FAQ

Frequently asked questions

1. Why did the city start looking at changing this crossing?

The city received a complaint about motorists failing to stop when the traffic signal turned red. The resident requested that additional flashing beacons be installed to alert motorists to the traffic signal for pedestrians. Traffic studies done by the city’s Transportation Engineering Division found that a better solution was to relocate a painted crosswalk to the corner of West 20^th Avenue and Urban Drive to improve safety and better serve pedestrians' needs.

2. Why is the crossing signal being removed?

Traffic signals don't always prevent crashes, and signals and signs are not always an asset to traffic control. In fact, an unwarranted traffic signal can result in less safe conditions, and that is the case with this mid-block traffic signal. It is used so infrequently that motorists rarely see it turn red. This results in drivers becoming so accustomed to the signal always being green that the few times it is red, they simply don’t notice it and fail to stop. Under these conditions, it makes it less safe for pedestrians and creates a false sense of security, resulting in pedestrians failing to pay attention to the oncoming cars. The city’s traffic studies found that the crossing signal is a liability to safety, no longer serves a need and should be removed.

3. Why was the crossing signal installed in the first place?

This crossing signal was installed as a school crossing several decades ago for Stober Elementary School students. The signal was popular and used often, which helped motorists expect that the signal would change to red during school hours. As years have passed, however, there are mornings and afternoons when the signal is not used, and the green light is uninterrupted for hours, sometimes changing fewer than five times in one day. To warrant having a traffic signal to stop motorists for crossing pedestrians, this location would need to have 20 school-aged children crossing each hour during morning and afternoon peak walking times to change the signal more frequently. To warrant having flashing beacons to alert motorists for crossing pedestrians, this location would need to have 20 adults crossing in an hour on a road with heavy traffic where there is a delay of 60 seconds or more to cross the street. There are not enough pedestrians or traffic on West 20^th Avenue to make a traffic signal or flashing beacons a safe option for pedestrians.

4. Why is the crosswalk being moved to the corner of Urban Drive?

A painted crosswalk will be placed across West 20^th Avenue at Urban Drive because this is the location most pedestrians cross now as it is in line with the walking route to Stober Elementary School. Additionally, motorists are more accustomed to expecting pedestrians to cross at corners, not in the middle of the block.

5. How many pedestrians cross West 20^th Avenue at this location?

Multiple traffic studies conducted during peak walking times during the summer and when school resumed found that on average less than one person crossed per hour, with most not using the mid-block crosswalk and crossing farther to the west at the corner of Urban Drive. During the hours when school was starting or ending, only two school-aged children accompanied by adults on separate days used the traffic signal. Most people that used the crosswalk crossed immediately and did not press the button for the signal to change. Given the low number of pedestrians, it is safer for pedestrians to cross by simply looking left and right for oncoming traffic rather than relying on a signal that many drivers fail to notice.