Carmanah Technologies

These days, we could all use a little levity. And while traffic safety is no laughing matter, we love these funny/punny highway message signs from the Utah Department of Transportation. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with for the holidays! https://hubs.la/H0B_yP80

Over the past 10 years pedestrian fatalities have increased more that 30%. This alarming rise in the loss of life is concerning, and as such the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently released a first-of-its-kind Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. The plan details 90 commitments to help transportation departments implement proven countermeasures. We've summarized the USDOT's plan, including the topics Carmanah's technical experts will be keeping a close eye on. Read our summary:

The Safe Routes Partnership is about giving back to communities giving kids the ability to walk and bike to school safely, giving families the opportunity to be physically active together in their neighborhoods, and giving everyone fair and equitable access to school, jobs, parks, healthy food, and community connections. On #GivingTuesday, Carmanah Technologies is pleased to donate $500 to the Safe Routes Partnership. https://hubs.la/H0BRpB10

What started more than 20 years ago with one small town in Sweden has become a global phenomenon, with hundreds of cities committing to ambitious Vision Zero goals. A recent report from the International Transport Forum (ITF) looks at how they're doing and finds, perhaps unsurprisingly, the answers is some better than others. While progress is being made overall (the number of road deaths fell between 18-29% on average), it's not being made at a quick enough pace to meet UN ...road safety targets. Reductions for vulnerable road users (i.e. pedestrians and cyclists) have been especially slow. Still, some cities are proving to be leading examples, including Calgary, Alberta, which over the past few years, has reduced speed limits, implemented a variety of traffic calming measures, and stepped up sanctions against impaired driving, resulting in an impressive 38% decrease in traffic deaths between 2010 and 2018. Learn more: https://hubs.la/H0BKvCH0

In recognition of the Canadian Remembrance Day holiday, our Victoria office will be closed on Wednesday, November 11.

It would be nice if all you had to do to improve safety at a pedestrian crossing was to add some paint and maybe a sign or two, but unfortunately, as multiple studies and real-life examples have shown, it's not that simple. To overcome problematic street designs and effect driver behavior, you need to consider all the tools at your disposal, including strategies and infrastructure aimed at reducing speeds, improving visibility, and overall, encouraging more equitable treatmen...t of all road users. Need some ideas? We've got 'em: https://hubs.la/H0BCCVB0

Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) are a great choice for improving pedestrian safety and driver yield rates at midblock crossings along local roads, but what about multilane traffic circles on major thoroughfares? The City of Red Deer, Alberta is about to find out. Earlier this year, it installed more than a dozen high-intensity, solar-powered Carmanah RRFBs at two high-traffic locations and is already seeing promising results. Read our latest case study to learn more, and big thanks to the team at @atstraffic for another great project! https://hubs.la/H0zxZzk0

Everybody makes mistakes. We know this to be true, so why do we design our roads and transportation systems as if it weren't? A Safe Systems approach acknowledges this fundamental truth, and advocates for infrastructure and policies that are designed to accommodate human error. When accidents do happen, the goal is to reduce deaths and serious injuries not eliminate all crash types. Safe road users + safe vehicles + safe roads + safe speeds + post-crash care = The safe sys...tem approach Learn more: https://hubs.la/H0zbp9X0

Happy Halloweenstay safe!

Desire pathsthose shortcuts that crisscross parks, campuses, and neighborhoodsare everywhere. For decades, they've frustrated urban planners intent on prescribing "the best" pedestrian routes. But recently, some are taking a more progressive approach, looking to desire paths as a form of user feedback rather than transgressions to be corrected. Head over to our blog to learn more: https://hubs.la/H0yT1SZ0

With the FAST Act effectively stalling out in Congress earlier this month, it's easy to take a glass-half-full perspective on transportation funding and developments at the federal level. But as the @VisionZeroNetwork reminds us, there is actually plenty to be "cautiously optimistic" about. From encouraging complete streets and recognizing Safe Routes to School efforts in its to definingfor the first time in a federal statuteterms such as Vision Zero, Safe Systems, and vul...nerable road-users, important strides have been made over the past few years toward improving transportation safety and accessibility for all. Watch the webinar or read the highlights: https://hubs.la/H0ySZYK0

