Town plans more flashing pedestrian crossing lights

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

A growing concern surrounding pedestrian crossings in Strathmore prompted the town to launch a fact-finding mission and encourage local council members to spend this year’s entire pedestrian-crossing-lights budget on two preferred locations.
Strathmore’s infrastructure and development department identified 16 locations in possible need of rapid flashing pedestrian crossing lights in its Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Master Plan. The document was created to provide greater clarity to the public and ensure the highest priority crossings are being addressed.
With an approved $30,000-a-year budget until 2020, administration recommended allocating the funds to two standard solar-powered RRFB lights each with a cost of $15,000 at two locations: Lakeside Boulevard and Sixth Avenue, and Brent Boulevard and Maple Tree Way.
“We went out – the infrastructure department with the bylaw officers – went to where they had concerns, and our bylaw officers had issues and we identified these sites to develop this long-term system,” said Mark Ruault, director of infrastructure and development services for the Town of Strathmore.
“That’s what we’re trying to do… come up with a systematic approach. When people ask council or have concerns or questions, we can point them to this document; it’ll give (council) some clarity on making a decision.”
While the department considered input from the town’s bylaw officers and reviewed the Transportation Canada Association (TAC) guidelines, it failed to involve the Traffic Advisory Committee. Two locations – Park Lane Drive near Aspen Creek, as well as Centennial Drive and Maplewood Drive – that had previously been addressed in council and which experience high vehicle and foot traffic, were also left off the list.
Strathmore town councillor Bob Sobol also remarked on ensuring proper installation, consistency and safety.
“These flashing lights are a message that’s going across the pedestrian crossing. I really do hope we stay consistent in what kind of light we’re using, I think that’s really important,” said Sobol. “I’m a little disappointed that our Traffic Advisory Committee has not been involved in this project, because I think it’s smack dab in the middle of their area of responsibility.”
Strathmore is already home to several RRFB fixtures that have been installed at George Freeman Trail, Brent Boulevard, Park Lane Drive and Wheatland Trail. Additionally, Strathmore also has three existing overhead pedestrian lights.
In establishing the report, town staff took into consideration existing crosswalks, proximity to playgrounds, traffic volume, pedestrian crossing volumes and consideration to areas with more people with vulnerabilities, such as children and people with mobility issues.
As well, only those areas with sufficient pedestrian and vehicle volumes and no existing traffic controls were considered.
While the report identifies and prioritized 16 locations, Ruault assured council the document was fluid and would undergo changes and additions with the future development of the town and the creation of more schools and parks. He also addressed council at their regular council meeting on July 18 and said the locations at Centennial Drive and Park Lane Drive would be taken into consideration.
In 2017 council approved the $30,000 annual budget for RRFB fixtures from 2018 to 2020, resulting in the installation of up to two light fixtures.
While council made decisions on a case-by-case basis previously, the department is hopeful the master plan will provide council with insight and clarity.
“I really believe consistency is key and I do see the effectiveness of all of these flashing lights in our community but we don’t want so many that people are going to ignore them either,” said acting Deputy Mayor Lorraine Bauer.
With the absence of Mayor Pat Fule, council voted unanimously to adopt the RRFB Master Plan to direct administration on future priorities and approve the installation of RRFB fixtures at Lakeside Boulevard and Sixth Avenue as well as Brent Boulevard and Maple Tree Way, during their regular council meeting.

The RRFB Master Plan identified the following locations to possibly receive rapid pedestrian crossing light fixtures in the future:

Lakeside Boulevard and Sixth Avenue
Brent Boulevard and Maple Tree Way
Second Street and west side of Sacred Heart Academy
Lakeside Boulevard and Third Avenue
Westmount Drive and Strathmore Lakes Way
Maple Wood Drive and Maple Green Way
Westchester, south of Westmount Drive
Westmount Drive, west of Westwood Street
Centre Street and Double Tree Way (south side)
Westmount Drive and Westmount Lakes Common
Green Meadows Drive and Green Meadows Crescent
Thomas Drive and Thornburn Road
Thomas Drive, north end
Hillview Drive and Highland Gate
Cambridge Glen Drive, north of Cambrille Crescent
Wheatland Trail, north end, crossing between Hillview Estates and rodeo grounds
Wheatland Trail crossing golf course