Speed tables, raised crosswalks designed to make roads safer

GAINESVILLE - Pedestrian crosswalks in Gainesville are taking on a new look in some places - part of an attempt to make them safer and also reduce speeding.

Gainesville Traffic Engineer Dee Taylor said raised crosswalks, such as the one that was recently installed on Dixon Drive, make it easier for people to cross the road.

"In addition it slows the vehicles down that are on that road, and that way we can have an effective traffic calming device that's pedestrian friendly as well," he said.

Some of the raised crosswalks are even equipped with flashing lights, like the one by the Gainesville High School rock and new ones on Enota Drive near the Sherwood Plaza shopping center. However, that won't be the norm around town because Taylor said those lights cost about $20,000 to install and maintain.

So who determines where to put speed tables and raised crosswalks? Taylor said they are installed as his department receives requests, or where they see speeding being a problem in a certain area.

"We'll either evaluate, or re-evaluate, as necessary those locations and see if the criteria is met for the installation of those devices," he said.

While speed tables and raised crosswalks have different names, they are essentially the same. They are the same height, and both are designed to reduce speeding. Where the two differ is on their edges.

"On a speed table you don't have the contoured edges that allow for the pedestrian to safely cross from one side of the road to the other," Taylor said.

On a raised crosswalk, Taylor said, the edges are contoured down to the curb itself. The curb is then cut away and there's a ramp that comes down from the sidewalk to that point where the raised crosswalk starts.

Taylor said his department is "constantly reviewing" areas throughout the city to both check on existing speed tables and to pinpoint possible locations for new ones.

He said they have to ensure that if one is requested in a specific area that it would be on a flat piece of roadway, "because you don't want to put one up on top of a hill or around a curve where it's not necessarily expected," he said.

Taylor added: "We're constantly evaluating the city and its needs."

So no matter where you may be driving around town, you're bound to notice one, or more, of the speed tables. Whether they are marked by flashing lights or neon signs, the message is the same: slow down, and help keep the roads safe.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/5/210416