The Las Vegas Traffic and Parking Commission on Thursday approved proposals to install speed cushions on streets adjacent to 16 elementary and middle school campuses within city limits. The proposals now require approval from the Las Vegas City Council before implementation can begin this summer.
Schools slated for the traffic-calming measures include Becker, Bell, Richard Bryan, Christensen, Edwards, Escobedo, Fong, Garehime, Hancock, Jacobson, Lummis, Martin, Neal, Sunrise Acres, Vassiliadis and Variety School. A similar proposal for streets near The Adelson School was tabled after neighboring residents objected.
City traffic engineer Ravi Seera said speed cushions, which are longer than speed bumps and suited for busier roadways, can reduce speeding by 20 to 25 percent. "Our focus currently is in school zones, where we are seeing a higher amount of students either getting hit or injured just out of school," Seera said.
Clark County School District Police data shows vehicles have struck 170 children countywide, including 56 in Las Vegas, since the school year began Aug. 10. The speed cushions are part of a $900,000 safety project funded mostly by a federal grant, with $45,000 from the city, and align with the Vision Zero Action Plan targeting zero roadway fatalities by 2050.
Seera called the proposals the "first batch" of improvements, noting the city is also considering pedestrian crossing flasher beacons, curb extensions and speed-display signs near schools. "These are proven countermeasures," Seera said. "Any collision that we can prevent is working towards the goal of having no collisions or fatalities on our roadways."
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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