Campus moves from test site to 'bright' sight with crossing signs

A few years ago, Cornell was chosen by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) as one of a handful of sites across the state to test new, fluorescent-green pedestrian crossing signs. The testing phase, along East Avenue, is over, and the signs have been declared a success.

The Cornell site, analyzed by NYSDOT, demonstrated slower traffic speeds through pedestrian crossing areas. Motorists more consistently yielded to pedestrians with the new signs in place.

The older style pedestrian crossing signs remaining on East Avenue now are being changed to the new design, as will those along West Avenue and on Hoy, Campus and Tower roads. Mike Lummuka, manager of parking support services for Transportation Services, expects that "along these corridors, we'll see lower vehicle speeds and a decrease in car-pedestrian accidents."

Members of the Cyclist, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee agree. The committee's membership -- which includes representatives from the offices of Transportation Services; Health Services; Environmental Health and Safety; the Judicial Administrator; Planning, Design and Construction; Cornell Police; and representatives from the Cornell community -- saw a sample of the sign at its meeting recently. According to the committee's chair, Lois Chaplin, extension associate and bike-safety specialist, "the committee has enthusiastically endorsed the use of these new signs as a major improvement for pedestrian safety."

Addressing issues of "sign-clutter" and safety, sign maintenance mechanic Roy Dellow said, "These signs are visible from hundreds of feet away. This allows us to reduce the number of signs, comply with NYSDOT regulations and improve pedestrian safety, all at the same time." In all, there are nine fewer signs and posts along the affected roads.

"I'm proud of this innovative safety project," said Transportation Services Director Bill Wendt. "The community often thinks of our department solely as 'parking people.' But by incorporating cyclists into road renovations, protecting pedestrians in crosswalks, and constantly monitoring traffic flow and intersections, we're fulfilling a larger mission, one that we take very seriously."