City staff outline two proposed Provo traffic signals, cite crash history and accessibility upgrades

City traffic staff presented two proposed signals and answered residents’ questions at a Provo Central Neighborhood District meeting.

Bruno Keesler, who identified himself during the presentation, said the 700 East and 800 North location satisfied three of six manual warrants and recorded three crashes in a five-year review, including one pedestrian and one bicycle collision. “All we need is one to justify a traffic signal,” Keesler said, adding that planners generally prefer two or three satisfied warrants before installing a signal.

Keesler then described a second proposal near the recreation center, saying the site had 19 reported crashes over the last three years and multiple serious-injury collisions. He recommended installing a new signal with full left-turn bays, new signal arms, ADA curb ramps on corners, upgraded lighting, LED turning indicators and a pilot of touchless accessible pedestrian detectors.

Attendees asked whether existing pedestrian crossings would change; Keesler said existing signage remains in place and no immediate change to the small pedestrian crossing north of 800 would occur. Residents also raised concerns about audible pedestrian devices, their volume and motion-activation sensitivity. Keesler acknowledged the units can be loud, noted their cost (he cited about $16,000 per unit as an implementation figure), and said the city plans a gradual roll-out and pilot testing to work out timing and sensitivity before wider installation.

Keesler said staff typically analyze three years of crash data for most projects but will use five years when evaluating signal warrants. He said the presence of utilities and bus routing can affect options such as roundabouts at these locations.

The neighborhood forum provided input on audible-device volume and pilot deployment; no formal city decision was made at the meeting. Staff said the proposals will appear in upcoming city planning/council discussions and requested patience during pilot timing adjustments.