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Flashers dismounted from plans at crossing
(by Sue Reid - July 18, 2012)
Flashers dismounted from plans at crossing
By SUE REID
Following debate and discussion over the past year on the need for improvements at the horse crossing at SOM Center Road (Route 91) and Hawthorn Parkway in Solon, a recommendation was reached last week by City Council's safety and public properties committee.
It was a surprising one, horse rider and Solon resident Tess McCarihan said.
The committee approved a recommendation to combine the two crossings on SOM Center Road north of Hawthorn Parkway not to install flashing lights.
It followed a recommendation by Solon traffic engineer Kevin Westbrooks. After further consideration, he said, while he still believes that the two crossings should be consolidated to one location, he could not recommend the installation of flashers.
"Essentially, I am worried that the flasher will not be used properly, and this could be causing a more dangerous situation than what we are experiencing today," Mr. Westbrooks said.
"I don't understand why we are not getting overhead flashers," Ms. McCarihan said to the committee. "This comes as a surprise to me."
In addition, she asked, "Why combine the trails? It will cause bigger problems."
Mr. Westbrooks said that combining the horse trail and pedestrian trail limits the number of conflict points there. "There's less going on for drivers," he said.
Solon Police Chief Christopher P. Viland said he agrees with that assessment. Reducing the points of conflict statistically reduce the possibilities of accidents, he said. "Anything we can do to improve safety, I am in support of that."
"This needs more dialogue," Ms. McCarihan said, "especially now if they are going to merge those two trails."
Combining the crossings has been the plan all along, Councilman William I. Russo said, and it's supported by the Cleveland Metroparks, which owns and maintains the two trails.
In looking at Mr. Westbrooks' memo, Mr. Russo said, "putting those flashers up would not change anything going on there. Why would anyone spend that kind of money if nothing changes?
"I would be concerned it would be unsafe that people would have false sense of security," he said.
"There's no crosswalk to disperse people at different times," Ms. McCarihan said. "There will be a bunching up of horse riders, dog walkers, baby buggies and walkers." She said it often takes two to three minutes to cross the road at busy times.
"If you are merging all of those, you are asking for something potentially dangerous," she said. "It is going to really complicate things if they merge those two trails together."
It's not easy to control the horses all the time, she said.
Mr. Westbrooks said two matters of concern with the proposal for the flashers is that much of the crossing issue deals with driver inattention and lack of courtesy, and they could provide a false sense of security.
"Neither issue is addressed with this system," he said. "This system also does not force drivers to stop, because it is only a yellow flasher. In the case of a horse, the car has the right of way, since and horse and rider are considered vehicles, not pedestrians."
In addition, Mr. Westbrooks said, "I am concerned that people using the crossing are going to feel protected when they use the button, when, in fact, they are not.
"I don't think there is an engineering solution that can be effective without causing additional concerns."
Mr. Westbrooks is to meet with Cleveland Metroparks officials to determine if they are still in agreement with the recommendation to combine the crossing.
Mayor Susan A. Drucker said the city also will determine if the park system will continue its cooperation and financial contribution to the crossing project.
"At this point, it should be minimal cost to get this done," Mr. Russo said.
Cost estimates for improvements, including the flashers, totaled about $40,000, and the Metroparks had committed up to $20,000.
"I supported the flashers, but we have to look at the situation and rely on Kevin Westbrooks and the chief and continue to monitor the situation there and continue to provide input to the administration," Councilman Edward H. Kraus said.
Ms. McCarihan said, if flashers are not going to be installed, she is in favor of just leaving the crossing as it is. "At least the two groups are not converging with the other," she said.
A 28-year Solon resident who has been riding her horse in the area for the past decade, as well as walking and bicycling in the area, she said, "It's going to really complicate things if they merge those two trails together."
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