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WFP: Changes urged to make central intersections safer (Aug31'24)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Sep '24

01 Sep '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Changes urged to make central intersections safer https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/08/31/changes-urged-to-… The City of Winnipeg is being urged to ramp up road safety in central neighbourhood intersections, where a report finds pedestrians have been more at risk of getting injured or killed in collisions. The planning consultant’s report on intersection collision data from 2012 to 2020 found 44.9 per cent of 39 fatal pedestrian-vehicle crashes at intersections were located within or near the city centre or downtown. “Most fatalities happen in the same areas around downtown or in the neighbourhoods surrounding downtown, like Point Douglas or West Alexander … but also most prominently around (the Winnipeg) School Division. If we pay attention to those areas, in my opinion, it’s a good beginning for us to start (making streets safer),” Jairo Viafara, who wrote the report, said. His transportation equity analysis focused specifically on crashes that took place at intersections, for which the most specific geographic data is available. Viafara found 1,118 (61.3 per cent) of the 1,822 pedestrian-vehicle crashes that caused major and minor injuries took place within the catchment area of the school division. About one-third of the fatal pedestrian collisions he studied took place in the downtown east, downtown west, North Point Douglas and South Point Douglas areas, he said. “In certain neighbourhoods, residents continue experiencing a persistent lack of safe pedestrian facilities,” he wrote in the report. Viafara suggests a lack of progress to improve the most collision-prone intersections “may indicate to the public that pedestrian safety is not being considered a priority concern by local decision-makers.” The head of a local residents committee said she’s seen several road safety hazards in her neighbourhood. “I’ve wanted to go walk my dog around the Louise Bridge. It’s impossible to get across there safely … You just take your life in your hands and run,” Catherine Flynn, chairwoman of the Point Douglas Residents Committee, said. Flynn said there are also too few controlled crossings to help pedestrians cross key sections of Main Street and Higgins Avenue, where many folks jaywalk. “I’m not an urban planner, but I think when you’ve got a city that (can get) so cold, one of the things you’ve got to think of is what is the number of safe crossings … It could be -30, -40, windy … of course (pedestrians are) going to run across the street (wherever they are),” she said. Viafara said the affected neighbourhoods appear more likely to rely on walking to get around. Many of the residents have lower incomes than other Winnipeggers, he said. His transportation equity analysis focused specifically on crashes that took place at intersections, for which the most specific geographic data is available. Viafara found 1,118 (61.3 per cent) of the 1,822 pedestrian-vehicle crashes that caused major and minor injuries took place within the catchment area of the school division. About one-third of the fatal pedestrian collisions he studied took place in the downtown east, downtown west, North Point Douglas and South Point Douglas areas, he said. “In certain neighbourhoods, residents continue experiencing a persistent lack of safe pedestrian facilities,” he wrote in the report. Viafara suggests a lack of progress to improve the most collision-prone intersections “may indicate to the public that pedestrian safety is not being considered a priority concern by local decision-makers.” The head of a local residents committee said she’s seen several road safety hazards in her neighbourhood. “I’ve wanted to go walk my dog around the Louise Bridge. It’s impossible to get across there safely … You just take your life in your hands and run,” Catherine Flynn, chairwoman of the Point Douglas Residents Committee, said. Flynn said there are also too few controlled crossings to help pedestrians cross key sections of Main Street and Higgins Avenue, where many folks jaywalk. “I’m not an urban planner, but I think when you’ve got a city that (can get) so cold, one of the things you’ve got to think of is what is the number of safe crossings … It could be -30, -40, windy … of course (pedestrians are) going to run across the street (wherever they are),” she said. Viafara said the affected neighbourhoods appear more likely to rely on walking to get around. Many of the residents have lower incomes than other Winnipeggers, he said. “So, there is a connection between … fatalities and traffic accidents involving people of low income,” Viafara said, noting that appears to be common across Canada. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of council’s public works committee, is calling for city traffic experts to review the report. “The city does know that there are a lot of collisions in the downtown because anywhere where there’s more density, there’s more collisions … It’s (about) putting the spotlight on the vulnerable road user.” The Waverley West councillor said the city has four staff members devoted to implementing a road safety action plan, who prioritize new projects using an “equity lens.” “It’s a huge pillar in what we do,” Lukes said. The city expects to spend $30 million on road safety improvements over the next six years, she said. Viafara is urging the city to make several changes to make core-area intersections safer. The recommendations include prioritizing pedestrian safety countermeasures for downtown and adjacent neighbourhoods, conducting “walkability assessments” near frequent collision sites, improving collision data collection and preparing safe route to school plans. He said countermeasures could include adding lights, medians and other road treatments to help minimize the risk of crashes. “Transportation (needs) to be part of the revitalization effort,” Viafara said.

