With speed limit reductions approved by town council in four areas of town, Councillor Patrick Wilson continues to question the merits of the changes.
Wilson, who has been extensively studying traffic flow in the community, believes the changes are unnecessary and will only increase traffic congestion and further frustrate motorists while making petty criminals out of responsible drivers.
At it’s Aug. 13 meeting, council rejected Wilson’s motion to take no action on the recommended speed reductions. Instead, they agreed to lengthen 30 kph zones in four neighbourhoods. The new signage, estimated to cost a total of $2,000, will be installed prior to the end of August, in time for the coming school year.
The speed limit will be set at 30 kph at the following:
- Quigley Dr. from #94 Quigley Dr. to West Pointe.
- 1st St. E. from Centre Ave. to Bowcroft Place
- Riverview Dr. from Griffin Rd. to River Ave.
- 4th Ave. N. and on Sunterra Rd. from Chiniki Dr. to Sunterra Boulevard
Two other areas examined on Sunset Blvd. and River Heights Dr., both four-lane divided collector roads, were left unscathed.
On Sunset Blvd., future consideration if being given to a light activated crosswalk as well as traffic lights on the intersection of unset Blvd. and Sunset Dr. based on growth and further build out of the community.
Should a future school be built in the new Rivercrest development, a school zone is expected to be implemented on River Height Dr. in the future.
Wilson Focusing on Data to Determine Best Action
Wilson doesn’t endorse speeding but he’s been gathering data on the topic isn’t convinced larger speed zones will help.
“I think we’re wasting our time with the proposal we put through,” says Wilson. “I don’t think it will have the effect that we’re hoping for, which is calm speed and slowing traffic in playground zones during hours we want them calm.”
The town’s roads department has been helping him gather data so he can focus on objective, not subjective information, and try to pinpoint ways to calm traffic without making petty criminals out of people who are driving responsibly.
He’s also been researching traffic calming measures, like rumble strips, street narrowing push outs (as incorporated on Grande Ave by the new seniors housing), and right now he’s leaning toward a new version of popup speed warnings that he believes will make people play attention to their speed and slow down.
“ I feel like it’s more common that the driver forgets they are in the school zone than are purposely disobeying the law. I want to see if we can employ traffic calming measures, but I want the data to back it up.”
He’s also had the roads department collect data at the RancheView School during the school year.
“Based on the numbers I’m looking this doesn’t seem to be a problem. We’re not seeing chronic speeding there.”
This fall they will be collecting similar data in the school zones of Holy Spirit, Mitford and Bow River High School on school days.
“What I’m trying to do is to gather objective information on school zones in question to understand what is happening right now. And then I want to do some pilot programs.”
One thing for certain, he’s not a fan of photo radar.
“I don’t see it as being particularly effective and I think it’s a cash grab. I’m very suspicious of it. Are you employing photo radar to build a slush fund or to curb a behaviour? I think there are better ways to do that.”
It was Councillor Marni Fedeyko who requested the town to examine speed reductions in six areas of town. Following a review, Frank Borsos, manager municipal enforcement, recommended four of six were worth pursuing.
During the Aug. 13 meeting, the discussion weaved back and forth and even Councillor Fedeyko seemed reluctant to pursue all four areas at first, suggesting instead to pilot the speed changes at two locations and to also consider 40 kph zones. Seeing she could garner support for the four, though, she went forward.
It Takes a Combination of Measures, says Fedeyko
Fedeyko says she realizes this is the first step in trying to address the speed issue.
“I don’t necessarily feel this is going to be the be-all, end-all,” says Fedeyko. “I think this is the first part of a multi-layered solution.”
“But I think what we said to the people is we realize there is a problem in those areas they have been complaining about year after year. You know what, we’re hearing you and we’re learning to stand behind you and doing something to make it better.”
She’s also pleased to see the cost is a mere $2,000 to implement the changes.
“If this is really is totally a disaster, and we see no benefit, it’s not a huge cost factor if we back up, but I’m hoping that’s not the way it’s going to go.”
Following through with enforcement, though, is also important and there is another peace officer coming on stream to help. Like Wilson, she isn’t a fan of photo radar.
“We’re not trying to make money, we’re just trying to make the communities a little safer.”
While Wilson is investigating a number of calming measures, she believes it will take a combination of things to get the results residents want.
“We’re looking for something, but there’s no perfect solution. It seems a combination of traffic calming measures, slowing speed limits and enforcement. Doing all three together will give you your ultimate solution.
Better Communications
She believes the town has failed in communicating with the public on upcoming improvements like future light activated crosswalks and believes people will be put at ease if they know these are coming and their concerns are being heard.
“The communication gap between the town and the residents is that they don’t know what’s coming.”
Armadillo Tracker Data
Initial data collected indicates Cochrane really doesn’t have a speeding problem.
Using an Armadillo Tracker, the town has been collecting speed data and will continue to build their database.
The Armadillo was used in 50 kph zones in all six areas. All but the Riverview area was monitored for seven days between July 1 to Aug. 13. Riverview Dr. was monitored for three weeks last fall. What was discovered was the average Cochranites travel near or below the posted limit, although there were some isolated and alarming cases of high speed. It also illustrates just how heavily Quigley is relied upon in West Cochrane.
1st St. East: Average speed 37.6 kph; max speed, 81 kph; 14,578 vehicles recorded
4th Ave. North: Average speed, 51 kph; max speed, 118 kph; 4,092 vehicles recorded
Quigley Dr.: Average speed, 43.9 kph; max speed, 82 kph; 22,715 vehicles recorded
Riverview Dr.: Average speed, 42.1 kph, max speed, 128 kph; 33,000 vehicles recorded over three weeks
Sunset Blvd.: Average speed 50.7 kph; max speed, 86 kph; 10,000 vehicles recorded
Sunterra Rd.: Average speed 52 kph, max speed, 87 kph; 3,953 vehicles recorded
Tue, Apr 23, 5:00 PM
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