QC eyes safety crossing system for pedestrians

Quezon City will start implementing before the end of this month a pedestrian crossing system where traffic enforcers will be using red flags to stop vehicular traffic and allow pedestrians to safely cross the city’s busy streets.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. directed the city Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) to implement the new system which had been recommended by Dr. Manuel Alba, a senior consultant to the Office of the Mayor.

Alba noted that the safety measure is similar to a system now in place on busy thoroughfares in Japan.

Belmonte emphasized during an executive meeting at the N.S. Amoranto Bulwagan at City Hall that road accidents involving pedestrians could be prevented or minimized if there are safe crossing points for pedestrians on wide and busy streets like the Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue.

Acting on the mayor’s directive, DPOS chief Manuel Sabalza laid the groundwork for designating the pedestrian crosswalk spots as proposed by Alba.

"We will initially implement this red flag project at two crossing points — one at the Elliptical Road in front of City Hall and at Philcoa. We will have other points along Commonwealth Avenue, in places which are far from the nearest pedestrian overpass," he said.

Sabalza said preparations are underway for placing the necessary warning signs and markings like "Caution: Pedestrians Crossing" and for determining the proper time to be designated as safe crossing hours. The designated crossing schedule will be during daytime only when the red flags are visible.

"We are coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in every stage of implementation," he said.

In addition to the Elliptical and Philcoa crossing points, there are 15 other points on Commonwealth that have been recommended for designation as pedestrian crosswalks or safe crossing points by a DPOS traffic study group.

The recommended spots are near Atherton street, Fairlane street, NCBA, Fairview Center Mall, Camaro street, Marlboro street, BPI near Winston street, Winston street, Fairview Wet Market, Doña Carmen/Don Jose street, Immaculate Mother School/Don Fabian street, Riverside, Saint Mary School/Capitol Estate, Balara/Academy and the Human Rights Commission.

Meanwhile, the city government has given priority to the repainting of pedestrian lanes in front of the Kamuning Elementary School, Kamuning Christian Kinder Care Church, Quezon City High School, and lanes at the Cruzville Zabarte, Barangay Kaligayahan in Novaliches, Belfast Avenue between SM entrance gate and Teresa Heights Subdivision.

Also given priority are the pedestrian lanes in front of the main gate of the QC Polytechnic University, and in front of Philippine Science High School, Minipark on Jacinto street, C.P. Garcia/and in front of Barangay Hall, Manansala street, Pook Amorsolo.