Wooster Street has long been a point of contention between pedestrians and motorists.
A five-year study by the LJB Inc. civil engineering firm indicated there were 17 pedestrian-motorist crashes between 2010 and 2014 in their study area surrounding the University campus. The study found 82 percent of crashes happened in broad daylight and 94 percent of crashes occurred during a weekday.
“Legal pedestrian crossings at controlled intersections alone may be insufficient in some locations,” the study noted. “Marked crosswalks at uncontrolled locations (intersections or mid-block) may be justified based on intersection spacing.”
Since the study was completed, four crossings have been built, but the crossings between the Stroh Center and Waffle House and between Founders Hall and University Parking Lot Q are not yet fully finished. That is because these crossings will soon be upgraded with Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons.
Rebecca Dangelo of the Ohio Department of Transportation said the pedestrian hybrid beacons will make things much safer. “From a safety standpoint, ODOT is pretty excited about this,” she said.
She also said funding for the beacons was provided by the ODOT central office safety group.
Unlike the current yield lights on North Mercer Road, which immediately flash when a button is pressed by a pedestrian, these lights are made with motorists in mind and more closely mimic a traditional stop light.
The lights are mounted over the road like normal traffic lights. When a pedestrian presses the button, traffic is not immediately stopped. A yellow light flashes and then becomes solid, much like a normal yellow light. After some time, a red light flashes and becomes solid red just like a normal stop light. At this point, pedestrians may cross, and they will have a countdown timer like at a normal intersection crosswalk.
This gives drivers clear instructions when to slow down and stop, and gives pedestrians clear instructions when to start crossing. Because they are located away from large intersections, the right of way is very clear.
“I think the additional crosswalks will be of tremendous benefit to those crossing Wooster Street,” Joe Fawcett, the Bowling Green assistant municipal administrator said.
These will be the second and third pedestrian hybrid beacons to be installed in the ODOT’s District 2, which encompasses much of northwest Ohio, including the city of Toledo. According to Dangelo, the first pedestrian hybrid beacon was installed in nearby Delta, Ohio.
