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