Albuquerque Sees Positive Results from Downtown Intersection Changes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The City of Albuquerque reports that converting 11 downtown intersections from traffic signals to four-way stops is improving pedestrian safety and traffic flow. The changes, implemented starting in March, focused on areas near albuquerque Civic Plaza, Albuquerque City Hall, and the Albuquerque Convention Centre – locations with high pedestrian traffic and lower vehicle volume.
The city says the conversions have reduced wait times for pedestrians and increased driver attentiveness. According to city officials, crash numbers have remained low since the changes where made.
“These intersections were backing up, but only during rush hour traffic. The rest of the time there’s not a whole lot of cars.Basically, for 23 hours a day, cars were waiting at stop lights in a unproductive way. Now, cars can go thru much easier and pedestrians can cross much sooner,” said Department of Municipal Advancement Spokesperson Dan Mayfield.
One intersection,at Second St. and Tijeras Ave., has been reverted to a traffic signal due to higher-than-expected vehicle traffic. The city is currently evaluating the intersection at Seventh St. and Central Ave.to determine if a return to traffic lights is necessary.
This initiative builds on a previous “walkability” plan adopted by the city a decade ago, marking the second phase of intersection conversions in the downtown area.Community member Meta Hirschl noted a period of adjustment, stating, ”I have to admit that I just came up on one that used to be a light, and nobody was there, and I drove… I should have stopped. I’ll do that now, but it just is a little bit of transitioning because I was used to that intersection always having a light.”