Committee refers Century Avenue crosswalk safety review to Ped, Bike & Transit committee after single pedestrian crash

A committee packet police report documenting a daylight crash in which a driver turned right and struck a pedestrian at Century Avenue and Park Street prompted members to seek additional engineering and committee input rather than immediate regulatory changes. The staff summary said the report listed no specific contributing factors, such as visibility issues or distracted driving.

Members discussed near‑term measures that might increase pedestrian visibility, including a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) — which gives pedestrians a head start before drivers get a green — and targeted, activated signage that only flashes when a pedestrian pushes the crosswalk button. Some members raised the option of prohibiting right turns on red at the intersection but acknowledged such restrictions require engineering justification.

Committee members also emphasized enforcement and longer‑term approaches: several warned that segments of Century Avenue are driven at high speeds and suggested the planned road‑diet study for Century Avenue could address systemic speeding and safety concerns. After discussion they moved and seconded a referral; the motion carried and the crosswalk issue will be evaluated by the Ped, Bike & Transit Committee for recommendations back to public works.

Next steps: Ped, Bike & Transit will be asked to review crossing‑specific countermeasures (LPI, signage, no‑right‑on‑red) and enforcement data; staff will provide relevant police speeding/enforcement records and consider candidate pilot locations for dynamic signage or LPI.

Quote: "I can't begin to imagine how that happens," the director said of the crash, describing the incident as "bad driving."