Executive Summary
To Study or Not to Study—That is the Question
The Mad River Valley is a wonderful place to live. Times have changed, however, and the quiet town of the 1950’s is now a bustling tourist attraction. Without realizing this change, we have passively created a pedestrian-unfriendly environment that recently cost us one of our beloved citizens in a terrible crosswalk accident on Route 100. Two issues combine to create this environment: 1) the speed limit of 30mph, and 2) the lack of prominence of our crosswalks.
Speed: We can decrease the likelihood of a serious accident (or death) by 50% if we choose to decrease the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph. Vehicle speed and pedestrian injury has been well studied and documented by the AAA.
Crosswalks: We can decrease pedestrian accidents by as much as 47% by introducing pedestrian-operated lights (RRFBs) (on for only about 30 seconds). This technology has been well studied and documented by VTrans and by the US Department of Transportation. It has been implemented in multiple towns in Vermont including Montpelier, Northfield and Quechee.
In response to the public concern about pedestrian vulnerability in Waitsfield, some--but not all--of our dedicated and greatly appreciated local transportation authorities and volunteers have proposed a study; this study will cost $30,000 to evaluate the problem and to recommend solutions.
We respectfully disagree with this approach. These issues have been fully studied. For $30,000, Waitsfield could fully implement modern, pedestrian-activated, technology at the four existing crosswalks, including installation.
NOTE: A majority of the editors of this document favor starting with 2 RRFB systems on Route 100: one at the Bridge Street crosswalk and one at the Carroll Road crosswalk. A minority of the editors remain concerned, with the current 30 mph speed limit, that the other crosswalks will continue to be very dangerous.
In any case, we do not need a study. We need prompt action to protect our pedestrians
Read the FULL ANALYSIS
To Study or Not to Study—That is the Question
The Mad River Valley is a wonderful place to live. Times have changed, however, and the quiet town of the 1950’s is now a bustling tourist attraction. Without realizing this change, we have passively created a pedestrian-unfriendly environment that recently cost us one of our beloved citizens in a terrible crosswalk accident on Route 100. Two issues combine to create this environment: 1) the speed limit of 30mph, and 2) the lack of prominence of our crosswalks.
Speed: We can decrease the likelihood of a serious accident (or death) by 50% if we choose to decrease the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph. Vehicle speed and pedestrian injury has been well studied and documented by the AAA.
Crosswalks: We can decrease pedestrian accidents by as much as 47% by introducing pedestrian-operated lights (RRFBs) (on for only about 30 seconds). This technology has been well studied and documented by VTrans and by the US Department of Transportation. It has been implemented in multiple towns in Vermont including Montpelier, Northfield and Quechee.
In response to the public concern about pedestrian vulnerability in Waitsfield, some--but not all--of our dedicated and greatly appreciated local transportation authorities and volunteers have proposed a study; this study will cost $30,000 to evaluate the problem and to recommend solutions.
We respectfully disagree with this approach. These issues have been fully studied. For $30,000, Waitsfield could fully implement modern, pedestrian-activated, technology at the four existing crosswalks, including installation.
NOTE: A majority of the editors of this document favor starting with 2 RRFB systems on Route 100: one at the Bridge Street crosswalk and one at the Carroll Road crosswalk. A minority of the editors remain concerned, with the current 30 mph speed limit, that the other crosswalks will continue to be very dangerous.
In any case, we do not need a study. We need prompt action to protect our pedestrians
Read the FULL ANALYSIS