Dublin testing new strategy to improve pedestrian safety

DUBLIN, Ohio ( WCMH ) – A new pedestrian safety strategy, which involves more colorful intersections and flower boxes, is hitting the pavement in Dublin.

The additions were just made to the intersection of Avery Road and Jacana Drive by Avery Park this week. The white lines on three sides of the intersection have been moved farther into the road, and the additional space created by the move has been filled with giant colorful stickers. Those changes, combined with new flower boxes, are meant to make drivers slow down.

“The idea is that by extending the white edge line into the actual traveled way, we reduce the pavement width which then has the effect of slowing down traffic speeds and making it safer for folks to cross,” Jeannie Willis, Dublin’s Director of Transportation and Mobility, said.

The strategy is currently in the pilot phase. Two other locations in town will also be tested.

“It’s basically we’ve moved the curb out without moving the curb, which is the power of an installation like this,” Willis said.

Moving curbs for a similar safety purpose would cost around $100 thousand dollars, according to Willis. She said each intersection for the pilot costs between $6 and $10 thousand dollars. Deputy Chief Nick Tabernik with Dublin Police described it as a creative approach.

“From a police department standpoint, there’s 25 square miles in this city,” he said. “So although we would like to have an officer everywhere, that’s just not feasible. So we have to use different technologies, different innovative approaches to try to address safety concerns.”

NBC4 spoke with a few residents who live near the intersection of Avery Road and Jacana Drive. One said she’s unsure if this speed management program will work. Two others said they are hopeful.

“I’m curious how it’ll work but I mean I’m happy,” Desiree Cortelezzi said. “My son plays soccer so we’re crossing the street all the time, I’m out here with (my daughter) all the time so we’re definitely happy about it,”

The plan is for the two other pilot locations to be completed within the next month, according to Willis. Those will be at Tulleymore Drive at Shanagan Street and Sells Mill Drive and Earlington.

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