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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />October 1, 2014 <br /> <br />CONTACT: Reed Dunbar, Associate Transportation Planner, 541-682-5727 <br />Katie Marwitz, Project Manager, 541-501-0380 <br /> <br />From Public Information Section, 541-682-5523 or 541-954-2938 <br /> <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> <br /> <br />Pedestrian-Activated Red Light Installed on 30 Avenue <br />th <br />A new traffic signal on 30 Avenue near University Street is designed to increase safety for the hundreds <br />th <br />of school children, transit users and others who cross the busy street every day. <br />The pedestrian-activated signal is the first of its kind in Eugene, although Springfield has had several in <br />operation – on Gateway Street and on Harlow Road – for several years. The signal has several phases for <br />people who are driving on 30 Avenue: <br />th <br /> <br />When not activated, the signal is dark and motorists and bicyclists should proceed with caution. <br /> <br /> <br />When first activated, the signal flashes yellow, which means slow down and prepare to stop. <br /> <br /> <br />A solid yellow means the signal is about to turn red, and drivers must stop if it is safe to do so. <br /> <br /> <br />Solid red means stop. <br /> <br /> <br />When the signal is flashing red, drivers may proceed when the crosswalk is clear and it is safe to do <br /> <br />so. <br /> <br />After the cycle is complete, the signal returns to its “dark” mode, and drivers may proceed with <br /> <br />caution. <br />When pedestrians approach the signal, they hear instructions that tell them to not walk and to push the <br />button to activate the signal. When the signal is in the red mode, pedestrians are instructed to walk when <br />motor vehicles have stopped. The signal includes a countdown timer that tells pedestrians how long they <br />have to continue crossing. <br />While the pedestrian-activated red light helps improve safety, real safety can only be achieved if people <br />who are driving and those who are walking understand how the signal works, obey the signal, and watch out <br />for each other. Drivers and pedestrians who fail to obey signal commit a Class D traffic violation. <br />Parents of students who attend Camas Ridge Elementary School championed the need for a signal on 30 <br />th <br />Avenue. Approximately 16,000 vehicles per day travel on that section of 30 Avenue. The posted speed is 35 <br />th <br />mph, but traffic studies show that vehicles often travel over 40 mph <br />The cost to install the pedestrian-activated red light and make other crossing improvements is <br />approximately $150,000. The primary source of funding is the voter-approved 2012 bond measure to fix <br />streets and make improvements for people who walk and cycle. <br />For more information about the pedestrian-activated red light and other traffic safety devices, go to <br />www.eugene-or.gov/trafficsafety. <br /># # # <br /> <br />Public Works Administration ● City of Eugene ● 101 E. Broadway, Suite 400, Eugene, OR 97401 <br />Phone 541-682-8421 ● Fax 541-682-6826 ● www.eugene-or.gov/pw <br />