DOTI Installs New “Slow Zone” near University of Denver
DOTI Installs New “Slow Zone” near University of Denver
City Pilots Treatments Aimed at Slowing Drivers Down
DENVER – Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has installed a new “slow zone” along East Evans Avenue in an effort to slow drivers down in an area where University of Denver (DU) students and staff regularly cross to access the north and south sides of campus. As partners on the project, DOTI and DU set out to innovate and pilot treatments never before seen together on Denver streets. The idea of establishing the DU-area slow zone on Evans followed a crash in April where three students were injured at a signalized pedestrian crossing just east of High Street and sun glare was a factor.
“We’re excited to partner with DOTI on these technologies and are pleased at the speed at which we were able to work together to implement a series of safety treatments that we hope will raise awareness of students and staff crossing in this area and prevent future crashes from occurring,” said Julia Richman, Senior Vice Chancellor of Operations and Strategy at the University of Denver.
As part of this effort to slow drivers and draw attention to pedestrian activity on the corridor, DOTI has lowered the speed limit in the slow zone on Evans Avenue between University Boulevard and High Street from 30 to 25 mph – a stretch that is about one-third of a mile long - piloting new treatments together that include rumble strips on the edges of the slow zone, as well as new “Slow Zone” signage and speed limit markings on the pavement to increase awareness of the slower roadway section (click here for photos/videos). DOTI will study and compare driving speeds during the summer months and in the fall when school is back in session to see if the new treatments have proven effective in reducing speeds at this location.
“DOTI is committed to accelerating its efforts on every front possible to prevent fatal and serious injury crashes and provide greater protections in places where higher numbers of pedestrians are at risk,” said Amy Ford, Executive Director of DOTI.
The work on Evans Avenue complements an ambitious plan that Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and DOTI Executive Director Amy Ford announced last month to reduce fatalities on city streets and deliver on the community’s vision established in Denver Moves Everyone 2050 to move everything safely, equitably and sustainably. That effort, known as SPEED, is focusing on implementing proven tactics over the next 18 months to slow speeds on Federal Boulevard and Alameda Avenue, while the work on Evans Avenue is testing the effectiveness of treatments that will be seen as new for drivers in Denver.
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