THE CORPORATION OF THE lITY OF FORT COQUITLAM TO: FROM: Igor Zahynacz. P.Eng. August 31. 1990 City Engineer Russ Mammel. A.Sc.T. Project/Tratfic Tech. SUBJECT: Warrant Criteria for Marked Crosswalk Instailations. INSTALLATION OF MARKED CROSSWALKS when dealing with residents requesting a marked crosswalk, I have found that we can always agree that the satfety of pedestrians 1s a prime consideration. The difference of opinion comes when deciding on the best wav to Lessen the potential for pedestrian accidents. The consensus of most traffic engineers seems to be that by providing the pedestrian with the major responsibility for their own satety, rather than trusting his safety to the driver, accidents are less likely to happen. The most important thing for a pedestrian to do when crossing a road is to be very sure that an approaching vehicle is going to Stop before stepping out in front of it. By having a marked crosswalk, pedestrians are often overconfident when crossing. Believing that the driver sees the him and the crosswalk, the pedestrian may begin to cross before being absolutely sure that the vehicle will stop. Often accidents happen when the driver isn't paying attention and doesn't notice the pedestrian. It ig true that drivers are much less likely to stop for a pedestrian at a unmarked crossing. However, I believe that this uncertainty for the pedestrian is good, as there is a better chance that he will wait for a car to stop before crossing. WARRANTS FOR NEW MARKED CROSSWALKS Despite the inherent danger in the use of marked crosswalks. they have achieved a remarkable public acceptance as a safety device. I consider it impractical to attempt changing the public attitude toward these. Therefore. an effort should be made to make crosswalks as safe possible. One aspect of making marked crosswalks safe is to limit their use. through suitable warrants. to only those locations where it could provide some benerit. TTEM PAGE | \O\ |