The City of Calgary is implementing safety upgrades to enhance the well-being of students and families before the academic year begins later this month. According to city officials at a recent announcement, these enhancements are strategically planned to make daily commutes safer for students and families.
Surendra Mishra, a traffic engineer from the city, emphasized that the primary objective of these upgrades is not just to add infrastructure but to implement appropriate safety measures at specific locations. The improvements consist of new pedestrian crossings, curb extensions, speed cushions, and other traffic-calming techniques to enhance visibility and promote reduced vehicle speeds in areas with high pedestrian traffic.
These safety enhancements follow a concerning trend as Calgary experienced a record 15 pedestrian fatalities last year, marking an 11-year peak. Mishra highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to prevent fatalities and serious injuries resulting from road incidents, especially near schools.
In addition to curb extensions aimed at decreasing crossing time, the city has deployed rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at various crosswalks to enhance pedestrian visibility for drivers. Mishra noted that after installing RRFBs, compliance levels for drivers yielding to pedestrians significantly rose from 70-75% to 95-100%.
The safety measures also include the installation of speed cushions and humps at 17 schools to reduce traffic speed in playground and residential areas. Mishra pointed out that when these three safety measures are combined, they can potentially reduce collisions by 70-80%.
Constable Les Mills from the Calgary Police Service’s residential traffic safety unit praised the impact of these measures in school zones, describing them as visibly transformative. He emphasized that the curb extensions deter cars from parking, prompting drivers to slow down instinctively when they observe narrower roadways.
During September, officers from the residential traffic unit will be actively present during drop-off and pickup times, collaborating with parking officers to educate drivers about unsafe parking habits. The first day of classes for the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School Board is scheduled for August 31.