Press release
As a grantee of the New York State Department of Health’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) initiative, the Genesee Valley BOCES (GV BOCES) collaborated with multi-sector stakeholders and the community at large in Pavilion to increase roadway safety and active transportation opportunities for users of all ages and abilities.
A CHSC funded mobile speed trailer was placed near Pavilion Central School to enhance roadway safety and walkability. The speed limit in this area is 35 MPH. Since installing the mobile speed trailer, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has been monitoring and collecting data.
Prior to the speed trailer speeding was a major issue. The violations hit over 80 MPH at times. The most recent data shows violations dropping below the 50 MPH range. The average speed in June 2022 was 39 MPH, and as of October 2022 the average rate of speed is now 30 MPH.
The Town of Pavilion’s Comprehensive Plan articulated an overall vision for Pavilion and a means to achieve that vision. This included efforts for the community to gather, celebrate and work together towards common goals such as revitalizing the Hamlet so it continues to be the useful and attractive heart of the town. Additionally the plan focused on developing strategies for keeping the community attractive to current residents and desirable for drawing new residents to the community.
Road safety and efficiency for users of all ages and abilities are Pavilion’s primary transportation concerns and are connected to enhancing the community. NYS Route 19, a north-south, 2-lane arterial and NYS Route 63, an east-west, 2 to 3 lane arterial intersect in the Hamlet of Pavilion. Both state routes experience considerable traffic volumes with significant tractor trailer traffic as these state bypass routes are used to minimize freight travel distance. Safe passing options are limited in the areas just beyond this main intersection and vehicles often perform illegal and risky maneuvers to circumvent freight traffic. To compound matters, the elementary and middle/high schools are located a short distance from the intersection.
In 2021, GV BOCES and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Genesee Transportation Council, collaborated to facilitate a walkability tour and Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index Assessment with a multi-stakeholder advisory committee consisting of residents, the Town Supervisor, the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of School Transportation, the School Resource Officer, and the New York State Department of Transportation to learn more about roadway safety and walkability near the schools and the Hamlet of Pavilion. Based on the data collected, an action plan and recommended interventions were developed. The audit allowed the advisory committee to use multiple data points to identify potential improvements to support roadway safety and promote walkability.
One data driven recommendation made by the advisory committee included implementation of speed indicators. As a result, GV BOCES Creating Healthy Schools and Communities funds supported the purchase of a mobile speed trailer to be deployed at multiple locations near the schools and Hamlet area to improve roadway safety and the quality of the transportation system.
“Addressing roadway safety issues and enhancing opportunities for pedestrian activity support the vitality and economic development of the Hamlet and the health and wellness of the community.” Rob LaPoint, Pavilion Town Supervisor
Moving forward, additional opportunities exist for community planning and interventions that increase safe and accessible physical activity to establish a community environment that supports the health and wellness of residents and the economic development of the area.
“The mobile speed trailer helps to support the moderation of traffic conditions to improve the safety of operations for all roadway users with a particular emphasis on areas near the schools. The mobile speed trailer has noticeably reduced speeders in front of the school. While school is not in session, the unit is being used near the fire hall and the little league fields to increase awareness. It has been a blessing to have the speed trailer added to our community.” Deputy Jeremy McClellan, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and School Resource officer Pavilion CSD.