Speed reduction is imperative throughout the city, as the City of Lethbridge has installed temporary traffic calming curbs and digital speed feedback signs.
Transportation Engineering Manager Ahmed Ali says the City’s Transportation Safety Plan was approved by Council in 2021 with a number of focus areas. “Two of the top focus areas are speed and intersections. A quarter of collisions occur because of speed. Close to 50 per cent of collisions occur at intersections.”
The two new initiatives have been used in Alberta and in Canada in many locations, Ali notes, and they’re easy to install and cost-effective. “The reduction of speed helps so much in road safety.”
The curbs also provide an opportunity for the City to evaluate them for a longer-term solution. “We were collecting data before and after, and we’re monitoring its effectiveness. Once we establish they’re working well and are needed, we’ll convert them to permanent curb extensions,” Ali adds.
Ali says the digital feedback signs post a driver’s speed. “Instantaneously, drivers are reminded they’re going over the speed limit and that has a psychological effect on people, and they slow down.”
All the solutions and initiatives throughout the city are evidence-based, Ali explains. “We’re hoping by implementing more recommendations from the Transportation Safety Plan, we’re able to achieve our vision zero. Achieving zero fatalities and major injuries from road collisions. We’re trying to work towards that.”
In the first stage, Ali says, the City will be installing curbs at nine locations. “We have completed all the installations.”
Ali adds there are 15 new locations for the signs, and there were five locations previously installed. “About 20 of them.”
According to Ali, the locations are based on speed and collision data collected, as well as from complaints and requests from residents. “Generally, whenever we do reviews and implementation of new measures, those requests are also a part of the consideration.”
(Photo by Stan Ashbee)
