Street Labs 2022
The Oak Hills Community League has been working with their community members and the City of Edmonton to develop a Vision Zero Street Lab. Using adaptable measures, the Street Lab addresses traffic safety concerns experienced and shared by community members.
Community Street Lab Goal: The goal of this Street Lab is to improve safety for road users and make streets more functional for everyone, no matter how they get around the city.
What concerns have been shared by the community?
Feedback collected to inform the Street Lab identified the following concerns:
Drivers speeding
High traffic volumes
Shortcutting
The impact of unsafe driving behaviour on vulnerable road users such as children
Read the Final Report for details and data breakdown
2023 Updates
Traffic studies have shown a big improvement in key areas targeted by the Street Labs program. Specifically, the Alta Link Cooridor location (#3 on our map) was so impactful that the City will be making it a permanent installation in Jun/Jul 2023! This is supported by pre and post installation date
"The Oak Hills Community League is pleased with the positive traffic safety outcomes of our 2022 OHCL Street Labs project. During our initial assessment, we identified some key locations on Carter Crest Road, Leger Boulevard, and Leger Way that we would like for installation of future traffic calming measures. We appreciate the responsiveness and prompt action of the Street Labs Team, and their support in finding solutions to our community's traffic, cycling & pedestrian safety needs." - Brian Boswell, President, Oak Hills Community League
Street Labs Location 4
Looking west across Leger Way (LW) towards Leger Road (LR)
Note the curb extension here reduce the crossing distance and draw drivers’ attention to the crossing. It also improves both visibility on this curve (video right).
Street Labs Location 2
Travelling west on Carter Crest Road (CCR) turning left onto Carter Crest Way (CCW).
Note the parklets (video right and opposite direction), which reduce speeds , and a centre median (video left) to encourage safe turning speeds and turn radius.
What measures are being installed, and why?
This Street Lab will include the following adaptable features to improve safety or functionality:
Parklets to reduce speeds and add vibrancy with planters maintained by volunteers in the neighbourhood. (Note: parklets are approximately the size of a parked car!)
Curb extensions to reduce the crossing distance and draw drivers’ attention to the crossing. (Note: curb extensions are approximately the size of a parked car!).
Centre medians to encourage safe turning speeds and keep drivers in the proper lane. Centre medians have stop signs on them to increase visibility.
2 stage crossings to narrow the road, reduce the crossing distance, and make a more comfortable crossing experience by allowing people to cross in stages.
When will the project be installed?
The installation will occur in phases due to the size and number of locations.
Weather permitting, the installation is expected to begin the week of August 29, 2022, and is expected to be completed by the end of September 2022.
How did community members share their perspectives?
Engagement to collect community insights included:
A public meeting in February 2022 with over 25 attendees. Themes identified in these meetings included congestion, drivers failing to yield or stop at intersections, and unsafe driving behaviour around playgrounds and during school drop off/pick up.
An online survey in April 2022 with over 150 responses. Residents showed broad support for vibrant crosswalks, curb extensions and parklets.
These insights were used to help the City of Edmonton’s Safe Mobility Engineering Team determine which measures would best fit the needs of the community. The full engagement summary document is available on the Safe Streets Map at www.edmonton.ca/StreetLabs, or by request via email at saferoads@edmonton.ca.
How can I give feedback?
An evaluation survey to gather community insights about the effectiveness of the Street Lab will be conducted in the neighbourhood after the Street Lab has been functional for three months. Three months will allow community members time to experience these installations multiple times, using multiple modes of transportation.
Thank you to our partners!
The Oak Hills Community League and the City of Edmonton would like to thank parent councils and administration from local schools: Archbishop Joseph MacNeil, Mother Margaret May, Lillian Osburne, the Whitemud Hills Homeowners Association, and all of the neighbours who took time to share their feedback and experience with us and who supported the development of the Street Lab. Working together, we can achieve our goal of Vision Zero - zero traffic related fatalities and serious injuries by 2032.
Where will the project be installed?
Four locations have been identified based on community feedback
Details of Installation and Background
Information on Two-Stage Crossings
Contacts
More information is available on the Safe Streets Map at edmonton.ca/StreetLabs
Community project team contact: info@oakhillsonline.ca City project team contact: saferoads@edmonton.ca