors are asking for more input from Edmontonians before deciding whether to change speed limits in neighbourhood areas.

A survey found 62 per cent of respondents were in favour of reducing the speed limit on neighbourhood roads from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. This survey was the focus of a city report discussed by the urban planning committee on Wednesday.

But councillors agreed more input from is needed from Edmontonians, and asked city staff to return with a report to the committee in January 2018.

"A change like this will require some buy-in from citizens, and I think it's fine for us to take some more time," Coun. Michael Walters said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...hicle-driver-edmonton-traffic-radar-1.4150641

City ponders raising speed limits on major roads while cutting residential ones

Speed limit review coming after Edmonton public consulted

 

[Daveography]

Edmonton could see hundreds of 30 km/h zones by 2018
City staff have the go-ahead from Edmonton’s Community and Public Services Committee to lower the speed limits around playgrounds. But that’s not all — more has been added to their to-do list. Sports fields are now part of the mix.

That means, more than 400 spots will be considered for a speed limit of 30 km/h.

The report councillors debated identified another 194 playgrounds that are near schools. Adding in green spaces and sports fields bumps the total inventory to 417.
Edmonton began reducing the speed limit outside elementary schools in 2014. Junior high schools will be added this September.

Roads and Parks branch manager Gord Cebryk said staff will establish what kinds of hours of operation they should restrict the speed limit to 30 km/h as well as figuring out what to do on arterial roads that normally don’t have playgrounds but will have a sports field connected to it.

http://globalnews.ca/news/3514004/edmonton-could-see-hundreds-of-30-kmh-zones-by-2018/

 

[Daveography]

City auditor calls for better crosswalk monitoring, finds higher number of fatalities
Edmonton now has 2,200 crosswalk safety lights and signs but officials don’t systematically follow up to monitor how those crosswalks are working.

That means if traffic signal wait times lead to increased jaywalking, if drivers ignore the lights, or if bushes grow up to obscure the signs, the problems can easily go unnoticed.

City auditor David Wiun highlighted that deficiency Thursday to council’s audit committee meeting, saying the crosswalk program is generally run well but has room for improvement. He also called for transparent guidelines on how Edmonton decides what types of crosswalks to install. These include signed crosswalks, rapid flashing beacons, amber flashers and pedestrian-activated traffic lights.

City officials said they will adopt all of his recommendations and have them in place before spring 2018.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...osswalk-monitoring-finds-increased-fatalities

 

[Daveography]

'We're not going to rule anything out:' City outlines next steps to improve Edmonton's crosswalks
As the city moves forward on upgrading crosswalks, staff need to know a whole lot more about how pedestrians and drivers actually use them, according to an internal audit done by the city.

The report, discussed at committee Thursday, calls on the city to step up digital traffic monitoring at all crosswalks, not just those in school zones.

If they monitored all crosswalks, engineers could determine which crosswalks need upgrading first, and see if new enhancements are indeed improving safety, said Mayor Don Iveson.

“Data will help us with that,” he said.

Right now, the city gets most of its information about crosswalks from 311 complaints and occasional inspections by work crews.

But starting next spring, Gord Cebryk, branch manager of parks and road services, said engineers will start using video cameras.

“The technology can record for extended periods of time, and then it takes the data, and by using computer algorithms, it does predictions on what we could see by implementing changes,” he explained.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...sswalks-plan-improve-safety-vision-zero-.html

Pedestrian safety improving in Edmonton: auditor's report
A new report gives Edmonton a passing grade in how it operates its crosswalks — the same week the sixth pedestrian of the year died after being struck on an Edmonton street.

The pedestrian crosswalk audit released Thursday said "the program is being effectively managed and improving pedestrian safety."

The report from the city auditor's office also found that the city could do better at checking whether new street-crossing signals are effective.

The city installed 54 new marked crosswalks and nearly 20 flashing beacons between 2015 and 2016, the report shows.

Gord Cebryk, the branch manager with the department of parks and roads, acknowledged a few areas could be improved.

"We certainly agree with the recommendations and have started to proceed on implementing some of them already," Cebryk said.

The chair of Paths for People, a pedestrian safety advocacy group, said city council has a positive vision but safety standards need to be higher.

"We think that council is generally moving in the right direction. We just need city administration to catch up," Conrad Nobert told CBC News Thursday. "We would like the standards tightened up."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/crosswalk-safety-pedestrian-edmonton-fatalities-1.4185209

Edmonton auditor calls for more follow-up work on crosswalk safety

 

[Daveography]

Pilot project targets 'pent-up demand' from pedestrians
Two University of Alberta researchers are rating Edmonton's walkability.

"We'd like to know why it seems that you can walk a kilometre faster in Ottawa than in Edmonton," said Rob Shields, a sociology professor.
Shields and U of A research intern Nathalia Osorio are mapping downtown routes for a new mobile app that will help users navigate the city on foot.

They launched the project after hearing stories about people who don't leave their downtown offices during the day because it takes too long to walk to local restaurants and coffee shops.

Long traffic lights, missing sidewalks and a lack of streetlights discourage pedestrians, Shields said.

"If it's made more difficult, the whole experience of downtown is affected."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...-pedestrian-routes-walking-downtown-1.4233002