Chilliwack School Zone and Playground Zone Reflective Panels

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

In this article written for TAC News, Samantha Piper, Public Safety Specialist, Safer City Coordinator, Engineering Department, City of Chilliwack, writes about the installation of reflective road panels in school and playground zones to improve road safety. Prepared on behalf of TAC’s Small Municipalities Task Force, this article is part of a series of feature articles on the issues and challenges affecting smaller communities.

The City of Chilliwack has recently completed phase one of a project to reduce speed limits in school and playground zones by installing reflective road panels. 

The project saw the installation of 33 school and playground zones across the community.  This first phase of the project was accomplished with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)’s Cost Share Program funding and the City budget.  A total of 96 panels across the 33 locations enhance specific signs and remind drivers to adhere to zone restrictions. 

Three styles of reflective road panels were installed:

  • “School Zone” fluorescent yellow-green reflective panel –  installed in school zones that have regulatory tabs advising motorists that the speed limit is reduced to 30 km/h from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days.
  • “School Warning” fluorescent yellow-green reflective panel – indicates that there is a school nearby and school children may be present near or on the roadway. 
  • “Playground Zone” fluorescent yellow reflective panel – installed in some playground zones that have a reduced speed limit of 30 km/h which is in effect from dawn to dusk seven days a week. 

Safer City Joint Program

Safer City, a joint program between the City of Chilliwack, the Chilliwack RCMP, ICBC and Speed Watch, will monitor the project to determine restrictions and successes for future installation phases within this new local standard of sign enhancement.  Safer City aims to improve road safety for all road users by developing road safety projects and programs. The program strives to combine all enforcement measures with education campaigns and engineering designs.    

Public feedback received on the project so far has been extremely positive.

For additional information, please visit the City of Chilliwack website or contact Samantha Piper, Public Safety Specialist, Safer City Coordinator, Engineering Department, City of Chilliwack. 

 

 


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