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Town ponders longer crosswalk timing

Municipality thinking about timing for new lights

How fast do you walk when you cross the highway at a crosswalk?

The average, according to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the average is about four feet per second, although that number is likely higher in Qualicum Beach, where senior citizens dominate the streets.

That’s important, says town council, because the town is considering the purchase of eight new countdown timer heads for the crosswalks in town and are looking into how much time residents should have prior to the signal changing and traffic starting up again.

In a report to council Monday night, chief administrative officer Mark Brown noted the 14 seconds between the lighting of the walk signal and its end is 14 seconds, with a total of 20 seconds between the sign lighting and traffic change.

Brown said however that elderly Qualicum Beach residents may not find this sufficient and signal timing will be reviewed as part of the town’s comprehensive traffic review.

The cost of the new heads for the crossing signs is estimated at $5,000.

 

 

 

 

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