AT-Network September 2021

at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca

2 participants
9 discussions

Vox: America’s car crash epidemic – driving kills as many Americans each year as guns do. Experts say that’s preventable.

by Beth McKechnie

https://www.vox.com/22675358/us-car-deaths-year-traffic-covid-pandemic -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> *Green Action Centre is located on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anishininiwag, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of* *the Métis Nation. We acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation and that our hydro is sourced from numerous First Nations here in Manitoba**. * Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

2 years, 6 months

One week left to complete Winnipeg Road Safety Plan survey

by Beth McKechnie

"The Road Safety Strategic Action Plan is driven by data and public feedback and will serve as a roadmap for implementing both short-term solutions and long-term investments over the next 3-5 years and beyond." https://engage.winnipeg.ca/roadsafetyplan

2 years, 6 months

WFP: Location list for pedestrian crossings (Sep23'21)

by Beth McKechnie

Word on the street THE following have been identified as locations where some form of crossing control is warranted. A pedestrian corridor has overhead flashing beacons, a pedestrian half signal involves erecting a traffic light and an RRFB is a rectangular rapid flashing beacon. ● Burrows Avenue at Lawrence Street (pedestrian corridor) ● Corydon Avenue at Edgeland Boulevard (pedestrian corridor) ● Dakota Street at Dakota Community Centre (pedestrian half signal) ● Des Meurons Street at Horace Street (RRFB) ● Devonshire Drive at Tommy Douglas Drive (RRFB) ● Gateway Road at Furniture Park (RRFB) ● Grant Avenue at Lilac Street (pedestrian half signal) ● Lakewood Boulevard at Meadowbrook Road (RRFB) ● Lindenwood Drive E near Lindenwood Drive W (RRFB) ● Lindenwood Drive W at Wallingford Crescent (pedestrian corridor) ● Logan Avenue at Winks Street (pedestrian half signal) ● Main Street at Church Avenue (south side) (pedestrian half signal) ● McGillivray Boulevard at Front Street (pedestrian half signal) ● Pembina Highway at Newdale Avenue (pedestrian half signal) ● Portage Avenue at Rita Street (pedestrian half signal) ● Regent Avenue West at Winona Street (pedestrian corridor) ● River Avenue at Scott Street (RRFB) ● River Avenue at Lewis Street (RRFB) ● Roblin Boulevard at Municipal Road (pedestrian half signal) ● Roblin Boulevard at the zoo entrance (pedestrian half signal) ● Rorie Street at McDermot Avenue (RRFB) ● St. Mary’s Road at Crystal Avenue (traffic signal) ● St. Mary’s Road at Hastings Boulevard (pedestrian half signal) ● St. Mary’s Road South at St. Vital Trail (pedestrian half signal) ● Stradbrook Avenue at Scott Street (RRFB) ● Wellington Crescent at Kingsway (RRFB) ● Wellington Crescent (southbound) between River and Stradbrook avenues (RRFB) ● Wellington Crescent northbound exit to Stradbrook Avenue (RRFB)

2 years, 6 months

WFP: City identifies 28 sites for crosswalks (Sep23'21)

