Carefree Truth

Issue #309, March 3, 2014

 

 

 

At the January Council meeting John Gearhart submitted a petition requesting changes to the crosswalk on Tom Darlington Dr. to improve safety for pedestrians attempting to cross the street, as cars were seldom stopping.  Gary Neiss contacted the original contractor who installed the unique battery operated, solar, LED light, pedestrian signal system.  A refinement of the existing system will allow the light to blink yellow once activated, then go to red.  The Town will paint a white line on the road with a sign that says, "Stop here on red".  

 

 

Councilman Mike Farrar asked if the red light would be on a timer.  Mr. Neiss said the system being considered automatically blinks yellow for 3 seconds, then goes to red for 8 seconds, but that it can be programmed differently.  Additional time would probably be required for people to get across the street.  The contractor would program the system to satisfy the specific needs for that location.  

 

 

Councilman John Crane asked if the pedestrians would have an indication that the system is activated.  Mr. Neiss said the existing in-street blinking lights indicate that the system has been activated.  They will remain in place.  Since there are no street lights there, the in-street lights provide the additional benefit of providing ambient illumination for the pedestrians at night. 

 

 

 

Councilman Crane queried the cost of the original system.  Mr. Neiss replied that it was part of the stimulus package from the Federal government and ADOT, and he wasn't sure how much of that was used for the crosswalk.  Councilman Glenn Miller remembered that it had cost $32,000, adding, "It wasn't cheap."  Vice Mayor Les Peterson requested a time period in which it would be completed if approved.  Mr. Niess told him it would take 6-8 weeks. 

 

 

 

It was again questioned how the pedestrians would know the system was activated.  Mr. Neiss replied that the in-street lights would flash, as they do now.  The traffic lights are oriented towards the cars and are far beyond the crosswalk, so not visible to the pedestrians.  Vehicles stopping are the only sure way to know it's safe to cross a street.  Mayor Schwan added that there is never a guarantee vehicles will stop for any red light.  People might be texting or not paying attention for a number of reasons, so pedestrians must always look both ways before stepping into the street.

 

 

 

Glenn Ernst approached the podium to say that he didn't think the system was adequate, and that changing the lights to red wouldn't help because the in-street lights were not visible to cars.  Drivers are not used to looking for lights in the street.  He wanted to see traffic lights at the regular height.  Mayor Schwan told him there are currently 2 lights on poles at the normal traffic light positions.  Mr. Neiss explained they are what would be upgraded to turn from flashing yellow to red.  Mayor Schwan said, "If this doesn't work, we'll try something additional."   

 

 

 

Alice Ernst came to the podium next, saying she's noticed the lights on the poles.  She said that red, rather than blinking yellow, should "get the message across", and had hope that this change would be positive.  She thanked the Town.

 

 

 

Linda Covey was the last citizen to speak.  As a professional photographer she often has her big camera in tow, and has taken pictures of near misses in the crosswalk.  She said that red lights on the poles at the sides of the street are a good idea.  The existing yellow lights are OK at night, but a bad idea during the day.  The white line to be painted is also key to stopping cars during the day, as people are used to stopping at lines, but she wanted to see additional language telling drivers to stop at the line.  Councilman Miller assured her a sign would be placed saying, "Stop here on red".

 

 

 

The Council unanimously voted to spend $12,500 from the contingency funds for the flashing beacon upgrade of the crosswalk on Tom Darlington Dr.  This is considered a valid public safety issue that was brought to the attention of the Council.                              

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD2inToQpBY  

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

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