Spring Break
City takes no action on Main Street
Common Council votes to postpone discussions, decision
Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: News
The Whitewater Common Council took no action for additional safety measures at the Whiton and Main intersection Tuesday.
After the issue was debated at length, the majority voted to postpone a decision until the Oct. 21 meeting. Only President Patrick Singer and Councilmember Jim Stewart voted in favor of resolving the issue.
"We don't want to experiment with safety," Stewart said after the council tried to acquire the city to study research on a HAWK Pedestrian signal light that has only been experimented with in Arizona.
The original recommendation given by City Manager City Brunner, Whitewater Police Chief James Coan, Chancellor Richard Telfer was voted down. It consisted of a stoplight on the corner of Whiton and Main streets, a pedestrian barrier to be installed along the sidewalk near campus, and driveways on the Southside of the street to be closed in attempts to prevent jaywalking.
"I have to say I'm a little disappointed by the recommendation," Councilmember Roy Nosek said. "It's the most obtrusive and costly option that was presented to us at the [previous] meeting."
The council wanted the city to research HAWK pedestrian light, which would allow pedestrians to control traffic and force cars to stop when a student is crossing, which would substitute the stoplight.
Luke Holman, engineer from Strand Associates, said the HAWK system would likely take until 2010 to be installed. It is only in experimental stages in Arizona and grants are not available for others until current systems are reviewed after a year.
Councilmember Lynn Binnie said he's been talking with officials and universities in Arizona to gain an understanding of the advanced pedestrian signals.
"There have been no pedestrian accidents at all 100 sites where they've been installed," Binnie said. "There seems to be a greater acceptance and it would greatly enhance pedestrian safety."
The HAWK system could cost from approximately $65,000 to $100,000 while a regular stoplight costs $100,00 to $150,000.
Currently, the city has ordered additional signage to put up at the intersection while a final decision is made.
"We've already ordered yield-to-pedestrian signs that will be at the driver's level, and the sides of Main Street," Brunner said. "We also added additional buttons so the overhead signs will be lit so they will be pedestrian activated … both should be put up fairly soon."
After the issue was debated at length, the majority voted to postpone a decision until the Oct. 21 meeting. Only President Patrick Singer and Councilmember Jim Stewart voted in favor of resolving the issue.
"We don't want to experiment with safety," Stewart said after the council tried to acquire the city to study research on a HAWK Pedestrian signal light that has only been experimented with in Arizona.
The original recommendation given by City Manager City Brunner, Whitewater Police Chief James Coan, Chancellor Richard Telfer was voted down. It consisted of a stoplight on the corner of Whiton and Main streets, a pedestrian barrier to be installed along the sidewalk near campus, and driveways on the Southside of the street to be closed in attempts to prevent jaywalking.
"I have to say I'm a little disappointed by the recommendation," Councilmember Roy Nosek said. "It's the most obtrusive and costly option that was presented to us at the [previous] meeting."
The council wanted the city to research HAWK pedestrian light, which would allow pedestrians to control traffic and force cars to stop when a student is crossing, which would substitute the stoplight.
Luke Holman, engineer from Strand Associates, said the HAWK system would likely take until 2010 to be installed. It is only in experimental stages in Arizona and grants are not available for others until current systems are reviewed after a year.
Councilmember Lynn Binnie said he's been talking with officials and universities in Arizona to gain an understanding of the advanced pedestrian signals.
"There have been no pedestrian accidents at all 100 sites where they've been installed," Binnie said. "There seems to be a greater acceptance and it would greatly enhance pedestrian safety."
The HAWK system could cost from approximately $65,000 to $100,000 while a regular stoplight costs $100,00 to $150,000.
Currently, the city has ordered additional signage to put up at the intersection while a final decision is made.
"We've already ordered yield-to-pedestrian signs that will be at the driver's level, and the sides of Main Street," Brunner said. "We also added additional buttons so the overhead signs will be lit so they will be pedestrian activated … both should be put up fairly soon."
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