Thank you for reporting. This issue has been assigned to the Transportation Engineer for further investigation.

The traffic in that area is already a major issue. I think a traffic light there would pose more of a problem than solve it.

There should be constant education and posted signs as to pedestrian and driver responsibility. The increase in the number of college students must be addressed by both the university and the city.

I'm not sure that the increase in the number of students is not being addressed.

In any case, signs are a good idea if traffic lights aren't possible. Stop signs for traffic on Aiken is one idea (they're already there for traffic on Perkins). Yield to Pedestrian signs might be good, too. Anything that lets motorists know that this is a major pedestrian crossing point.

I will take a look at the situation and assess our options. Is there any particular time of day when it is at its worst?

Eric, usually it's rush hours, a.m. and p.m..

I've attached a photo taken at about 4:50 today. It shows a typical situation with people in the street.

Just curious if anybody has checked this out yet. I cross Aiken St. daily. Pedestrians and motorists alike seem confused about who can proceed since there are no stop signs or yield to pedestrian signs on Aiken St. Motorists are often polite, allowing pedestrians to cross. Some are less polite in the face of more aggressive pedestrians, and end up stopping, but only mid-intersection. Sometimes motorists honk their horns at cars who stop for pedestrians. You get the pictures.

I checked out the traffic and pedestrian operations at this intersection last week during the peak afternoon period of 4:30 to 5:00. Pedestrians were using the marked crosswalks and traffic was generally yielding to them, as they should, in part because outbound traffic was queued up back to Fr. Morrissette as often happens during the afternoon, and vehicles had no way to move. A traffic signal would not provide a significant benefit as it would not solve the problem of the intersection being blocked by cars waiting to get over the bridge. Pedestrians stepping out between stopped cars are not always seen by inbound motorists on Aiken. Signs would be the best option for alerting drivers to the presence of the pedestrian crossing. I will work with the city sign shop and UML to get signs installed, either in the street or on the sidewalk.

Eric, that makes lots of sense - thanks. Just wondering if you're talking about stop signs or "yield to pedestrian signs." In any case, thanks.

I am thinking of the in-street Yield To Pedestrian signs, or the diamond shaped warning signs on the side of the road with the pedestrian figure. Stop signs are not appropriate on Aiken, as all-way stops are not warranted unless traffic volumes are fairly equal on both intersecting streets. Aiken carries much more traffic than Perkins.

That sounds great. I really appreciate it and look forward to it!
Thanks again, Eric.

The solution of putting up "Yield to Pedestrian" signs seems very appropriate for this area. Though I have to add that it seems rather logical that their would be pedestrians around a college.

I believe drivers are lacking the proper driving skills. Reminders are a good thing.

Eric, I'm just following up on this to see if the in-street Yield To Pedestrian signs are going to be put here, and if so, when. I was reminded this morning during a steady stream of traffic, none of which seemed to want to stop for the pedestrians waiting patiently to cross.

Thanks