by Beth McKechnie

City identifies 28 sites for crosswalks https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-identifies-28-sites-for-crossw… NEARLY $3 million for new crosswalks will be considered in the city’s 2022 budget process. Municipal traffic experts have identified 28 locations that meet the criteria for some form of pedestrian crossing control, with an early combined cost estimate of about $2.8 million, says a report by city bureaucrats. The report cautions a detailed design hasn’t been done at each location. The city currently adds an average of four crossings per year at the highest need locations, due to city staff and budget limits, the report notes. Council’s public works chairperson said the devices are key to improving road safety, since uncontrolled busy crossings could raise the risk of vehicle/pedestrian collisions. “There is a big shortfall in terms of the warranted but unfunded (crosswalks)… In practice, what tends to happen where you don’t have a crosswalk where it’s warranted, is you have a high level of people driving cars on that street and you have a high level of pedestrians crossing that street in uncontrolled circumstances,” said Coun. Matt Allard. The public works committee recently referred the potential cost for the warranted, but not yet funded, crosswalks to the 2022 budget process. Installing more of the devices could help Winnipeggers feel safe walking to more destinations, which could help entice them to choose foot travel more often, said Allard. “The lowest hanging fruit for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is (for) people to (shift modes of transportation). You need to build the facilities that make it easier to choose active transportation (such as) properly administered pedestrian corridors,” he said. The report concludes that crosswalks are warranted at points along Wellington Crescent, St. Mary’s Road, Lakewood Boulevard and Burrows Avenue, among many other locations. The list is based on pedestrian and vehicle volumes, along with each site’s proximity to other traffic controls and pedestrian crossings. Immediate construction may not make sense at some of the sites, however, which may be altered by upcoming bicycle networks or Winnipeg Transit stop changes, the report warns. Crosswalk additions could also be cheaper if they’re timed to coincide with adjacent road upgrades, it notes. Michel Durand-Wood, a volunteer with Safe Speeds Winnipeg, said he’s glad to see the city pay attention to pedestrian access but believes the effort can’t be limited to crosswalks. “I think crosswalks are better than nothing. But if we were addressing the actual issue, crosswalks would be less necessary... If traffic speeds are low enough, then we don’t need (these) expensive crosswalk structures in a lot of those places,” said Durand-Wood. Safe Speeds advocates for lower speed limits on residential streets and other routes where pedestrians and vehicles share the road. Durand-Wood said it would be “disingenuous” to suggest the city can’t afford to add the crosswalks, since it devoted $152 million to road renewal in 2021. “We can move some money around pretty easily, depending what our priorities are,” he said. The city report notes another 70 potential crossing locations are still being studied, though it’s too early to say if they warrant pedestrian crossing devices. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

2 years, 6 months

Just One Trip

by Mel Marginet

Greetings all, Green Action Centre's GoManitoba tool is launching Just One Trip this fall. If you can help spread the word in your workplaces and on social media, that'd be great. Details in the media release below. September 22, 2021 (Winnipeg, Manitoba) - Manitobans are invited to take the Just One Trip pledge in October to convert one trip per week to a more sustainable mode. Participants choose the way they’ll travel and how often, and then track their trip using GoManitoba. For participating, they receive hints, tips, encouragement, and are entered to win prizes! October is a time when we form habits, including how we get around, as we get back into fall routines. Due to the pandemic, Manitobans have experienced disruption to their regular routines, so now is the perfect time to try something new! Who/Where: All Manitobans What: Take the Just One Trip <https://greenactioncentre.ca/justonetrip/> pledge When: Take the pledge today. The challenge takes place throughout October (or GoTober!) Why: Transportation is the number one source of GHG emissions in Manitoba. Driving alone is expensive (according to Stats Canada, the average Canadian spends $8,000 to $12,000 a year to commute via personal vehicle, almost 20% of consumption <https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/181212/dq181212a-eng.htm>). Workplaces with sustainable transportation programs <https://greenactioncentre.ca/wco-resources/> see a reduction in absenteeism and gain better health outcomes for employees. GoManitoba GoManitoba is a free commuting tool for all Manitobans. The tool matches users together to find carpool partners, transit, biking and walking routes, and mentors for those taking the bus or cycling for the first time. - 30 - For media inquiries about GoTober and the Just One Trip pilot program: Mel Marginet, Sustainable Transportation Team Green Action Centre 204-297-0949 or mel(a)greenactioncentre.ca *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> **Note: I work two days a week at Green Action Centre and it may take a few * *days to respond to you. * *We are located on Treaty 1 Territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. The water we drink comes from Shoal Lake First Nation. * Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

