So, Why Is There No
Flashing Light at the 14th Street Crossing?
In order to install any traffic calming measure, three factors are taken into
consideration, namely: engineering possibilities and road use (this includes emergency
vehicle access); the economic feasibility; the number of accumulated points under the
warrant system. It is this third set of criteria that I often refer to in the newsletter,
and it is this system which is the subject of Jon Lord’s petition which will be
introduced before City Council sometime in April.
In order to install any safety measure at a pedestrian crossing, other than two lines
painted on the roadway and the pedestrian crossing sign, the crossing must
"warrant" the improvement. Safety modifications include: flashing lights, a
raised crosswalk, an elevated crosswalk. Measures such as these will be considered if that
crossing has accumulated 100 points under the warrant system. Points are awarded for the
volume and speed of traffic, the volume of pedestrians, the proximity of a school or
hospital, and the number of pedestrian/vehicle accidents. In the case of the latter
crtierion, a car striking a pedestrian (whether that individual is merely bruised or is
killed) counts as 10 points.
In the case of the crossing at 25th Avenue and 14th Street, the
accumulated point total is only around 70. Thus the crossing is not considered dangerous,
and does not warrant any modification or safety upgrade. You may shake your head at that
fact since one child has been killed (this January), and one was severely injured within
the past ten years.
Apart from the sense of outrage you may feel, pedestrian injuries also cost a lot of
money: installation of flashing lights at crossings costs $25000. Jon Lord’s petition
is asking the rest of Council to review this system which restricts the increased
implementation of safety measures and promotes a false economy.
Many Mount Royal residents have signed in support of the petition. Some have even
offered to pay for a flashing light, although there is no provision for that kind of
active involvement under the current system. If you favor our Alderman’s initiative,
let him know! Voices must be heard at City Hall in order to effect change.
Other News From City Hall
March 16 (1:00 pm) is the day City Council will debate the merits of funding LRT
extentions. The expenditure of millions of dollars will be discussed. However, upgrading
public transport is a must according to the Calgary Transportation Plan, or our
neighbourhoods will be inundated with vehicles. How would you feel about lane reversals on
Council Way and 8th Street in order to accomodate more cars? Without transit
and LRT expansion, this will not be a rhetorical question.
What can you do? Call the Aldermanic offices and let them know you support LRT
extention.
