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Councilors ask DPW, police and fire alarm office to study countdown timers and crosswalk upgrades on main streets
Summary
Following resident complaints and a recent pedestrian fatality, Councilors Vivian Marmol and Anna Levy urged a study of pedestrian countdown timers and crosswalk improvements on high-traffic and gateway streets; the committee voted to ask DPW, police and the fire alarm/engineering office for cost estimates and an engineering review.
Councilors Vivian Marmol and Anna Levy told the Ordinance Committee on March 11 that recent resident complaints and a downtown pedestrian fatality spurred requests for better crosswalk signals, including pedestrian countdown timers and longer pedestrian intervals at key intersections.
Marmol and Levy proposed a citywide program but agreed with committee members that a practical first step is an engineering study focused on main gateway corridors — Broadway, Essex Street, Lawrence Street and South Union Street — to identify intersections with the highest pedestrian need and to estimate costs. Marmol suggested starting with a small set of intersections and expanding as funding allows.
The committee voted to send a request to the Department of Public Works, the police department and the fire alarm/engineering office to produce an engineering study that: (1) defines major intersections by high traffic volume, gateway/downtown status and pedestrian activity; (2) identifies an initial set of candidate intersections; and (3) provides cost estimates for installing pedestrian countdown timers and any necessary upgrades to aging signal infrastructure.
Why it matters: Pedestrian timers and adjusted walk intervals can reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, particularly in downtown and gateway corridors with high foot traffic, older sidewalks and vulnerable residents.
Next steps: DPW, police and the fire alarm/engineering office will be asked to return cost and feasibility information to the committee. Councilors requested an initial estimate for three intersections so the council can evaluate a phased implementation approach.
