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Ashland weighs crosswalk alert setup Lights embedded in sidewalks would flash at drivers when someone is crossing the street By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Embedded, flashing lights in crosswalks that warn drivers of pedestrian presence produced dramatic increases in drivers yielding the right of way in a test in Kirkland, Wash. But the city of Portland doesn't plan to install any more after the only one they used had poor daytime visibility, triggered at inappropriate times and didn't seem to slow traffic. An installation is being urged on East Main Street at First Street after a woman was fatally injured in a crosswalk there during December. The woman's daughter, Laura Schultz, has started a fund to help pay for the work. City and Oregon Department of Transportation officials are considering the proposal. Joan Bournstein, 73, died 10 days after she was hit by a pickup in the dark in the early evening of Dec. 20. A Central Point man was ticketed for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. "They are looking at about $20,000 per installation," said Schultz. "My mother's hospital bills came to over $150,000 before she passed away. That would pay for six installations." The fund has raised about $2,000, said Schultz. Contributions can be made at the Bank of America Ashland Branch. The system has several components. Amber lights are placed in pavement on the side of a crosswalk facing oncoming traffic. Sensors or pedestrian controls activate the lights that flash at a constant rate. They shut off after a predetermined time. City officials will study the lights and other pedestrian enhancements for downtown before the state repaves East Main. The work will start in late spring. Improvements may also include "bumpouts" at corners that extend into the street to make pedestrians more visible and bolder striping at crosswalks, said Paula Brown, Ashland public works director. "We are looking at a total package to see if they are appropriate," said Brown. "If you do lights at one (intersection) do you expect them at all of them?" Motorists stopped for pedestrians 100 percent of the time at one Kirkland crosswalk with embedded lights during a night test. A night test without the lights showed drivers yielding just 16 percent of the time. Tests at two Kirkland intersections showed greater compliance and drivers applying brakes sooner when the lights were in use both during the day and at night. John Vial, ODOT district manager, said the agency has reviewed reports from around the nation. "Cities were happy when they were first installed," Vial said. "But analyzed over time there start to be more and more questions." After trying a set of embedded lights, Portland will instead put in flashing overhead beacons at intersections to alert motorist to pedestrians. "I think those have much more impact," said Bill Kloos, manger of the traffic signal and street light division. "The city of Portland ... gave it a less than favorable response, but others have been more positive," said Brown. Siskiyou Boulevard also could have two of the warning light setups installed when work begins on reconstruction of the street this summer. One set would near the high school. The other would be near Bridge Street at Southern Oregon University. The city Boulevard Redesign Committee has recommended installation. The City Council, which has authority over Siskiyou Boulevard, will vote on the warning light installations in its April 2 meeting. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.