Safety at Rapibus Intersections - The STO Is Increasing Its Efforts
Published : 10-02-2014
Together with its partners – the City of Gatineau and the Gatineau police force – the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) is ramping up its efforts to promote compliance with traffic signals at Rapibus corridor intersections.
To this end, the STO today announced the measures that would be introduced to optimize safety for everyone at Rapibus intersections. This initiative is part of an action plan resulting from detailed analyses of each of the Rapibus intersections and the behaviour of road users along the corridor.
Moreover, as part of a concerted approach with key road safety authorities, adjustments will also be introduced over the next few weeks. An external committee made up of representatives from the police service, SAAQ and Gatineau's engineering service was formed last May to oversee the process, analyse the situations presenting a potential risk and adopt the necessary measures.
Discussion groups were also organized with motorists, divided into a group of drivers who regularly used Rapibus intersections and a group who were unfamiliar with them. Action Vélo Outaouais was also consulted regarding safety for cyclists.
"Even though the traffic signals and measures that were introduced when the Rapibus service started comply with standards, we were not able to avoid some unfortunate accidents. It is therefore necessary to take action to increase safety at Rapibus corridor intersections. This continues to be a priority for us," stated STO Chairman Gilles Carpentier. "Following up on the work done by the road safety experts and the discussion groups, measures aimed at increasing everyone's safety along the corridor are being implemented and others will be added shortly," he continued.
As a result, in the short term, adjustments to clarify the messages conveyed by the traffic signs will be added to the standards already in place. Changes related to the position of traffic lights, the location of signs prohibiting right turns on red lights, and road markings in a prominent colour are planned.
Note that each of the changes to be made at the Rapibus corridor intersections has been approved by Gatineau's traffic and signage experts.
To ensure wide distribution of the awareness video on social media, the STO will be able to count on the support of the Gatineau police service and the city.
Safety for everyone is a priority for the Société de transport de l'Outaouais, the City of Gatineau and the Gatineau police service.
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In French version only.
