CANMORE – Traffic calming measures installed on Benchlands Trail as part of a pilot project to try and slow drivers down proved unsuccessful in the end.
The traffic calming measures, which included using temporary bollards, barriers and line paint, were installed earlier this summer as part of the town’s effort to try and decrease vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety.
However, after analyzing the effects of the measures, administration determined the pilot-project had very little impact on slowing drivers down.
“The pilot project successfully demonstrated that modest changes are not adequate to accomplish the stated goals of decreasing vehicle speeds, improving safety and comfort for users and possibly reducing queue and delay times,” said Brian Kinzie, an engineer with the town.
As part of the pilot project, the town collected and analyzed a range of data, including traffic volumes, 24-hour speed measurements, queue and delay times at intersections and physical observations of traffic patterns.
“In regards to speed it was quite interesting,” said Kinzie during a council meeting on Aug. 21.
“As we expected, we saw an initial drop in speed right after the pilot was implemented ... but then what we saw was within a week, speeds returned more or less to what we were seeing pre-pilot.”
According to Kinzie, school traffic had a greater impact on congestion than the traffic-calming measures themselves.
“School pickups and dropoffs are definitely a contributing factor to congestion at the intersections,” said Kinzie, adding there was a 13 per cent change in traffic volumes during school time.
Kinzie also noted the elimination of the right hand turning lane from Cougar Creek Drive onto Benchlands trail had a negative effect on the flow of traffic.
As part of the pilot project, administration also collected feedback from the public, including 95 emails and 169 comments using an online feedback tool.
Some of the concerns came from cyclists who found the narrowing of the road forced them to use the lane instead of sticking to the shoulder. Others complained that the setback crosswalks forced drivers to wait on top of the crosswalk before turning.
According to Kinzie, the pilot project also included the temporary installation of two new pedestrian crossings, one at the bike skills park and another at Settler Way.
While the town received mixed reaction to the new crossings, he said they will likely be permanently installed in 2019 when Benchlands Trail is repaved with an asphalt overlay.
“From the feedback we’ve heard from residents, there’s a clear desire for more cycling and pedestrian facilities and crossings in this corridor,” said Kinzie.
Now that the pilot project is over, the traffic-calming measures will be removed, with some of the temporary bollards and barriers already removed as of Aug. 23.
