New crosswalk lights near Brandon University improve pedestrian safety at 18th and Lorne

It’s easy to see how much safer things are for people walking to and from Brandon University, thanks to new crosswalk lights installed on 18^th Street at Lorne Avenue.

This enhancement significantly improves pedestrian safety at one of Brandon’s busiest crossings with the installation of three sets of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs). The pedestrian-activated, LED-based warning devices are positioned closer to the ground, ensuring greater visibility within the driver’s line of sight.

Until now, this crossing was marked only by pedestrian signage and did not feature any crosswalk lighting, making visibility and safety concerns more pronounced.

“This is one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city, and this area has long been recognized as a high-risk crossing due to traffic volumes and pedestrian use,” said Al Trotz, Health and Safety Advisor at Brandon University. “These improvements will make a meaningful difference in visibility and driver awareness, and ultimately help prevent serious incidents.”

The new lights are the result of a collaborative effort between Brandon University, the City of Brandon, and Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, reflecting a shared commitment to improving safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.

“The installation of the RRFB crosswalk lights on 18^th Street at Lorne Avenue is an important step in our ongoing commitment to road safety and Vision Zero for Brandon,” said Sam van Huizen, City of Brandon Traffic and Transportation Planner. “We appreciate the efforts of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure for installing the RRFBs, and the active involvement of Brandon University’s students, staff, and faculty, which enabled us to address longstanding safety concerns and bring this project to completion.”

“We were pleased to work with Brandon University and the City of Brandon to improve pedestrian safety near campus,” said Lisa Naylor, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “The new crosswalk lights are part of the province’s $10 million investment to upgrade 18th Street (PTH 10). They improve visibility, give drivers more time to react and make it safer for students, staff and residents to move through the area.”

Brandon police agreed that the new lights were a worthwhile enhancement at a risky location.

“The Brandon Police Service welcomes the installation of a controlled crosswalk at 18th Street and Lorne Avenue, as it represents an important step in improving pedestrian and traffic safety in a high-risk area,” said BPS Inspector Jason Dupuis. “Measures like this help reduce close calls and collisions, and we commend Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure and our community partners for taking action.”

While the lights don’t change anything from a legal perspective, as pedestrians already have the right of way at nearly every intersection in the city, the new visibility is already making a difference, say people who use the crossing.

“Walking across 18^th Street has sometimes been the most dangerous part of my day. It’s frustrating when drivers, especially in the second lane, don’t see me and just don’t stop,” said Grant Hamilton, BU’s Director of Marketing and Communications as well as a member of the city’s Vision Zero committee. “The new lights are bright and highly visible, and it’s clear that drivers are taking the crosswalk more seriously.

“Even better, the lights can be activated with just a wave of my hand — great on cold winter days when thick mitts make it challenging to push the tiny buttons found at older crosswalks.”

The new crosswalk lights build on a series of recent pedestrian-focused safety improvements in and around the Brandon University campus, including:

• A reduced-speed zone around campus, lowering vehicle speeds to 30 km/h.
• New curb bump-outs and a controlled crosswalk across Louise Avenue by the Brodie Building.
• A first-in-the-city visual intersection treatment at 20th Street and Louise Avenue by the Healthy Living Centre, featuring a large painted BU Bobcats logo designed to increase driver attention and slow traffic.

Recently, the University has also deployed the BU READY safety app, which has given better visibility into safety and security risks. The app, which makes it easy to report incidents and near-misses, highlighted the risks to pedestrians crossing 18^th Street, especially at Lorne Avenue, and underscored the need for the new lights.

Now, the University and the City are exploring even more pedestrian safety enhancements in the campus district.

With most parking areas located around the perimeter of campus and academic buildings clustered at its centre, students, faculty, staff, and visitors — including many drivers — regularly cross busy streets multiple times a day. This summer, it is hoped that new crossing enhancements will be created along 20^th Street and at the intersection of 20^th Street and Princess Avenue.

“Safety is a shared priority for both Brandon University and the City of Brandon and it’s best when we can work together on initiatives like these,” Trotz said. “Even better, we believe there are ways for safety features to also help beautify campus, for example by strategically using planters. Watch for that this spring and summer!”

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