New solutions for highway traffic being considered

Shannon LeClair    

Times Contributor    

 

For the past few weeks Town administration has been looking at different possible solutions for the problems on the highway. There are a number of people that speed through town, and there has also been an increase to the number of people running the red light at all three highway locations. 

Red light cameras were one of the options looked at. A letter had been sent to the Solicitor General’s office requesting the usage of the cameras. At the April 17 regular council meeting Director of Engineering and Operations Jesse Parker told council that the request for the cameras has been turned down. 

He said one of the major reasons given was because of an interdependence of technologies and a resistance to having multiple technologies tied in to one system. 

There were concerns about the functionality of the lights once a red light camera system is put into place, and of ownership the system, if the town owns it and how is that integrated into the provincial system. 

Parker said that put an end to the Town’s inquiry to implementing its own system. 

“But we did since that time start to brainstorm and discuss other opportunities, or other factors that we are looking at,” said Parker.

Administration has spoken with the company who has worked with Lethbridge to incorporate their red light cameras to see what other options they may have. Parker said he has also spoken to Coaldale, who purchased a mobile piece of equipment that they aren’t currently using, and whether that may be useful to Strathmore. 

Parker said administration has also been looking at technology used in the States to see if it could be used here. One system is an intrusive type which sees wiring placed in the roadway to signal when a vehicle has passed through the red light and then is picked up on the other side of the roadway and a photo is taken of it, said Parker.

Another system uses optical sensors which are a non-invasive technology. 

“We don’t know in terms of the case law here in Alberta whether or not that’s acceptable or has been demonstrated in court to be effective so we’re looking into that as a potential alternative as well,” said Parker. 

Parker said they did approach Alberta Transportation about the infrastructure and the lights to see if it would be possible to extend the yellow.

“We were concerned about the length of time it takes larger vehicles to stop as they approach the lights and the warning that these vehicles have when approaching the lights and the braking distance and braking time that some of these vehicles, larger tractor trailers and things along those lines,” said Parker. 

In addition to asking Alberta Transportation to consider extending the yellow light they also approached them about an all red time, which would see all lights stay red for one second.

There has been talk of adding warning lights, or placing the speed sign that indicates how fast drivers are going along the highway. 

“The RCMP and Sheriffs did indicate that they are going to be stepping up their patrols. They are looking at a number of alternatives in terms of how they can patrol the intersections safely and potentially also have a better visibility at the intersections,” said Parker. 

Councillor Rocky Blokland said to him a simple solution would be to have RCMP vehicles with lights flashing at the east and west entrances to town which he feels would force people to smarten up. 

Councillor Earl Best said there are 18 RCMP officers employed in town and he doesn’t understand why there can’t be better coverage on the highway, especially knowing it is as dangerous as it is. 

Strathmore RCMP often are called to help in other communities around Strathmore, such as Langdon who as of yet do not have their own RCMP detachment.