The painting style of a 3D crosswalk, such as this one in the Montreal borough of Outremont, creates an optical illusion that makes the lines appear to float above the ground. (Ryan Remiorz/ The Canadian Press)

By Glenn Hicks

public safety

More delays in finding Carlton School crosswalk solution

May 23, 2019 | 3:00 PM

The conundrum continues on how to make the crosswalk on Sixth Ave. E. between Carlton Comprehensive Public High School and Carlton Court Plaza safer.

Prince Albert city council decided Tuesday to delay a move to paint a special 3D crosswalk there, pending discussions with the local school division and following concerns raised by the director of education with the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD). There also appears to be an underlying sense from some on council that the city alone should not be taking on all responsibility for a solution.

The presumption is the creative 3D paint-job – which would cost about $9,400 — is far less expensive than other options. Alternatives like a push-button amber light controlled crosswalk could cost around $50,000 although city staff have concerns that would cause increased traffic build-up because of other signals in place at nearby intersections. While the theory is the 3D paint would improve safety by increasing its visibility to drivers, not everyone is convinced.

There is certainly the idea that crosswalks provide a false sense of security _{– Ted Zurakowski}

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A report by city staff noted the concept had mixed reviews from the public with some thinking “it’s a cool idea” while others felt the issue is less about visibility for drivers and more about “young adults who were treating the crosswalk casually without proper regard for safety.”

An aerial view of the current crosswalk outside Carlton Comprehensive Public High School on Sixth Ave.E. (City of Prince Albert)

Ward 6 Coun.Blake Edwards said either way something needs to be done because three people were hit by vehicles last year.

“If it’s the 3D crosswalk we have to move forward with [then] we move forward with it,” he told paNOW. “I [also] really believe one of the answers is a flashing amber light.”

Ward 8 Coun.Ted Zurakowski said pedestrians had informed them in the past that paint alone doesn’t mean vehicles are going to stop but there needed to be a resolution.

“There is certainly the idea that crosswalks provide a false sense of security but the school board has some responsibility here and has to be involved in the solutions moving forward,” he told paNOW. “If they’re not willing to partner with the city to find those solutions then I think it’s a failed attempt.”

$50,000 … is a bargain when it comes to student safety _{– Robert Bratvold}

Council’s decision to delay matters on the 3D concept was promoted in part by a letter sent to his local councillor by SRPSD Director of Education Robert Bratvold, written as a citizen and not as an official piece of school division correspondence.

He opposes the 3D paint-job in part, because he thought it might become clouded by snow, ice and sand for much of the school year and he figured the illusion of a bump in the road created by the design would quickly wear off on motorists as they got used to the new-look crossing.

Bratvold added he believed “technology exists to have a button controlled crosswalk that is synchronized with the traffic lights on 28^th and Sixth^.”

He said he believed the $50,000 that had been mentioned to install a controlled crosswalk was “a bargain when it comes to student safety and alleviating motorist frustration that may exist.”

Bratvold also questioned where the liability would lie “for a situation that is already known to present risk.”

While the city delays its decision, the hope for all parties is that no one else gets hit at a crosswalk that has long been regarded as a safety concern.

—

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow