- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP The Herald: Active transportation bridge a real blessing (Oct23'20)
by Beth McKechnie 24 Oct '20

24 Oct '20

Active transportation bridge a real blessing https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/correspondent/Acti… In 2013, the active transportation bridge linking Elmwood with Point Douglas was opened. Now in 2020, the bridge remains a useful connection between two neighbourhoods, giving cyclists and pedestrians options as they travel across the city. Before the bridge was constructed, getting from one side of the Red River to another on foot or by bicycle was somewhat complicated, … [View More]

1 0

Net-zero by 2030: Lime becomes first micro-mobility firm to pledge to science-based targets
by Beth McKechnie 24 Oct '20

24 Oct '20

E-scooter and e-bike giant Lime has set a 2030 net-zero target and said it will develop science-based emissions reductions targets in the coming months. https://www.edie.net/news/6/Net-zero-by-2030--Lime-becomes-first-micro-mobi…

1 0

Webinar: Doing more with bike data
by Beth McKechnie 22 Oct '20

22 Oct '20

Doing more with bike data *Join us for a free webinar! October 2020* View this email in your browser <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/alk-about-data-693449-e-UNIQID/4jfcq…]> *Next week, join us for a free webinar in collaboration with The League of American Bicyclists!* We are a proud partner of the League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/community/4jfcs/171376801?h=tab5-dDg…>. As we've talked about … [View More]

1 0

Comparing the Promise and Reality of E-Scooters: A Critical Assessment of Equity Improvements and Mode-Shift
by Beth McKechnie 22 Oct '20

22 Oct '20

From: Lacey Friedly <rlacey(a)pdx.edu> Date: Wed, Oct 21, 2020 at 6:48 PM Is shared micromobility the ideal first/last mile supplement to transit? Can electric scooters make it easier for historically disadvantaged populations to get around? In just three years, brand-new fleets of e-scooters have substantially disrupted and altered the urban mobility landscape. For proponents, it's tempting to view them as a new answer to old problems. But a new study concludes that cities should not … [View More]

1 0

9 Steps towards accessible public transportation: online community forum Nov 2, 2020
by Beth McKechnie 21 Oct '20

21 Oct '20

View this email in your browser <https://us15.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=a7592c507bcd803e8a19d…> [image: https://mcusercontent.com/a7592c507bcd803e8a19d6bde/images/46c032f4-e516-47…] Together we can improve access! The Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC), in partnership with stakeholders from across the community, will be hosting *online community forums* (November 2, 2020), to discuss the accessibility of Winnipeg Transit services. Passengers can experience … [View More]

1 0

WFP: Trails group ramps up accessibility in Winnipeg (Oct21'20)
by Beth McKechnie 21 Oct '20

21 Oct '20

Trails group ramps up accessibility in Winnipeg THE Yellow Dog Tavern is the proud owner of a new set of wheelchair ramps, thanks to two customers who wanted to see the Exchange District business be more accessible. Anders Swanson, director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, and Allen Mankewich, an accessibility advocate and wheelchair user, decided they were going take it upon themselves to make it happen one evening while out for a beer. They had noted a lack of ramps connecting the … [View More]

1 0

The Next Normal: Five COVID-19 aftershocks reshaping mobility’s future
by Beth McKechnie 21 Oct '20

21 Oct '20

For anyone who wants to nerd out on what the future of mobility may hold, here is an insightful but longer read. To save you also having to look up these acronyms, OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer and ACES stands for autonomous, connectivity, electrification, and ridesharing. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/fi… cheers, Beth -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 … [View More]

1 0

Proof: Bike Paths are Good for the Local Economy
by Beth McKechnie 17 Oct '20

17 Oct '20

The bean counters have spoken: A safe network of protected bike lanes is good for the urban economy. Completion of the long-sought 35-mile Baltimore Greenway Trails Network would create jobs, improve property values, reduce vehicle miles traveled, create new business activity surrounding the trail and just be better for the air, according to a new report to be released today [Oct 15] by the accounting firm Ernst and Young. Full story: https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/10/15/proof-bike-paths-… [View More]

1 0

Phase Three public engagement for the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan has begun
by Beth McKechnie 16 Oct '20

16 Oct '20

From: Winnipeg Transit Master Plan <transitmasterplan(a)argylepr.com> Date: Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 11:42 AM Hello / Bonjour *Un message en français suivra.* We are excited to announce that the third phase of public engagement for the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan has begun. In the fall of 2019, we asked for public input on a proposed new transit system, which has been used to shape the draft Winnipeg Transit Master Plan. In this third and final phase of engagement for the Winnipeg … [View More]Transit Master Plan, we are sharing plans for the future of rapid transit, including the types of infrastructure that could be built and plans for downtown. We are also sharing details about how we can make transit more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Winnipeggers made it clear that accessibility for all users is a top priority, and the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan proposes changes to better integrate Winnipeg Transit Plus with the rest of the transit network. Improving accessibility for all will be a key consideration in transit network planning and design. Learn more and share your thoughts on the future of rapid transit and accessible transit from October 9 to November 6 online at: winnipeg.ca/transitmasterplan <https://winnipegtransit.com/en/major-projects/transit-master-plan/> *Zoom Meetings * Join us live on Zoom for a presentation and Q&A about the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan. Use the links below to register for one of the sessions. Topic: The Future of Rapid Transit Format: Zoom meeting Date: Saturday, October 24 (Register now <https://winnipeg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_454Ch45GTYebyr_M2BjtZg>) Time: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Topic: The Future of Rapid Transit Format: Zoom meeting Date: Wednesday, October 28 (Register now <https://winnipeg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yrsucwfmTUm26873-g1DpA>) Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. *Help us get Winnipeggers involved* We invite you to help get your fellow residents involved in this process by sharing information about the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan with your communities and encouraging them to share their input. You can follow us on Twitter <https://twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg> and Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg/>, and stay up to date on the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan project by signing up for updates at transitmasterplan(a)winnipeg.ca. Please visit winnipeg.ca/transitmasterplan <https://winnipegtransit.com/en/major-projects/transit-master-plan/> to learn more. For inquiries or for those who require alternate formats or interpretation to participate, please contact transitmasterplan(a)winnipeg.ca. Sincerely, Winnipeg Transit Master Plan project team *[image: cw-v-dk_blue-rgb]* Nous sommes heureux d’annoncer que la phase trois de participation du public pour le Plan directeur du transport en commun de Winnipeg a commencé. À l’automne 2019, nous avons demandé au public de nous donner son opinion sur un nouveau système proposé de transport en commun; cette opinion a servi à élaborer le projet de Plan directeur du transport en commun de Winnipeg. Dans cette troisième et dernière phase de participation du public pour le Plan directeur du transport en commun de Winnipeg, nous communiquons les plans pour l’avenir du transport en commun rapide, y compris les infrastructures qui pourraient être construites et les plans relatifs au centre-ville. Nous communiquons également de l’information sur la manière dont nous pouvons rendre le transport en commun plus accessible aux personnes de tous âges et de toutes capacités. Les Winnipégois ont clairement indiqué que l’accessibilité pour tous les usagers est une priorité absolue, et le Plan directeur du transport en commun de Winnipeg propose des changements visant à mieux intégrer le service Winnipeg Transit Plus au reste du réseau de transport en commun. L’amélioration de l’accessibilité pour tous sera un facteur clé dans la planification et la conception du réseau de transport en commun. Pour en savoir plus et donner votre opinion sur l’avenir du transport en commun rapide et du transport accessible, consultez le site Web suivant entre le 8 octobre et le 6 novembre : winnipeg.ca/plantransportencommun <https://winnipegtransit.com/en/major-projects/transit-master-plan-francais> *Réunions sur Zoom * Joignez-nous en direct sur Zoom pour une présentation et une séance de questions sur le Plan directeur du transport en commun de Winnipeg. Utilisez les liens ci-dessous pour vous inscrire à l’une des séances. Sujet : L’avenir du transport en commun rapide Format : Réunion sur Zoom Date : Samedi 24 octobre (S’inscrire <https://winnipeg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_454Ch45GTYebyr_M2BjtZg>) Heure : De 13 h à 14 h 30 Sujet : L’avenir du transport en commun rapide Format : Réunion sur Zoom Date : Mercredi 28 octobre (S’inscrire <https://winnipeg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yrsucwfmTUm26873-g1DpA>) Heure : De 19 h à 20 h 30 *Aidez-nous à faire participer les Winnipégois* Nous vous invitons à aider vos concitoyens à participer à ce processus en informant vos communautés au sujet du Plan directeur du transport en commun de Winnipeg et en les encourageant à donner leur opinion. Vous pouvez nous suivre sur Twitter <https://twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg> et Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg/>, et vous tenir au courant du projet de Plan directeur du transport en commun de Winnipeg en vous inscrivant aux mises à jour à l’adresse transitmasterplan(a)winnipeg.ca. Veuillez consulter le site winnipeg.ca/plantransportencommun <https://winnipegtransit.com/en/major-projects/transit-master-plan-francais> pour en savoir plus. Si vous avez des questions, ou si vous avez besoin de médias substituts ou de services d’interprétation pour participer, veuillez écrire à transitmasterplan(a)winnipeg.ca. Cordialement, L’équipe du projet de Plan directeur du transport en commun de Winnipeg *[image: cw-v-dk_blue-rgb]* [View Less]

1 0

Using AI to count pedestrians and bicyclists
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 13 Oct '20

13 Oct '20

Using AI to count pedestrians and bicyclists<http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/181329.aspx> <http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/181329.aspx> Automatic Traffic Monitoring and Management for Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Using Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence<https://transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/default/files/1808-Pourhomayoun-Automatic-T…>, released by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University HAPPY TRAILS Terry Zdan, BA MEDes 1520 215 Garry Street … [View More]

1 0

Province to spend $7M on trails
by Beth McKechnie 10 Oct '20

10 Oct '20

*PROVINCE TO SPEND $7 MILLION ON TRAILS* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/572630921.html THE province, in partnership with Trails Manitoba, is spending $7 million to create, maintain and enhance active transportation trails across the province, including in Winnipeg. There are more than 1,700 kilometres of active transportation trails in the province. The government has created three funds that will be managed by Trails Manitoba and held in trust by the Winnipeg Foundation. The $1-… [View More]

1 0

New resource: Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Safety Audit Guide and Prompt List (US)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Oct '20

10 Oct '20

The Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Safety Audit Guide and Prompt List <https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/docs/fhwasa20042.pdf> serves as an update to the *Pedestrian Road Safety Audit Guidelines and Prompt Lists *(2007) and *Bicycle Road Safety Audit Guidelines and Prompt Lists *(2012). However, as pedestrian- and bicycle-focused RSAs are oftentimes conducted simultaneously, this new guide provides the content in one concise document. The document provides information on … [View More]

1 0

Walking and cycling fatalities | US vs UK, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands
by Beth McKechnie 10 Oct '20

10 Oct '20

Ralph Buehler and John Pucher. 2021. "The Growing Gap in Pedestrian and Cyclist Fatality Fates between the United States and the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, 1990–2018," *Transport Reviews*, Vol. 41, Issue 1, January 2021. (Published online on Oct. 7, 2021) *https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01441647.2020.1823521 <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.tandfonline.com_do…>* Using official national data for each country, this … [View More]

1 0

WFP: Snow-cleared streets lure winter bike riders (Oct9'20)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Oct '20

09 Oct '20

Snow-cleared streets lure winter bike riders Report shows demand for cycling routes in winter cold https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/snow-cleared-streets-lure-winter-bi… THERE is demand for accessible, snow-cleared winter cycling routes in Winnipeg, according to a report to be presented to the public works committee next week at city hall. The city conducted cycling counts on 10 streets recently upgraded to Priority 1 snow-clearing (maintained to bare pavement) between Jan. 31 and Feb.… [View More] 13. A total of 1,633 cyclists were logged across all sites, equivalent to approximately 115 daily. According to the data, the majority rode on weekdays, and during slightly warmer weather. This is the first time specific data of this nature has been tracked in Winnipeg, according to Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface). In June 2018, the city approved some upgrades to active transportation pathway snow-clearing, and began designing a winter cycling network. According to the report, improved winter maintenance is intended to ensure key routes are cleared quickly after snowfall to provide “uninterrupted and effective connections” between neighbourhoods, Winnipeg Transit facilities, and downtown. “I want to stress that the lion’s share of the budget for this enhanced snow clearing is to clear the roads that lead to our active transportation facilities,” Allard explained in an interview Thursday. A November 2019 motion called for some monitoring of those cleared routes to determine how much demand there is for winter riding in the city. Across the 10 sites, the highest-trafficked route was Warsaw Avenue, which logged an average of 24 cyclists daily. One route, Clifton Street, recorded no cyclist activity. Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg, attributed the low traffic on Clifton Street to its lack of connectivity to main cycle paths, and noted all 10 of the city’s tested routes are located in generally low-traffic areas. As it stands now, much of Winnipeg’s active transportation network is made up of existing roadways, Allard said, meaning enhanced snow-clearing benefits cyclists, pedestrians and motorists alike. “If you create a facility that people can use, people then start using it — and that’s exactly what we want when it comes to active transportation, when we’re building new facilities because every trip that someone takes on a bicycle or walking is another trip that they’re not taking using another mode,” Allard said. The city noted it was unable to provide figures for latent demand — which would indicate how many potential winter cyclists would ride if infrastructure and snow-clearing were improved — because the data collection processes are currently in early stages. More robust data sets are expected in the future. Cohoe indicated, in his experience, latent demand for winter cycling is substantial — so long as the paths and roads are cleared, and proper infrastructure is in place for accessibility. A 2018 poll conducted by Bike Winnipeg and CAA found a majority of respondents think the city’s snow-clearing on roads and pathways is neutral or poor. “The very basic one is: get that winter maintenance in place,” Cohoe said. “It’s also having protected facilities — it’s even more important through winter to have that type of facility to make those connections.” — with files from Joyanne Pursaga julia-simone.rutgers(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @jsrutgers [View Less]

1 0

Free webinar on Ottawa's recent e-scooter pilot
by Beth McKechnie 09 Oct '20

09 Oct '20

*Oct 15th, 12-1pm EST* *Register at **https:// <https://t.co/QVhp2TdGGC?amp=1>www.cite7.org/event/... <https://www.cite7.org/event/ite-ncs-october-webinar-e-scooter-pilot-in-otta…>* The webinar will cover the results and lessons learned of this summer's e-scooter pilot in Ottawa as well as highlight e-scooter operations elsewhere in Canada. A short Q/A will follow the presentations. *Presenter: Kathleen Wilker, City of Ottawa.* Kathleen Wilker leads the City of Ottawa's … [View More]

1 0

Vancouver City Council approves study on eliminating minimum parking standards
by Beth McKechnie 07 Oct '20

07 Oct '20

Vancouver City Council approves study on eliminating minimum parking standards https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-city-council-approves-study-on-el… Vancouver City Council has directed city staff to perform a deep dive into eliminating city-mandated parking minimums in future building development projects <https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-parking-minimum-requirements-open…> . Instead, the intention is to have an Open Parking Policy method where market forces — developers … [View More]

1 0

WFP Analysis: Collective response is the best strategy (Oct5'20)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Oct '20

05 Oct '20

Collective response is the best strategy https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/collective-response-is-t… REMEMBER when we thought schools taking an extra week off at spring break would give us time for the COVID-19 pandemic to pass? It seems laughable in hindsight, but it was not a unique reaction. For decades, we have been racing toward a climate crisis with a similar “It couldn’t happen here” naiveté. This pandemic could well be a dress rehearsal for the main show, climate … [View More]change — a far more catastrophic global emergency, with no hope of a vaccine to save us. The coronavirus has demonstrated that our world is a fragile ecosystem, and when we push it too hard, it breaks. It has proven that a global problem is everyone’s problem. Old tropes, such as the suggestion the climate crisis is the sole responsibility of major polluters like India, China or the United States, no longer fly. Like tackling a pandemic, the solution to climate change can only be realized through collective response. Global warming has been created through the cumulative effect of billions of small actions, and the only response is an equal number of small solutions. Canadian cities and provinces will be on the front lines of this effort. To provide context, if Manitoba were a country, it would sit within the top 15 highest per-capita emitters in the world. Manitoba’s emissions have increased by more than eight per cent since 2005 — the third highest growth rate among provinces. What’s driving much of the increase in Manitoba’s emissions is driving. The number of cars on Manitoba’s roads has grown by almost 50 per cent since 2005, and despite higher fuel efficiency, emissions from vehicles in the province have almost doubled since 1990. The story is much the same for the city of Winnipeg, where vehicles are responsible for half of all emissions, by far the largest contributor. More than 10,000 vehicles are added to Winnipeg’s roads every year, and with the city’s low density and sprawling growth, we are also driving farther. Winnipeggers drive a combined 5 1/2 billion kilometres per year, equating to every person over the age of 16 driving alone in a car 26 kilometers every single day. Compounding this, Winnipeg is the only major city in Canada to have lower public-transit ridership today than it did 20 years ago (pre-pandemic). The City of Winnipeg has a comprehensive Climate Action Plan that targets a 20 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 (relative to 2011 levels). It targets a 17 per cent reduction in transportation-related emissions, achieved in part by increasing public-transit use and tripling the number of people who walk and bike. So, how do we change 60 years of urban planning centred around traffic management, and begin to promote more sustainable transportation options? Coun. Matt Allard recently introduced two innovative ideas that could be part of a larger transformation. His first proposal introduces an ‘induced demand analysis’ for all new transportation projects. Induced demand is a concept that can best be described as “you get what you build for.” When cities build more roads, people drive more cars. A groundbreaking study from 2011 titled “The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion” demonstrated that there is a one-to-one correlation between a city’s road capacity and the number of kilometres residents drive. The phenomenon has many contributing factors. Increased road capacity initially reduces commute times, causing people to alter their driving patterns, either route, frequency, or time of travel, to take advantage of the higher capacity network. Greater convenience results in fewer people using public transportation and promotes more trips by car. It also inspires driving farther distances, which keeps cars on the road for longer times and stimulates urban sprawl, which further promotes an automobile-centred lifestyle as longer distances make alternate transportation options ineffective. These factors all work together to increase the number of cars on the road, which invariably grows to meet the road capacity, no matter how much was built. This leads to demand for even more roads, creating an unwinnable cycle. Allard’s proposal may allow us to understand how our road-building choices will be affected by induced demand, helping us to make smarter choices, reducing road construction spending, traffic congestion, the amount we collectively drive and, in turn, greenhouse gas emissions. The second motion introduced by Allard is to make the “open streets,” which were so popular during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a permanent fixture in the city. His proposal is to close 15 streets to vehicles for six months per year. This move would represent a transformational shift in our traditional priorities by taking vehicle space and creating places for people. Open streets such as Wellington Crescent and Wolseley Avenue saw high levels of use, regularly accommodating up to two hundred cyclists and almost as many pedestrians every hour. It changed how we experience our city. If the motion passes, open streets could provide the backbone for a new, connected, active-transportation network that fundamentally transforms how we move around. It would be a progressive and bold move for Winnipeg, one that might inspire us to think differently about our city and encourage investment in more sustainable transportation options such as walking, biking and transit. We have learned from the pandemic that change takes a collective effort. As we emerge from the crisis, we have an opportunity to channel this unprecedented global collaboration to focus on the even greater challenge moving toward us. These types of local, progressive ideas, implemented in cities across the world, can create a powerful cumulative effect that moves us toward flattening the global-warming curve, so our children and grandchildren inherit a future from us. *Brent Bellamy is creative director at Number Ten Architectural Group.* [View Less]

1 0

FYI: Designs for Main Street released in new Playbook
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 05 Oct '20

05 Oct '20

From: Canadian Urban Institute <communications(a)canurb.org> Sent: October-05-20 10:14 AM To: Zdan, Terry (MI) <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> Subject: Designs for Main Street released in new Playbook [https://mcusercontent.com/f47fe5ecd01cfe0eeeec18182/images/657964b0-48cb-47…]<https://canurb.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f47fe5ecd01cfe0eeeec18182&…> [https://mcusercontent.com/f47fe5ecd01cfe0eeeec18182/images/a695f5ca-36d5-4b…]<https://canurb.us3.list-manage.com/… [View More]

1 0

Free webinar: Organizing for equitable, walkable communities - Angie Schmitt
by Beth McKechnie 05 Oct '20

05 Oct '20

So many webinars to choose from! [image: Twitter] <https://islandpress.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3bd33456aa62e826309ba…> [image: Facebook] <https://islandpress.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3bd33456aa62e826309ba…> [image: YouTube] <https://islandpress.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3bd33456aa62e826309ba…> [image: Make a gift to Island Press today!] <https://islandpress.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3bd33456aa62e826309ba…> View this email in your … [View More]

1 0

Impact of e-cycling on travel behaviour
by Beth McKechnie 05 Oct '20

05 Oct '20

(Thanks to Michelle Porter for the share) In case you are interested: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32904492/ The impact of e-cycling on travel behaviour: A scoping review - PubMed <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32904492/> pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov This review suggests that the personal use of e-bikes is associated with a reduction in motorized vehicle use, which has potential positive impacts on the environment and health. The impacts of e-bike share schemes and workplace initiatives … [View More]

1 0

Study: We Can’t Fix Transportation-Related Climate Emissions With EVs Alone
by Beth McKechnie 03 Oct '20

03 Oct '20

*Why EVs can’t get dirty to go ‘green’* *In order to maintain our [US] national car addiction and stay within a national transportation-related emissions “budget” that scientists agree is necessary to maintain the planet at temperatures our ecosystems can survive, the United States would need to replace a whopping 90 percent of gas-powered cars on the roads with zero-emissions electric vehicles by 2050, researchers at the University of Toronto <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-… [View More]

1 1

WFP: 'Open Streets' to be further explored (Oct2'20)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Oct '20

02 Oct '20

‘OPEN STREETS’ TO BE FURTHER EXPLORED THE City of Winnipeg could soon prioritize seasonal pedestrian and cyclist access on parts of a dozen streets every year. Council unanimously approved a motion late Wednesday to have its public service study whether to continue 10 sections of “open streets” that the city tested out this year. A report is expected around November. Coun. Matt Allard, chair of the public works committee, hopes to make the active transportation routes permanent, seven days … [View More]

1 0

WFP: City makes changes to traffic lights at intersections to improve pedestrian safety (Oct2'20)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Oct '20

02 Oct '20

*City makes changes to traffic lights at intersections to improve pedestrian safety* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/in-a-flash-they-were-gone-572606212… THE city has put a stop to traffic light cycles that combine flashing amber and red lights at Winnipeg intersections. The change, which took effect Thursday, affects 185 intersections throughout the city, which used the flashing amber and red light signals at night, in the early morning and on weekends when traffic volumes are low. … [View More]The majority of these intersections now has a standard light cycle: solid green, amber and red phases at all hours. Flashing yellow lights warn some directions of traffic to slow down before proceeding through an intersection, while blinking red lights direct drivers to treat the crossing like a stop sign. The city says the change is meant to make it safer for people crossing the street, since pedestrian visual walk signs and audible crossing sounds were inactive during flashing light periods. Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) called for the change a few months ago. Nason said he grew concerned about the practice after a visually impaired resident reported feeling unsafe while walking late at night through the intersection of Plessis Road and Kernaghan Avenue, when it was in a flashing light mode. “Hopefully, (this change) will result in the ability for pedestrians and/or active-transportation users to be able to safely cross the road at these intersections with minimal impact on the driving public,” said Nason. “I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s another step to ensure an inclusive city,” he added. Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) also welcomed the change, noting he expects it could also reduce safety risks for drivers. Mayes said he has personally driven through one set of flashing lights that suddenly switched to a solid red while his vehicle was still in the intersection of Worthington Avenue and St. Anne’s Road. “A third of the way through the intersection, you look up (and) it’s a hard red you’re facing now because the clock has shifted to 7 o’clock (in the morning)... I altered my route in the morning because I thought, I’m going to get a ticket here or, worse, I’m going to get in a collision,” said Mayes. “That dangerous situation has now been eliminated.” The flashing lights were previously meant to reduce driver delays during times when roads saw low traffic volumes. Coun. Matt Allard, council’s public works chairman, said he expects the safety benefits of the change will outweigh any inconvenience for drivers. “There certainly is a trade-off there. Motorists, who in the past may have been able to (enter) the intersection at their own discretion, will have to wait for the signal to change. I think on a balance, though, if you’re considering the vulnerable road users... I think it’s the right thing to do,” said Allard (St. Boniface). The city says eight intersections with especially low traffic volumes will still have a light cycle that flashes red lights in all directions during set hours, which drivers should treat as a four-way stop. City officials also plan to “fine-tune” overnight traffic signal patterns over the next few months, as new traffic data is collected. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga [View Less]

1 0

Shared Use Mobility Data Primer
by Beth McKechnie 01 Oct '20

01 Oct '20

Helpful primer from Oregon on shared use mobility data (bikeshare, e-scooters, carsharing, ridehailing services). Lots to think about! ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: MILLAR Stephanie L <Stephanie.L.MILLAR(a)odot.state.or.us> Date: Thu, Oct 1, 2020 at 2:19 PM Hello Fellow TDM Professionals, I am sharing a recently completed project from my consultants at Trillium Solutions. Attached is the Shared Use Mobility Data Primer. This document was developed to provide small … [View More]

1 0

WFP Weeklies: Final pedestrian sound signal installed (Sep30'20)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Sep '20

30 Sep '20

Final pedestrian sound signal installed https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/Final-pedestria… As a “coo-coo” sound rang out over the noise of traffic, the final pedestrian sound signal was installed last week at a street corner in River Heights, during an event hosted by the City of Winnipeg. Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), chairperson of the standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works, and Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) were on hand on Sept. 24 … [View More]at the corner of Stafford Street and Kingsway Avenue to announce the successful implementation of audible pedestrian signals at all signalized intersections throughout the city. “I wanted to say, I never thought I’d see the day. I thought the plan was going to be... and I’d be dead before it was completed,” Eadie said with a laugh. Audible pedestrian signals communicate traffic signal timing information to pedestrians using non-visual, audible tones. The City had originally anticipated completing the installation of the audible pedestrian signals at all signalized intersections by the end of 2021. “The installation of the 670 signalized intersections was made a priority and completed over a year ahead of schedule,” Allard said, adding it’s a huge achievement to improve accessibility for Winnipeggers at all intersections with traffic signals. “With the addition of audible pedestrian signals, everyone can now safely navigate these intersections with the help of auditory cues to provide guidance indicating when it’s safe to cross the street.” For those not familiar with the sounds made by the signals, the “coo-coo” typically indicates it’s safe to cross in a north-south direction. The signals also make chirping, ticking and tocking sounds. The first audible signal in Winnipeg was installed in 1953 at Portage and Sherburn by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. “I am pleased that this project is finally completed as it will improve accessibility and safety for all of our citizens,” Eadie said. “I want to thank all those who have been involved over the years championing this worthy effort for the benefit of all Winnipeggers regardless of what part of the city they live in. We prioritized this project because we understood and recognized the importance of safety and accessibility for all Winnipeggers.” The City began installing audible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections throughout the city in 1996 under then-mayor Glen Murray. “We who are blind fought for this in the mid-1990s, to convince the city to move ahead, to install audible signals so we knew when it was our turn to cross at all the intersections, no matter where you work, live, play or go to school,” Eadie said. [View Less]

1 0