9 schools assessed using Star Rating for schools developed by the iRAP and 3 school zones upgraded in Moldova in 2023, leading to a safety level improvement from 1-star to 4-5 stars and safer crossings for VRUs

”Safe crossings - safe journeys project
School zone assessment in Balti, Singerei and Ungheni municipalities” implemented by the Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM)

• The initiative was aimed at providing safe and sustainable low-cost interventions at three selected pedestrian crossings situated in three cities in Moldova - Balti, Ungheni and Singerei
• The main project goal -  to address the urban mobility and sustainable development of VRU infrastructure in a modern way, by taking into account the needs of all road users, but prioritizing the schoolchildren and low mobility category
• Transform three pedestrian crossings in these 3 localities

“Vasile Alecsandri” Lyceum in Ungheni

The SR4S application assessed the school area as an unsafe one by rating it with 1 star. The ACM experts, with the support of school management and local public authorities gathered efforts to secure the pedestrian crossing near the lyceum through tactical urbanism interventions, namely:

• Installing the 30 km/h zone;
• Marking properly the pedestrian crossing;
• Preventing parking in the area of 10 m from the crossing using plastic bollards to enlarge the drivers’ field of view;
• Lowering the curbs on both sides of the crossing and construction of access slopes from the sidewalk for low mobility groups;
• Installing missing traffic signs “Attention, children”, “Pedestrian crossing”.

Following the intervention, the security rating of the pedestrian crossing, assessed according to the Star Rating methodology, increased from 1 to 4 stars, due to the reduction of operating traffic speed and the improvement of the visibility and accessibility of the pedestrian crossing.

“Dimitrie Cantemir” Lyceum in Singerei

The assessment conducted in the selected school area in Singerei indicated a 3-star safety level according to the SR4S. For children’s safety, useful recommendations for improvement were offered. With the LPA’s support, the ACM secured the main pedestrian crossing used by the pupils on their way to and from school.

The location was secured through following measures:

• Installing the 30km/h speed zone;
• Narrowing the pedestrian crossing with bollards;
• Preventing parking in the area of 5 m from the crossing by means of plastic bollards to enlarge drivers’ field of view;
• Applying reflective markings, inscription “SCHOOL” and colored paint along the sidewalk;
• Installation of traffic signs - “Attention, children”, “Pedestrian crossing”
• Construction of access slopes from the sidewalk.

Following the intervention, the security rating of the pedestrian crossing, assessed according to the “Star Rating” methodology, increased from 3 to 4 stars, due to the reduction of operating traffic speed and the improvement of the visibility and accessibility.

School area in Balti municipality

The assessed school area and pedestrian crossing selected for the project, children from two lyceums and one kindergarten use daily on their way to and from school. The 1-star rated, according to the SR4S, pedestrian crossing is located in a crowded junction with a high operating speed in the area.

At the ACM initiative, schools’ management gained the LPA’s and police support in securing the damaged and inaccessible pedestrian infrastructure in the zone.

Thus, the pedestrian crossing was improved by applying following measures:

• Installing 30km/h speed zone;
• School zone warning signs installation and marking application to guide drivers and warn them of their proximity to a school;
• Redesign of the intersection by arranging an additional pedestrian crossing on the secondary street;
• Pavement improvement;
• Pedestrian guardrails installation on both streets in the crossing perimeter.

As a result of the provided interventions the SR4S rating of the assessed location in Balti has improved from 1 to 4 stars.

 

More than 3000 pupils crossing the areas of intervention benefit of safer journeys to and from school, as well as their parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors and most important low mobility groups.

Vulnerable road users deserve a 3-star or better roads!