Strategic Approach to a Walkable Edmonton
Pro Walk / Pro Bike 2004: Creating Active Communities
September 9, 2004
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Edmonton
Edmonton Skyline
Presentation Summary
• Background
• Walkable Edmonton Strategy
• Pedestrian Safety Campaign
• Multi-Use Trail System
• Curb Ramp Program
• Pedestrian Traffic Controls
• Pedestrian Safety at Schools
Background
• Edmonton Population: 698,000
• Edmonton Collision Summary 2003:– 22,150 vehicle collisions– 310 pedestrian collisions– 9,100 injuries– 32 fatalities– $82,400,000 property damage
Walkable Edmonton Strategy
• Create a Walkable Community that is:– Safe– Accessible– Healthy– More Vibrant and Liveable
Pedestrian Safety
• “Look Out For Each Other” Campaign
Pedestrian Awareness Campaign
Multi-Use Trail System
• Prior to 2002, maintained program to construct wide shared-use sidewalks and multi-use trails
• In 2002, Council approved the “Multi-Use Trail Corridor Network”– 60 kilometres of multi-use trails– Constructed along abandoned rail lines, utility
right-of-ways, roadside boulevards
Multi-use Trail Corridors - Linking to City Core
Northeast LRT Link
Northeast LRT-Multi-use Trail Crossing
Multi-use Trail Connectors - Pipeline R.O.W.
Multi-use Trail Corridor - Ribbon of Steel
97 Avenue
98 Avenue
Grandin Streetcar Station
99 Avenue Overpass
99 Avenue Mural
Railtown Development
North Saskatchewan River Valley
Links to Downtown Core
Recreation Uses
Variety of Trails
River Valley Stairs
Pedestrian Bridges and Overpasses
Pedestrian Bridges and Overpasses
Pedestrian Bridges and Overpasses
River Valley Overlooks
Victoria Promenade
Road Diet
Downtown Pedways
Below and Above Grade Pedways
Curb Ramp Program
• Commitment to increase accessibility• Annual budget of $400,000 • Approximately 180 ramps annually
($2100/ramp)• Request basis for affected residents• Priority to people with mobility issues• Emphasis on connections with Transit
Inner City Retrofit Location
Curb Ramp Applications
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation - Temporary Measures
Engineering Improvements
New Neighbourhoods
Pedestrian Traffic Controls
• The City of Edmonton Pedestrian Traffic Controls:– 1000 marked crosswalks – 215 pedestrian actuated amber flashers– 223 pedestrian actuated signals– 600 traffic signals
• The City’s 66 pedestrian control devices per 100,000 population greatly exceeds the number of control devices in other Canadian municipalities
Pedestrian Traffic Controls
Pedestrian Traffic Controls
• Guidelines:– Traffic Volumes (Pedestrian and Vehicle)– Speed Limit– Roadway Width– Alternate Crossing Distance– Sightlines
Community Safety Improvements
Pedestrian Traffic Control Technologies
• Pedestrian Countdown Device Pilot Project• In-Pavement Flashers Pilot Project
Pedestrian Countdown Device Pilot Project
• Common misunderstanding of traditional pedestrian fixtures
• Devices installed at two intersections in 2002
Walk Phase Clearance Phase
Pedestrian Countdown Devices
Pedestrian Countdown Device Pilot Project
• Findings– Devices are liked by the public– Most pedestrians notice and clearly understand the
countdown feature– More pedestrians enter on clearance phase,
however less are trapped in crosswalk at end of clearance phase
– Countdown display does not appear to encourage vehicles to accelerate on amber
Pedestrian Countdown Device Pilot Project
• Future Plans– Additional pedestrian countdown devices installed
at two intersections in 2003 and four intersections in 2004
– City of Edmonton taking lead research role in the TAC - TOMS committee project (approved in 2003) to review guidelines for potential addition of devices to the Canadian MUTCD
In-Pavement Flashing Lights Pilot Project
• Test location initiated in August 2003
In-Pavement Flashing Lights Pilot Project
• Findings:– During the winter months, the lights were
frequently covered with snow and dirt– Lights experienced severe damage from regular
snowplow maintenance – Intermittent problems with the activation of the
lights were reported– The results of the pilot project were inconclusive
with no definite increase in the safety at the crosswalk due to the in-pavement lights
Pedestrian Safety at Schools
• Engineering• Education• Enforcement
Pedestrian Safety at Schools
• Parent Parking Patrol – Community based program which targets daily
traffic safety problems at Edmonton’s schools.
Partnerships
Traffic Controls
Education
Parent Parking Patrol Team
Point, Pause and Proceed
Positive Enforcement
Positive Enforcement
AMA School Patrols and Crosswalks
Crosswalks
Kid’s Safe Zone!
Questions / Comments
Planning Principles
•Continuous corridor network, separate from roadways•Integrate River Valley trails and bikeways•Link City sectors•Connect residents to River Valley & City core•Linkages to adjacent Municipalities•Serve recreational and commuter needs•Design to provide feeling of security and minimize trail conflicts and hazards
Extra stuff
July 11, 2004
Winter Snow Clearing
New Neighbourhoods