February 13, 2019
Contact: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt
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CITY ENHANCES HANORA LIPPITT AND WORLD WAR II VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS WITH FLASHING LIGHT PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNALS
WOONSOCKET, R.I.: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt is pleased to announce the recent installation of two flashing light pedestrian crossing signals to existing pedestrian crosswalks located in the front of
Hanora Lippitt Manor at 1 Main Street and the entrance to World War II Veterans Memorial Park on Social Street. The system is designed to provide a 96 percent driver compliance rate as compared to only 20 percent for a painted crosswalk alone, according to Carmanah Technologies which manufacturers the crossing signal units.
“Increasing the presence of these ultrasmart and safety-conscious crossing signals at marked crosswalks is an immediate and impactful public safety upgrade that benefits us all. I am proud to integrate this advanced technology into the City’s overall public safety plan,” said Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. “The initial units have a proven performance record that has served the City well since we first piloted them last winter.”
Each of the units utilizes a series of high intensity, rapidly flashing amber colored LED lights to alert motorists to the presence of a person located within a marked crosswalk. The flashing lights activate when a pedestrian pushes the unit’s metal button.
The two recently added signals bring the number presently in use citywide to four. Pilot units were first installed last winter at marked pedestrian crossings located at J. F. Kennedy Manor apartments on Clinton Street and in front of The Stadium Theatre on Main Street.
Designed with a solar panel, the cost-effective unit requires zero electricity to operate its lights. The City’s Highway Department installed the signals.
“Regardless of any safety mechanisms in place, it is extremely imperative for all pedestrians at all times to continue to remain highly alert, mindful of motorists and exercise extreme caution when crossing any road at any time of day,” said Michael Debroisse, Superintendent of Solid Waste/Engineering. “The method of look left, look right and look left again that we learned as children remains valid and still holds true today.”
Office of the Mayor
WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND
City Hall P.O. Box B Woonsocket, RI 02895
Telephone (401) 767-9205 Fax (401) 765-4569 E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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