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New machines have sights set on tracking City sidewalk conditions
by Beth McKechnie 24 Aug '24

24 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Released: August 23, 2024 at 10:01 a.m. Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeggers – don’t be alarmed if you see a futuristic-looking quad out on Winnipeg sidewalks this month. It’s not a real-life Transformers moment – it is a new-to-us data collection tool designed to help the City of Winnipeg better assess, maintain, and improve sidewalk and pathway conditions. Two sidewalk surface testers will collect data on nearly 3,200 km of asphalt and concrete sidewalks and pathways over the next few months. “This new technology will make a real difference in how we keep sidewalks in good shape,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “By using these advanced tools, we’re improving how we assess and maintain our infrastructure, which means better service for all Winnipeggers. This is a practical step toward ensuring our sidewalks are safe and accessible for everyone.” We have previously collected data on surfaced street, back lanes, and pathways, but not sidewalks. The machines will record information about: * Sidewalk length and width * Surface material * Tripping hazards and cracks * Steepness * Factors that could reduce the sidewalk’s usable width “For the first time ever, we’re collecting citywide baseline data on the conditions of our sidewalks,” said Janice Lukes, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works. “This data will help us determine what we’re working with now, what we may need to do to keep sidewalks serviceable in the future, and how much money we require to keep Winnipeggers moving on them.” Once the sidewalk surface testers have inventoried the whole city, we will segment the sidewalk network and assign each a general condition (new, good, fair, poor, very poor), similar to our existing street conditions assessments. The data will help us plan renewals and maintenance activities, including helping determine whether funding amounts are adequate to meet our future service level targets. The City plans to collect the same data in 2027 and every three years after. https://www.winnipeg.ca/news/2024-08-23-new-machines-have-sights-set-tracki…

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Green Action Centre seeks Bike Education Instructor
by Beth McKechnie 20 Aug '24

20 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Position: Bike Education Instructor Contract: During months of September-October and May-June Rate: $250-$300 per day based on experience, for total of 75 days Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Application Deadline: August 26, 2024 Details: Bike Education Instructor<https://greenactioncentre.ca/jobs-bike-education-instructor/>

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WFP Traffic lights turned on near FortWhyte at McGillivray (Aug17'24)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Aug '24

17 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. TRAFFIC LIGHTS TURNED ON NEAR FORTWHYTE A NEW set of traffic lights is now working at McGillivray Boulevard and Brady Road, near FortWhyte Alive. A new entrance to the wildlife preserve and recreation area is expected to open next to the intersection this winter. “These four-way lights increase safety and connectivity in Winnipeg’s active transportation network and will provide much-needed crossing controls for pedestrian, cycling and vehicular traffic at this very busy intersection,” Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of the City of Winnipeg’s public works committee, said in a news release Friday morning.

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WFP: Canada’s public transit in crisis (Aug17'24)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Aug '24

17 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Operating costs sinking transit systems: report Canada’s public transit in crisis https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2024/08/16/broke-and-broken-repo… OTTAWA — A new analysis warns that Canada’s major cities — including Winnipeg — are struggling to keep their transit systems running and says public transit is heading for a “downward spiral” unless major new streams of operating revenue open up. In a report published in late May, Leading Mobility Canada said the $120-billion in expansions planned for those transit systems won’t help cities that are struggling to keep the buses and trains running at current levels. David Cooper, the principal at Leading Mobility and the study’s co-author, said the majority of transit is funded through passenger fares and property taxes and cities have very limited options for other sources of revenue. The federal government is allocating billions to expand transit. “It’s great we’re getting these investments but you actually can’t materialize the benefits of these investments if the cities actually can’t afford to run it,” he said. The analysis looked at the budgets, revenue sources and long-term plans for eight transit systems in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. Most of them are already reporting budget shortfalls. Calgary’s shortfall was $33 million in 2023, the same year Toronto reported a $366-million gap. Montreal anticipates its budget shortfall will exceed $560 million in 2025 and grow to $700 million by 2028. Halifax expects it will be up to $22 million short in 2026 — more than 15 per cent of its total transit budget — while Vancouver warns of a structural deficit of $600 million by the same year. All of them say the planned expansions, such as new light rail lines in Ottawa, bus rapid transit in Halifax and subway expansions in Toronto, will incur operating costs well above what they can afford. Vancouver estimated bus and light rail expansions will cost $1.2 billion extra. Calgary said in 10 years its operating budget will be $127 million higher. Edmonton said by 2033 its budget deficit will grow to $174 million a year, while Winnipeg estimated its expansion plans will add $37 million in annual costs. The provinces and federal government are only offering limited operating funding to go with the growth and even that is temporary. For example, Ontario has agreed to provide $1.2 billion to help Toronto run two new LRT lines for a three-year period. In late July, Vancouver’s TransLink warned that it will have to make significant service cuts if its structural deficit isn’t solved, including cancelling 145 of its 245 bus routes and reducing service on the SkyTrain and SeaBus. The result would push more than half a million people out of walking distance from a transit stop or station. On Aug. 8, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe sounded the alarm about a “transit crisis” because of a $9-billion hole in OC Transpo’s long-range financial plan, including the opening of the nearly $5-billion second phase of light rail. “It’s nice to dream of building more light rail but we don’t even have the money we need to operate our existing system,” Sutcliffe said. “If we don’t get the help we need, it won’t even make financial sense to open Phase 2 of light rail. We’d be better off from a financial perspective not to open and run the system.” The report makes clear that COVID-19 hastened some of the structural funding problems plaguing transit systems when work-from-home policies took a massive bite out of ridership. Leading Mobility said before COVID-19, passenger fares covered an average of 59 per cent of the costs of transit in Canada, far higher than the 38 per cent in the United States. By 2023, fares covered as little as 23 per cent of costs in Ottawa and as much as 43 per cent in Toronto. Most cities have seen ridership return — though not quite to pre-pandemic levels — but people are using the system differently, with fewer people buying monthly passes, and in some places, more using subsidized transit passes or tickets. Property tax is most often the second-biggest source of revenue for public transit but inflation and affordability have put massive pressures on cities and there is limited ability for transit to get more money from property taxes. Vancouver’s TransLink gets a share of gas tax funding but with B.C. drivers adopting electric vehicles more rapidly than anywhere else, that funding source is shrinking fast. Gas tax revenues were down $34 million in 2023 from the year before. Halifax has a benefit area tax, a surtax on properties located within a certain distance of transit, which in 2023 accounted for almost half its total revenues, or $58.6 million. Montreal gets about five per cent of its operating revenue from a vehicle registration levy. Vehicle levies and benefit taxes are among the suggestions the Leading Mobility report makes for cities. It also suggests considering a tax on electric vehicle charging, or adding congestion pricing that taxes vehicles in the busiest parts of cities, similar to what’s in place in London and New York City. The report calculated what may work best in each jurisdiction but also notes that many cities need permission from their provincial governments for such changes. It recommends provinces make legislative changes to allow transit systems to raise new money. The report also calls for a national commission on transit operating funding, bringing together provinces and municipalities to determine the best way to save their systems. Cooper said cutting service is a death knell because people will only use transit if it is reliable and affordable. If ridership drops, revenues drop, and then more cuts follow. Marco D’Angelo, president of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, said he feels there is a will to solve this problem and it is not insurmountable. He noted that when ridership plummeted during the pandemic, federal and provincial governments stepped up to help. “We had leadership when it was needed to keep Canada’s transit systems running,” he said. “This is a different scenario but it was handled before by provinces and the federal government recognizing the national importance of public transit.” — The Canadian Press

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WFP: Driver tried to flee after hitting boy (Aug14'24)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Aug '24

15 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. DRIVER TRIED TO FLEE AFTER HITTING BOY: POLICE A driver is facing charges after he allegedly struck a young boy riding a bicycle and tried to flee the scene. An officer with the Winkler Police Service was on patrol in the area of Pembina Avenue and Main Street when he saw the collision at about 1:06 p.m. Monday. A red Chevrolet Silverado turned east onto Pembina from southbound Main and struck a small child who was crossing the intersection on a bike. The truck briefly stopped in the roadway before the driver accelerated eastbound in an apparent attempt to leave the scene, the police service said later that day. The officer was able to stop the suspect before trying to give the victim first aid. An off-duty local doctor approached the scene and gave the boy medical care. The boy was transported to hospital by paramedics in stable condition with undetermined injuries. The driver of the truck, a 50-year-old Plum Coulee man, is facing charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failure to stop after a collision causing bodily harm and driving without a licence.

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WFP: One pedestrian killed, two injured in three accidents (Aug12'24)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Aug '24

12 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. One pedestrian killed, two injured in three accidents https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/08/10/one-pedestrian-ki… A 49-year-old woman is dead after she was struck by a vehicle while reportedly lying down on the Harry Lazarenko Bridge, while two other people are in hospital in critical condition after they were hit while crossing Winnipeg streets in just over six hours. Winnipeg Police Service officers were called to the bridge, which connects Redwood Avenue with Main Street, about an injured woman at about 1:45 a.m. Saturday. Police found the woman with serious injuries, but she died before paramedics were able to arrive to try to revive her. Traffic investigators, in a preliminary probe, found the woman was lying on the road when she was hit by a driver headed west. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and spoke with officers, police said. Investigators have identified the victim and informed her family of her death. Police are also still investigating another serious collision between a vehicle and pedestrian on Pembina Highway at Adamar Road, which also occurred overnight. Officers were called to the intersection at about 4 a.m., where they found a man with serious injuries. Paramedics took the man to hospital in critical condition. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and spoke with police. Police have determined the man was walking eastbound across Pembina near the intersection when he was hit by a driver headed east. Earlier Friday, at about 9:45 p.m., police were called to Smithfield Avenue and Main Street, where a 57-year-old man was in critical condition on the road. He was rushed to hospital. Investigators believe the man was crossing Main Street against a red light when a vehicle, travelling south, hit him. The driver stayed at the scene. Police have asked anyone with further information, including video or dash camera footage from the areas near the collision scenes, to call the traffic division at 204-986-7085<tel:204-986-7085> or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204786-8477<tel:204786-8477>. The death of the woman on the Harry Lazarenko Bridge is the second fatal collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle this week. A man was struck near Queen Elizabeth Way (Main Street) and Mayfair Avenue near The Forks at about 3:30 a.m. on Thursday by a driver that fled the scene. He was taken to hospital in critical condition, but later died. Police have said investigators were closing in on the kind of vehicle that hit the man on Thursday. fpcity(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:fpcity@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: City seeks stronger analysis of traffic data (Aug9'24)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Aug '24

09 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Proposal request aims to improve road safety City seeks stronger analysis of traffic data https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/08/08/city-hopes-enhanc… A new system to collect traffic counts and collision data is on the way to Winnipeg in an effort to improve road safety. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, said the addition is great news. “If we have better data and better ability to sift, sort and analyze the data, then it becomes clear to us where we need to make changes and investments to improve the system. At a punch of a few buttons, we can see sooner where the collisions are, we can analyze when they happen,” said Lukes (Waverley West). A request for proposals seeks a company to implement the new system for Winnipeg’s traffic monitoring program. “The City of Winnipeg has greatly expanded their traffic-monitoring program in the last five years and needs a solution that will support the acquisition, validation, analysis and dissemination of all its data sources,” the document notes. It states the city’s current tracking program has “major limitations,” since it lacks a central database and information is difficult for the public to access. “Short-duration studies are currently managed through a series of disconnected excel files that result in poor scheduling, duplication of efforts, and data entry error,” the RFP notes. The new system is expected to let the city make better use of Manitoba Public Insurance collision data that municipal officials already receive. “(With this system) if we see a particular intersection is always either getting bogged down or there are collisions on a regular basis and then we can analyze it in a more rapid manner, then we can fix it sooner,” said Lukes. A request to speak with a city traffic official was not granted on Thursday. In an email, a city spokeswoman said the system will make better use of vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian counts, which are gathered through radar, intersection video cameras, pneumatic road tubes (tubes laid across the road to gather data) and other devices. “More than 40 permanent count stations have been installed across Winnipeg in the past five years and hundreds of other traffic studies have been collected with portable equipment as part of the traffic-monitoring program,” wrote spokeswoman Pam McKenzie. “The (new system) will help the city consume all of the data from these devices and present it in an easy-to-digest format that will help… derive more meaningful insights.” Lukes said ensuring all of the data can be quickly assessed to support safety decisions will help the city more efficiently select the changes most likely to reduce collisions. She said she hopes Winnipeggers will eventually see fewer collisions as a result. “If we can have a better technology to capture and monitor and analyze this data, it really helps us make better decisions,” she said. The RFP notes council approved a road safety strategic action plan in 2022, which this system would support. “Several of the 67 actions identified in the (plan) relate to the need to improve and better integrate safety data into divisional practices,” the document notes. For example, city officials expect the new system will help track performance toward a municipal goal to reduce fatal and serious injury collisions by 20 per cent between 2022 and 2026 and conduct road safety reviews with detailed collision analyses. In an email, Mayor Scott Gillingham’s communications director said the system is part of a renewed focus on road safety. “It started with council adopting the road safety strategic action plan in 2022, then we created a new unit to oversee the plan last year, and now we’re looking to improve our systems to make better use of traffic count and collision data,” wrote Colin Fast. The winning bidder is expected to implement the data system for four years, with a possible three year extension. The city expects to spend $200,000 on the contract. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Police using video to zero in on suspect involved in fatal pedestrian collision (Aug9'24)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Aug '24

