Region of Waterloo looks to improve safety at roundabouts
Posted Apr 12, 2023 03:00:29 PM.
Last Updated Apr 12, 2023 03:09:55 PM.
The Region of Waterloo is looking to install raised crosswalks and flashing beacons at roundabouts to increase pedestrian safety.
Regional Councillor Michael Harris told the Mike Farwell Show on Wednesday that the goal of the raised crosswalks is to improve driver awareness and slow traffic.
“We’re the pioneer of roundabouts,” he said. “We’re going to continue to evolve and ensure they’re constructed safely for both pedestrians and commuters, including transportation vehicles that often find roundabouts challenging.”
While these pilot projects aim to improve pedestrian safety, Harris said roundabouts have always been safer than traffic lights. He highlighted that between 2016 and 2020, there were 14 pedestrian-involved collisions at the region’s roundabouts. Meanwhile, there were 377 pedestrian collisions at traffic signals across the tri-cities.
“When my family gets in the car and is going about their business in the region, I feel they’re the most safe knowing most of our intersections now have roundabouts,” Harris said. “If there’s ever an incident or an accident, the severity of an incident is far less than a traffic signal.”
The flashing beacons at roundabout crosswalks would let drivers and pedestrians know when it’s time for pedestrians to cross. The signals will have audio for people with visual impairments.
Other construction includes making roundabouts bigger to improve drivers’ views, as well as moving back crosswalks. Most were six metres from the traffic circle, but will now be between 12 to 13 metres back.
Harris said the pilot projects will be implemented mostly at newer roundabouts before being added to older ones.
