Here is a copy of the most recent emails I received from the city and the school trustee as well as my emailed response: 

“Hi Elaine & Mark,

Thank you both for your most recent emails below. 

Albion’s school principal has been in touch with the RCMP/Bylaws etc.  (they actually called during our last PAC meeting. Unfortunately we were met with less than satisfactory responses. There are allegedly only 2 traffic police officers in Maple Ridge. Our principal has repeatedly asked the police department to come down to our intersection during before and after school rush to see what we are dealing with (speeding) driving through the crosswalk while children are actively crossing, etc. Our principal has even offered them to do their paperwork in our parking lot. Visit with the kids etc. but we haven’t gotten much support thus far. 

When I reviewed the TAC guidelines in 2018 when they were last revised there were specific numbers and stats available. I no longer have a copy of the updated TAC though, Mark can you send me a copy? 

One suggestion we had for the city/ or police, in addition to the intersection upgrade was also to put one of those flashing signs that tells drivers how fast they are going in the school zone or maybe even speed bumps and other traffic calming measures. It seems most drivers don’t notice/ or don’t care that they are in a school zone. 

Many of the issues we are facing regarding pedestrian safety would be much improved with upgrades to this intersection with the following parameters: 
1) A full 4 way controlled intersection 
2) Vehicle sensors on Hill Avenue and the exit of the school parking lot that will activate the new lights when the traffic is getting backed up for turning left or right onto 240th street
3) A delay on the green light for vehicles turning left and right on 240th streetuntil pedestrians have finished crossing 240th street in the cross walk
4) A no turning on a red light sign for both left and right turns in all directions 
5) A pedestrian crossing light for pedestrians crossing Hill Avenue and The School parallel to 240th street. (Currently there is a crosswalk but no light telling the children when it is safe to cross) 
6) A crosswalk on the south side of Hill Avenue crossing 240th street. 
7) Removal of 2-3 street parking spots on 240th street on either side of the crosswalk to increase visibility for vehicles attempting to turn left or right onto 240th street. 
8) No parking signs on Hill Avenue from the alley down to the stop sign at 240th street to increase visibility of students approaching the crosswalk 
9) A crossing guard

 

As you can see Mark, the issues we as a community are facing at the intersection of Hill Avenue and 240th street are solved by the appropriate traffic lights, sensors, and signage as detailed above. The police have not been of much help and until an upgrade is done to this intersection the city is continuing to allow a dangerous school crossing intersection. This is an accident waiting to happen where there have been so many near misses and blatant disregard for the safety of elementary school children. I urge you to please move quickly on this matter before it’s too late and a child is seriously injured or worse! 

Sincerely,
Christina Holland
Owner/ CEO Pixie’s Assistants
604-710-9160
cholland@pixiesbcca.com
www.pixiesbcca.com 

On Apr 6, 2023, at 4:24 PM, Elaine Yamamoto <Elaine_Yamamoto@sd42.ca> wrote:

My apologies everyone, and especially Christina.

I have just discovered this email in my drafts dating back to March Break.

It does not appear to have been sent. Apologies if I am repeating this response.

 

Warm regards,

  Elaine Yamamoto

 

*******************

Hello Christina,

 

Thank you for your email including your email correspondence with Mark Halpin.

I know from the one Transportation Advisory Committee meeting I have had the opportunity to join, that the City takes road safety around schools very seriously.

 

It looks like the City has agreed to advance their planned assessment of the intersection to 2023 and will place a request for RCMP enforcement as their priorities permit.

 

Trustee Liosis and I have also been in touch with Superintendent Harry Dhillon who will follow up with the principal and suggest that she too follow up with RCMP/Bylaws for further enforcement.

 

 

Warm regards,

 

Elaine Yamamoto

Board Chair

School District No. 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows

22225 Brown Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 8N6

District Education Office number 604-463-4200

 

 

 

 Hi Christina,
 

We have not determined the timeline for the traffic signal warrant assessment. The criteria for assessment is outlined in the Canadian Traffic Warrant Matrix Procedure of Transportation of Canada 2014 (TAC). This traffic Signal and Pedestrian Signal Head Warrant Handbook outlines an intensive data collection program that assesses vehicle movements, pedestrian crossings, demographics, number of travel lanes, roadway characteristics and others that comprise a total of 14 factors that are then put forth in a warrant factor equation.

 

This formula and data collection method is used across to ensure consistent use of traffic control devices regardless of location (in Canada). In order to ensure the City of Maple Ridge is following established practices outlined by TAC, we utilize a transportation engineering consultant specialized in this work. I know this is not the simple answer you were hoping but I hope you can understand that we take multiple factors into consideration to assess and prioritize locations across Maple Ridge to strategically implement improvements that provide best value to the City.

 

When the 2019 study for this location was completed, the warrant criteria for a “full traffic signal” was well below the required threshold.

 

While we plan to conduct a further assessment to determine if a full traffic signal is warranted at this location, the concerns noted in your email seem primarily based on driver behaviour that is not in compliance with the Motor Vehicle Act. It is unlikely that a full traffic signal will address these elements of human behaviour. To help address your concern, I will forward a request to the RCMP to enforce as their priorities permit.

 

Thank you,

 

Mark Halpin BA, PMP
Manager of Transportation

 

City of Maple Ridge

11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC  V2X 6A9

Tel: 604-467-7450  Fax: 604-467-7425

Web   Open Government Portal”