Friday, February 29, 2008

dropping speed

Cootes speed drop having no effect

Drivers continue to ignore the law

Craig Campbell
Published on Feb 29, 2008

Speeding is still a problem on Cootes Drive, according to a study completed by the City of Hamilton.

In fact, lowering the speed limit from 60 km-h to 40 km-h on a section of Cootes surrounding a pedestrian controlled stop light, has had no real effect on the excess rate of speed travelled by drivers.

Hart Solomon, the city's manager of traffic engineering and operations said two studies have shown virtually no change in average speeds since the drop.

And while the McMaster-based Transportation for Liveable Communities isn't in favour of the speed increase being considered by the city, TLC representative Randy Kay said the group could possibly compromise at a rate of 50 km/h, as long as the city implements other traffic calming measures originally recommended in the consultant's report that suggested the pedestrian-controlled crossing.

Not addressed

"We still see speeding as a problem," Mr. Kay said. "The original problem hasn't been addressed."

He said more than just speed limit signs are needed on the stretch of road where a 19-year-old McMaster University student was struck and killed by a vehicle while using the pedestrian controlled crossing two years ago.

A 2004 Synectics Transportation Consultants Inc. report found speeding created a safety problem for pedestrians.

Synectics not only recommended a mid-block pedestrian-controlled traffic light crossing, but also lane narrowing, increased police speed enforcement, changing the roadside environment to discourage speeding, a McMaster student targeted education and enforcement campaign, and prevention of pedestrians crossing Cootes at locations other than the controlled crossing.

"I don't know why the city refused to do that," Mr. Kay said of the other Synetics recommendations. "It's dangerous to put the crossing in without those."

Thursday, February 14, 2008

taking transportation to the coffee shop

Sustainable Transportation Meeting

TimeBegins at February 26th 18:15 PM
Location My Dog Joe (1020 King Street West, Westdale)
OrganizersTransportation for Liveable Communities
Posted bytransportation

Come by and help the TLC volunteers organize and take action on a multitude of local transportation issues - if you are a walker, roller, cyclist, transit-taker, car-pooler, then you have something to contribute. TLC is action oriented, so we need your skills to do research, write reports, make presentations, lobby, and organize street theatre, and much more.
We will be meeting at the independently owned, fair trade and organic cafe in Westdale - My Dog Joe (1020 King Street West, Westdale) at 6:15pm sharp. TLC will pick up the tab for a hot drink for any volunteers attending.

Check us out on the web at tlchamilton.org or contact 905-525-9140 ext. 26026.
Join our listserve at http://mailman.mcmaster.ca/mailman/listinfo/g-tlcx or e-mail tlchamilton@gmail.com

Monday, February 04, 2008

moving movie

A link to a short film about Bus Rapid Transit in Bogota Colombia that has generated much discussion on the www.streetsblog.org web site about the debate between Light Rail and BRT (with a NYC focus).

Gil Penalosa, who is featured in the film, is speaking in Hamilton on Monday, February 25, 7 pm at the Convention Centre downtown. It's free, too.

Check the movie out and consider the arguments and ideas put forward in the discussion, and how they may relate to Hamilton. Bus Rapid Transit is on the agenda in the city, and a grassroots group has formed to push for LRT.

Be sure to check out Penalosa on the 25th, and certainly get involved with TLC/Hamilton Transit Users Group/Hamilton Light Rail (links on the sidebar) to create a better and more sustainable transportation system in Hamilton.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

drafting students

The 2008 Upwind Downwind Conference: Climate Change & Healthy Cities will be held on February 25th & 26th, 2008 at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ontario. The two day conference will focus on Air Quality and Climate Change and the linkages with public health, planning and action.

OPIRG's TRANSPORTATION FOR LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES will support a limited number of McMaster students interested in attending the conference by paying the student fee to attend ($30) - please contact Randy at randy(at)opirg(dot)ca or 905-525-9140 ext. 26026 to find out more. TLC is an all volunteer working group of OPIRG McMaster working on issues of sustainable transportation.Visit us on the web at tlchamilton.org