If you've ever tried to build an accessible crosswalk or sidewalk, you've probably noticed there's a lot of standards and guidelines out there telling you what you should (and shouldn't) do to ensure your project is "compliant." But what are these documents? Which do you need to pay attention to? And are they legally enforceable? We're here to help you make sense of it all. Head over to our blog to learn about ADAAG, PROWAG, MUTCD, and more. And if you have any questions about adding accessibility to your next project, we'd love to hear from you. https://hubs.la/H0yD4mC0

Hats off to Caltrans HQ for using this October’s first-ever Pedestrian Safety Month as a launchpad for a variety of new safety countermeasures and enhancements designed to make pedestrians of all ages and abilities safer and more visible. These include: Nearly 3,000 new crosswalks Installation and repair of nearly 50 miles of sidewalk New pedestrian signs and pavement markings... Signal timing enhancement and extended crossing times Intersection and roadway design changes Behavior change goes hand in hand with infrastructure improvements. Safe habits by drivers and pedestrians complement a transportation system that is designed with pedestrian travel in mind. We couldn’t agree more! https://hubs.la/H0yg7cT0

Lunch plans tomorrow? We're hosting a 30-minute presentation and discussion on lighting design for uncontrolled crosswalks. The fun starts at 12 p.m. PDT. Reserve your spot: https://hubs.la/H0y8KX10

With 75% of pedestrian fatalities occurring after dark, proper nighttime lighting is a critical component of pedestrian safety. As part of ITE's ongoing virtual drop-in sessions, we'll be hosting a 30-minute presentation and discussion on Lighting Design Principles for Uncontrolled Crosswalks next Tuesday, October 20 at 12:00 PDT. Register here: https://hubs.la/H0xXjTJ0

Did you know that 26% of Americans have a disability? Or that more than half of crosswalks in the U.S. aren't ADA-compliant (i.e. accessible to people with disabilities)? Cities can and should do better, and we're excited to help them do just that with the launch of an affordable new audible pushbutton, available now on our best-selling RRFB system. Read all about it: https://hubs.la/H0xXnRK0

Let the socially distanced turkey dinners begin. We'll be closed Monday, October 12, to celebrate Thanksgiving here in Canada. Have a safe and great weekend and we'll talk to you again on Tuesday!

Today is National Walk to School Day! We believe every day should be Walk to School day, and events like these help lead to policy and environmental changes that make this possible. Learn more about addressing walkability issues: https://hubs.la/H0xBJ_G0

It's STEPtember! We've been fans of the Federal Highway Administration's Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) program for years, but now that they've added a bunch of new videos, case studies, and tools, we're inclined so sing its praises even louder. Head over to their site to see what they're up to, and learn how your state or city can "step up" to implement proven safety countermeasures at pedestrian crossings. https://hubs.la/H0x50jZ0

We know what causes wrong-way driving crashesimpairment, speed, and poor nighttime visibility, among othersand yet, they keep happening. Almost every day, an alert comes in that there's been another incident, another life lost. But these crashes are preventable, as states like Nevada are showing. Having recorded 400 crashes and 75 deaths in a 10-year period, DOT officials knew the traditional methods weren't working. "Enforcement is only going to get us so far, and educatio...n is only going to get us so far," said Trooper Travis Smaka. To fill the gap and save lives, they've installed several of Carmanah's wrong-way driver detection and alert systems in and around Las Vegas. Sensors activate when a driver goes the wrong way, followed by flashing lights, designed to catch their attention and get them to turn around. An alert is also sent to the nearest traffic management center so highway patrol can be dispatched and drivers in the area can be alerted. We look forward to seeing the impact of these new systems in Las Vegasand to fewer wrong-way drivers on our roads and in our inboxes. https://hubs.la/H0x4Ccc0