The idea was met with skepticism when first floated three years ago, but the installation of Yield signs where Stop signs once stood has landed Beaconsfield on the short list for an award.
The Yield signs project is vying for a Prix Sécurité routière from the Association québécoise du transport et des routes.
Prizes in 10 categories will be handed out during the Grand prix d’excellence en transport gala at the Montreal Science Centre on Wednesday, June 18.
Following a study into Beaconsfield’s signage and traffic flow in 2011, a 2012 pilot project was introduced to replace seven Stop signs with Yield signs at T-intersections in Beaconsfield with low-volume traffic.
Seven more Yield signs were installed in 2013.
Not everybody was happy with the new signage. Some parents with young children voiced concern, saying the change would encourage, not discourage, speeding.
A study published by the city in 2013 showed that drivers did reduce their speed on the streets with the new signage.
The report read, “This difference can be explained by the fact that a driver facing a situation in which there is a certain degree of uncertainty, will tend to be more cautious and, therefore, drive more slowly.”
The Beaconsfield study results aligned with other North American studies of a similar nature.
The goal is to eventually replace Stop signs with Yield signs at 73 of the city’s total of 490 intersections.
kgreenaway@montealgazette.com
