No illusions: Summerside's new 3D crosswalks not popping out

Summersidework crews havepainted a few 3D crosswalks as part of a pilot project, but some city councillors are already questioning whether they will have the desired effect.

Three locations were chosen for the crosswalks and they've been painted on at two locations Carol Avenue and MacEwen Road, and Central Street and Maple Avenue.

Coun. Brian McFeely says one of those crosswalks was installed about three weeks ago and the other this past weekend and he hasn't noticed much of a difference.

"I think some of us would agree that they perhaps don't pop out like you would have thought from the pictures that we've seen before we entered the pilot," he said.

"As a driver coming upon them, you are almost on top of them before they kind of pop out at you," he said, adding he expected to see the pop-up effect whenapproaching.

In May, the city said the crosswalks would be painted for a three-dimensional effect, which it hopedwould catch drivers' attention and improve safety. Painting the 3D crosswalks costs about $250 to $300.

Coun. Barb Ramsay also said the 3D crosswalks are not what she expected.

"I don't know if there is something we can do with changing a bit of the colours to make it more of a three dimensional," she said. "I didn't find it very effective."

Ramsay said she was expectingto hear more from the community.

"Maybe we will get some more feedback on it because that is the whole idea right, it is more about what our residents are feeling and what is working for them."

Ramsay said ifthe crosswalks are found to be ineffective, the city will go in a different direction to create safer streets.

Like any pilot,McFeely said council will review the project at the end of the summer and see if it is something the city wants to continue.

In an email, the city's municipal services department said the "pop" effect should appear "at the 22-foot mark" as drivers approachthe crosswalks. The department said the colour of paint may need to be adjusted for some crosswalks depending on the tone of the asphalt upon which it is painted to produce a better shadow-like effect.

The third and final 3D crosswalk of the pilot project is due to be painted at Greenwood Drive where it intersects with the Confederation Trail.

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