09 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Driver can hit, run but can’t hide Police using video to zero in on suspect involved in fatal pedestrian collision https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/08/08/police-zero-in-on… POLICE said they are closing in on a suspect in a hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian near The Forks early Thursday as officers canvassed the area for witnesses and additional surveillance footage. Although police haven’t identified the person responsible, investigators have “a good idea on the general type of vehicle that was involved, based on surveillance video and some roadway evidence,” Patrol Sgt. Brian Neumann said. “Ultimately, there will be evidence on that vehicle of this collision, so when we obtain that vehicle, we should be able to gather the evidence necessary to complete our investigation.” Officers responded to Queen Elizabeth Way (Main Street) and Mayfair Avenue at about 3:30 a.m. A seriously injured man was found and taken to hospital in critical condition but later died. The preliminary investigation indicated the man was walking across Queen Elizabeth Way when he fell and was struck by a southbound vehicle as he struggled to get up. The driver took off, police said. Neumann, who co-ordinates collision investigations, said officers rerouted traffic to gather evidence from the scene. Investigators have yet to release information about the vehicle involved in the collision but will provide an update to the public when they are ready, the patrol sergeant said. “What we are having to do is just expand our knowledge of what we have so far, so that when we want to be able to take that action, we have sufficient (evidence) to effect an arrest or bring a person in for an interview,” he said. “I’ve got investigators out who are viewing video and compiling their opinion on what they are finding… Especially in an urban environment, we tend to be able to follow them throughout their movement in the city until we get (the suspect) identified.” Speaking generally, Neumann said suspects identified in hit-and-run investigations can range from motorists with a clean driving record to people with criminal records. In some cases, drivers panic after a collision and flee the scene. Later, they turn themselves in to the police. Other times, motorists try to cover their tracks by destroying evidence or getting their vehicles washed, he said. Impairment can be a contributing factor that leads to a collision or influences a person’s decision to flee, he said. He urged anybody involved in a hit-and-run collision to do the right thing and come forward to police. “You may be wrong and you may be (held) accountable but you have to step up and take that. Just like you would expect someone else to do that if it happened to you or someone in your family,” he said. “In the case of something like today’s incident… you’re just compounding the problem. It’s not going to get easier.” Investigators ask anybody who was travelling near Mayfair Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Way around the time to call investigators, particularly if they have video footage, Neumann said. Investigators can be reached at 204986-7085<tel:204986-7085> or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477<tel:204-786-8477> (TIPS). Manitoba Public Insurance recorded 384 reports of hit-and-run collisions that resulted in injuries in Winnipeg since 2022, including 92 incidents as of July 31. Nine people were killed in hit-and-runs during the same period, including three this year. The numbers do not include Thursday’s fatality, MPI said. One hit-and-run investigation in which a person was injured remains unsolved from 2023, Neumann said. A cyclist was crossing Notre Dame Avenue and Isabel Street on the evening of June 30. The vehicle fled the scene before the police arrived. An empty but heavily damaged grey 2007 Pontiac G6 was later found in the 100 block of Juno Street. It was subsequently learned that four men were observed fleeing the vehicle, police reported. tyler.searle(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca>

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City News: Calls for bike safety in Winnipeg continue after girl hit by vehicle in Wolseley neighbourhood (Aug7'24)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Aug '24

09 Aug '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/2024/08/07/calls-bike-safety-winnipeg-latest-i…

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