North Delta Walkability Study
North Delta: Intersections
120th Street at 80th Avenue – Curb Access
Walkablity at 80th Ave and 120th Street in North Delta
Narrow curb ramp with short duration walk light.
Pedestrian signal too short – increase to at least 24 seconds to accommodate walkers and also needs audible signal. At Nordel (also on 120th) people are allowed 34 seconds to cross.
In the foreground the curb ramp is narrow and does not align with either crosswalk.
112th Street at 84th Avenue – Social Heart of Delta
Short duration to cross 112th street and 84th avenue in Norht Delta BC
The sidewalk at 84th Avenue in front of the library and Public Health Building, as it approaches the intersection. The grass boulevard is a buffer, but as the sidewalk nears the busy intersection of 112th and 84th the sidewalk shifts over beside the curb.
General comments about the intersection pedestrian crossing signal were it was not long enough on 112th going south – needs to increase to 24 seconds and needs to add a voice signal (for low vision)
112th Street at 84th Avenue – Social Heart of Delta
Challenges of a busy intersection at 112th street and 84th ave in Delta BC
Congestion and driver behaviour makes this a difficult intersection for pedestrians to navigate. Our walkability survey was held a summer morning which is a quieter time of year and a time of day that is less busy. This picture was taken in the afternoon (January 2013), and illustrates changed pedestrian challenges.
112th st and 84th ave in Delta BC for walkability
The traffic in this picture is east bound on 84th avenue at 112th. There are 3 lanes of traffic – car turning right, car waiting to cross intersection and van signalling to turn left. Note that there is one lane of traffic for cars proceeding west on 84th.
Intersection of Nordel and Scott Road
This intersection’s pictures were not included in our survey due to concerns for safety of some of the walkers in our survey. However, because of changes in the neighbourhood of this location we want to include it in our study. Several of the local shops and services – bank, pharmacy, grocery store that were accessible for seniors living in the Kennedy area have relocated to the east side of Scott Road. Due to the size and business of the Nordel Scott Road intersections, it makes accessing these services difficult. Pedestrians must cross 5 lanes of traffic. Of particular note is the right turn for trucks/cars eastbound on Nordel, turning south bound on to Scott Road – due to the height of trucks they are not able to see the pedestrians below them and there are reports of near misses between trucks and pedestrians. A right turn lane and refuge island are possible remedies. In addition to improving pedestrian visibility, the refuge island could have the effect of shortening the distance that pedestrians travel to cross to the other side. A senior who uses a scooter, reported using their own resourcefulness to create a way to improve their visibility. Using a string of flashing, mini Christmas lights strung on the flag pole of the scooter, the senior was able to turn on the flasher while crossing over Scott Road to make themselves more visible. Our walkability survey was held a summer morning which is a quieter time of year and a time of day that is less busy. This picture was taken in the afternoon (January 2013), and illustrates changed pedestrian challenges.
North Delta: Sidewalks
120th Street, north of 80th Avenue
Traffic at 120th st and 80th ave in Delta BC
Speed and high volume of traffic on 120th combine with a narrow sidewalk and no landscaped buffer is unsafe for walking. The pole in middle of narrow sidewalk creates a barrier for those with walking devices, strollers, etc.
Note the informal pathway formed that bypasses pole and bus stop in background to make a more direct route to 80th Avenue. May indicate need for more formal pedestrian improvement.
80th Avenue, west of 120th Street
Intersection at 80th ave and 120th street in Delta B.C.
Narrow sidewalk and overgrown bushes create unsafe situation. Pedestrians have to walk single file. For seniors needing the support of another’s arm, it would force the 2nd walker onto the roadway.
(Tripping Hazards in sidewalks due to wear and tear or lack of maintenance)
Utility covers not level with the sidewalk present dangers to anyone using the sidewalk
North Delta has paths that need building
Utility boxes should be flush to walking surfaces. This utility box is located on a driveway in the area of 80th Avenue at 120th Street
Informal pathways may indicate a need for a sidewalk
Crack in lid of utility box located adjacent to a narrow sidewalk. The hole could catch a heel, a cane or leg of a walker. Location, NW corner of 120th and 80th
North Delta construction workmanship creates obstacles.
A problem may have occurred at the time of construction. The indentation is the shape of a foot and creates an uneven surface. Located at the northwest corner of 120th Street and 80th Avenue
North Delta Tripping Obstacles to Walking
Located at 80th Avenue, west of 120th, this tripping hazard is due to the lip created between the driveway material and the drainage grate.
Tsawwassen paths force seniors to use less direct routes
Example of driveway crossfall that is wide enough, with a gradual slope to provide a level/even walking surface. A crossfall that is too steep could tip a scooter or make it difficult to navigate in a wheelchair.
Crack in road a North Delta obstacle to walkers
This crack in the sidewalk is an example of missing repairs. Common wear and tear like this is seen throughout our community. The location for this is south side of 84th Avenue at 112th Street by Nordel Centre.
Crack between surfaces with plants growing out of it
Cracks are where vegetation can grow. This is a common example of pedestrian infrastructure aging that creates hazards if left unattended. This photo is at 112th Street and 84th Avenue.
North Delta: Safety
119th A Street and 84th Ave
High traffic volume at a marked pedestrian crossing
Marked Pedestrian crossing, no traffic control – volume of traffic, speed of vehicles and distraction of drivers are reasons that pedestrians do not feel safe using this crosswalk. In spite of this it is used often by seniors to access the shopping mall across the street. Please note this picture was taken January, 2013, as it was missed during the walking study.
120th Street and 80th Avenue – south bound 120th Street
Bus shelters with clear walls are problems in North Delta
Clear walls of bus shelter are difficult for low vision pedestrians to see and may result in a person walking into the wall – etching on the glass will make the more shelter more visible. When a shelter is placed against a wall or fence visibility is not a hazard.
North Delta: Comfort and Appeal
120th Street and 80th Avenue – south bound 120th Street
Bus shelters located away from where the bus stops are a problem in North Delta
This bus shelter is located ahead (by pedestrian in picture) of where the bus stops. Congestion created because sidewalk is very narrow.
Distance from where bus stops from shelter.
This picture gives another angle to illustrate the distance involved.
Bus Stop 112th Street and 84th Avenue
Seniors Planning Team issues of help to get up high curbs in Tsawwassen BC
Examples of garbage within tossing distance of garbage can.