2 years, 6 months

City of Winnipeg Bike Maps Now Available

by Beth McKechnie

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Dickson, Erik <EDickson(a)winnipeg.ca> Date: Wed, Sep 22, 2021 at 9:34 AM Subject: City of Winnipeg Bike Maps Now Available To: Dickson, Erik <EDickson(a)winnipeg.ca> Good morning! My name is Erik Dickson. I am the Livable Streets Specialist at the City of Winnipeg. I work in the Active Transportation Branch at Public Works. The City has recently released an updated Bike Map (Version 7). Please see the news release here as well as links to the online PDF version of the map: https://winnipeg.ca/ourstories/2021/210910.stm Print maps are now available in both English and French and are free. In the past the City has greatly valued the partnership with local community bike shops and advocates to assist in delivery of Bike Maps to the general public. If you are interested in obtaining Bike Maps to hand out to customers/clients/supporters/etc., please let me know how many maps of each language you require and I would be happy to coordinate delivery to you. For reference, if you are asking for a ‘box’ of maps, they come in boxes of 120-130 maps. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. Thank you very much for your help in promoting the City of Winnipeg Cycling Network. [image: City of Winnipeg logo] <https://winnipeg.ca/> *Erik Dickson, MCIP, RPP* Livable Streets Specialist *Transportation Division* *Public Works Department* *Mobile: *204-471-1834 *Email: *edickson(a)winnipeg.ca *Website: *winnipeg.ca *Address: *101-1155 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P1 *Connect with us:* [image: Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg> [image: Twitter] <https://twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg> *Confidentiality Notice:** The information contained in this message is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any use, dissemination, distribution, copying or disclosure of this message and attachments, in whole or in part, by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and permanently delete the complete message and any attachments. Thank you.*

2 years, 6 months

Updated cycling map now available to help you plan your next route

by Beth McKechnie

https://www.winnipeg.ca/ourstories/2021/210910.stm

2 years, 7 months

WFP: City considers test of reduced-speed neighbourhoods (Sep10'21)

by Beth McKechnie

City considers test of reduced-speed neighbourhoods https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-considers-test-of-reduced-spee… WINNIPEG has 30 km/h zones and streets, but that reduced speed could soon apply to entire neighbourhoods. City bureaucrats have recommended some communities switch to the lower speed limit in a new pilot project. Council had directed city staff to look into making 15 roads — one in each ward — 30 km/h zones. A new report from the public service suggests implementing the change in entire neighbourhoods instead. “With 30-kilometre zones surrounded by 50-kilometre zones or even higher speeds... (drivers) will avoid those streets and go to other streets that might not have been designed for that level of traffic,” said Coun. Matt Allard, council’s public works chairman. That’s one of the reasons the change has been suggested, he said. “With a neighbourhood-based approach, you wouldn’t get that problem because everyone in the neighbourhood would be going (30 km/h).” Allard believed four neighbourhoods would be affected, but city staff hadn’t named specific communities. A downside to the proposed change is the amount of signage, Allard said. “If you wanted to reduce the speed from the default 50, you’d have to put up a sign at every block,” he said. “That’s quite costly.” Council has asked the province to approve boundary signage, where speed limit signs would be erected at community entry points instead of on each street, but there has been no response, Allard said. The city turned four neighbourhood greenways into 30 km/h zones as part of its pilot project in July. Machray Avenue, Powers Street, Eugenie Street and Warsaw Avenue are affected. The city’s public works committee will debate the issue on Wednesday. Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) wants to see a city-wide approach or nothing at all. “I think we’re making streets less safe, because people are going to be trying to figure out, ‘Am I in a 30 zone? Forty zone?’” he said. Fifty-kilometre zones are unsafe on roads with no sidewalk, he noted. “We need to work with the province and determine if this is going to be a citywide mandate,” he said. “These block pilots that (have) been proposed are just a slippery way to try to mandate it in... without proper education and training.” Todd Dube, leader of traffic advocacy group Wise Up Winnipeg, said the slower speed areas aren’t “necessary or effective.” “The rhetoric of ‘slow down and save the kids’ really is simply the front line of what becomes an abusive enforcement revenue program, as we’ve seen in the City of Winnipeg for decades,” Dube said. City staff has also suggested erecting speed-reader boards at the 10 photo-enforced locations that have the highest number of infractions. The boards show motorists’ speeds on an LED screen. The city is borrowing four boards from Manitoba Public Insurance for three years and will install them this fall. Grant Avenue, west of Thurso Street, topped the list for number of infractions in 2020, with 11,654 tickets. Eastbound Talbot Avenue, near Watt Street, was second with 4,816 tickets issued. “Speed boards are extremely effective,” Dube said. Each one costs about $5,000, plus $1,000 in annual maintenance and operating fees, the city report says. Installation adds another $1,300 to $10,000, depending on the post used and placement. gabrielle.piche(a)freepress.mb.ca

