The speed limit on Centre Avenue and First Avenue in Airdrie’s Old Town will remain at 50 kilometres per hour (km/hr) after Airdrie City council voted to accept a report presented by staff at the Feb. 2 council meeting which showed the average speed of drivers in those areas is less than the posted limit.
Director, Community Infrastructure Lorne Stevens presented data from studies completed in 2011 and 2013 that showed the average speed on a section of Centre Avenue, west of Edmonton Trail near Allen Street was 38.6 km/hr in 2011 and 40.0 km/hr in 2013. The monitoring was done for seven consecutive days, for 24-hours each day. The speed limit on that section of Centre Avenue is 50 km/hr meaning motorists were travelling under the limit, on average.
Another section of Centre Avenue east of Main Street near Bowers Street saw an average speed of 38.4 km/hr in both 2011 and 2013. The speed limit on this section of road is also 50 km/hr. Monitoring was also done on First Avenue west of Edmonton Trail near Allen Street where the speed limit is 50 km/hr, with the average recorded speed was 40.2 km/hr in 2011 and 40.6 km/hr in 2013.
“The city monitors many different locations around the community on many roadways, usually every second year, to determine any significant changes in traffic volumes,” Stevens said. “With the technology we can also monitor speeds as well. Our engineering services section shares that (information) with our Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) and Municipal Enforcement.”
Traffic volumes in the three monitored areas did not increase significantly from 2011 to 2013, according to Stevens. “There’s not a fundamental difference in the speed characteristics or the traffic volumes within those monitoring periods,” Stevens said.
“TAC did not feel there was a need to alter the speed limits in these areas and our intention is to keep them as they are currently.”
Mayor Peter Brown said he had received complaints from the residents of Diamond Jubilee Manor on Centre Avenue about difficulties they are having crossing at a marked crosswalk.
“I’m hearing about lots of close calls,” Brown said. “I get lots of calls from residents curious to know if the crosswalk could be lit up or make it more visible. I know they’re having trouble crossing the street. It is on a fairly significant incline. I wouldn’t mind if you looked into that a little more in-depth.”
Stevens said that the one monitoring station on Centre Avenue east of Main Street near Bowers Street included the crosswalk near Diamond Jubilee Manor.
“We have looked at whether or not additional improvements are required in (that area),” Stevens said. “I don’t believe we’ve specifically looked at lighting levels. We can certainly do that as a take away and consult with FortisAlberta.”
Council voted unanimously to accept the report presented for information.
