WASHINGTON CITY — Traffic is busiest and most accidents occur during the week on Thursdays, according to research presented at the Washington City Council work meeting Wednesday.
Dr. Sangjun Park oversaw research carried out over the course of a semester by Southern Utah University undergraduates Emma Echols, Anthony Wright, German Rodriguez and Day Coles.
And the Washington City Police Department gave the council an update on their collaboration with the SUU contingent, the Utah Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety.
“We found Monday through Thursday, with Thursday being the highest, are when the most crashes happen,” Wright said.
The students presented city administration with their recent findings on crash patterns, potential causes and strategies for crash prevention while tailing Washington City policemen and volunteer public servants.
The research identified the first hotspot at 915 W. Red Cliffs Drive in the vicinity in front of Albertsons and the surrounding stores, Echols told the council.
“Suggestions would be only right turn lanes or blocking off some of the exits to that parking lot,” she said.
Telegraph Street and Green Spring Drive was another area of concern, Coles said. Neighboring intersection Green Spring Drive and Buena Vista Boulevard isn’t much better, Rodriguez added.
“Between 3-5 p.m., we’re not seeing as many accidents as we did in the morning commute period of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” he said of possibly adjusting the timing of the signals.
The roundabout at Hoodoo Way on Washington Parkway could be a bit confusing to those who have never navigated one. Coles suggested the best solution would be to “take it out — delete the whole thing.”
At the least, the council was advised more signs warning of the upcoming roundabout could lead to fewer accidents at the intersection.
Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams said volunteers in public service worked alongside students, provided them with data and aided the state’s department of transportation to identify areas of concern due to aging infrastructure.
Other topics covered at the council meeting included public safety regarding transportation, a pitch for trail standards and an update on the upcoming Ironman 70.3 triathlon event in St. George.
City engineer Paul Mogle gave an update on St. George-based Suntran’s planned bus route from the Dixie Center to Springdale, an idea in the planning stages for the past several years. Suntran has been working with the local governments to establish stop locations, with the Washington City Maverik convenience store being picked for their city.
Mogle said plans to have eight diesel-powered buses up and running by July are planned by the transportation company. Other stops he identified included Walmart in Hurricane and possible city-owned properties in LaVerkin and Virgin.
Councilman Troy Belliston noted that seven of the buses are currently being stored at the St. George Regional Airport until their service life begins.
In 2018, UDOT officials committed $15 million toward the exploration and implementation of the St. George to Zion National Park route, as previously reported by St. George News.
Civic leaders also heard updates from Chad McWilliams, sports sales manager at Greater Zion, regarding the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, with 2,200 athletes having already registered for the May 4 race.
A presentation by Paul Walker, assistant director of leisure services in Washington City, described a set of trail standards devised by recreational leaders in several Southern Utah communities.
The construction and safety guidelines are currently being considered in other communities, such as Cedar City, Santa Clara, Hurricane, Ivins and St. George, Walker told the council.
The Southern Utah Regional Trail Standards item was given consideration by the council but not voted on.
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