2 years, 7 months

WFP Editorial: Reduced speeds create more time to think (Sep6'21)

by Beth McKechnie

Reduced speeds create more time to think https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/reduced-speeds-create-… WHETHER 30 km/h is fast or slow depends on an individual’s mode of transportation. Most of us who are not named Andre De Grasse can’t run that fast for a sustained period. Cyclists can maintain a speed of 30 km/h if the rider is in good physical condition. Motorized vehicles can easily go 30 km/h: in fact, the problem in Winnipeg is getting vehicles to go so slow. Like it or not — many vehicle drivers emphatically do not — a speed limit of 30 km/h is becoming more common on the streets of Winnipeg. A one-year pilot project began July 26 on four city streets, dropping the limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h and adding speed humps to give forgetful drivers a jarring reminder of the slow-down zones. Also, the 30 km/h limit at school zones throughout the city resumed on Wednesday in preparation for the upcoming home-school-home migration of children who sometimes forget to look both ways before they cross. Drivers can fume that 30 km/h is frustratingly sluggish, in light of the considerable horsepower they are able to employ with a tap of their accelerator foot. Some also allege the low limits are less about safety and more about a cash grab accessed through speeding tickets issued by the city. Such laments are largely in vain, however, and certainly can’t be heard by the technological photo-radar devices that monitor school zones and issue tickets under the Highway Traffic Act, typically $250 for the owner of a vehicle caught doing 50 km/h. If receiving the fine notices in the mail irritates drivers to a degree sufficient to prompt them to express their disdain for 30-km/h zones to their city councillors or the Winnipeg Police Service, they certainly have every right to complain. But again, they’re likely wasting their breath. Winnipeg’s elected representatives and city planners are all-in committed to a traffic program called Towards Zero, which has been adopted by other cities including Edmonton with considerable success at making roads safer. The goal, sometimes stated as “no loss of life is acceptable,” is to eliminate all injuries and fatalities on Winnipeg roads, a philosophy that will help guide the new Transportation Master Plan the city is developing over the next three years. Another embodiment of the safe-roads philosophy that now dominates city-hall traffic planning is the temporary Open Streets project that closed portions of 14 streets to vehicle traffic, giving the open pavement to cyclists. While drivers can grumble when their route is diverted several blocks by a section of Open Streets, or sigh with frustration when they get a ticket for driving more than 30 km/h in reduced speed areas, no one can argue with the motivation of the city to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Manitoba Public Insurance statistics show that between 2012 and 2019, an average of 260 pedestrians and cyclists were injured or killed annually in vehicle accidents in Manitoba. Perhaps those statistics will be helpful to consider for drivers who, when their progress is slowed to 30 km/h, will find themselves with more time to ponder such matters. If the annual traffic toll of 260 pedestrians and cyclists were allowed to continue unabated, the victims could someday include a family member or friend of any of us. Such an outlook makes it easier to drive as if the child crossing at the upcoming school zone is one of our own.

2 years, 7 months

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AT-Network September 2021