CALGARY – Green technology is not only saving energy – it could soon be saving lives.
The City of Calgary is looking at installing solar pedestrian warning lights at intersections that badly need crosswalks.
An intersection at Douglasdale Boulevard and Douglas Park Boulevard could become one of the first test sites.
The president of the Douglasdale Glen Community Association, Shifra Di Battista, says there have been too many close calls at the intersection and it’s simply an accident waiting to happen.
Ideally, the community would like four-way stop signs installed but the intersection doesn’t qualify under city rules.
However, it may be a perfect site to test the new solar powered system, already in use in Airdrie.
“They are solar powered flashing pedestrian lights and they act exactly the same as the traditional model,” says Shane Keating, Ward 12 Councillor.
They are also less expensive.
Di Battista says the community association is eager to try them out.
“They would definitely work. They would grab people’s attention and kids would have to learn to use the button.”
If the city doesn’t decide to go ahead with the solar powered lights, the association could spend up to $100,000 on a more traditional pedestrian crossing system.
Councillors say funding for the project could come from the city’s innovation fund.
Council will consider the proposal as early as next month.
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