Spring & Cooper Intersection Safety Enhancements Living Lab

Project Information:

The Spring & Cooper Intersection Living Lab project is designed to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in Aspen’s downtown core.

The Aspen Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan outlines our community’s desire to create a pedestrian and bike-friendly town. Following data collection in 2019 regarding stop sign compliance, this intersection was identified for safety improvements. Additionally, this intersection was identified as the number two accident prone location in the City of Aspen, meaning it had the second highest number of reported accidents.

Traffic counts from the 2019 study documented:

• Less than 35% of cars stopped at the Copper Avenue stop bar, either stopping in the intersection or not stopping at all
• Less than 3/4 of all cars stopped for pedestrians on Spring Street, with approximately 35-38% not stopping at all

Through this living lab, the bollards and planters placed around this intersection will test if we can create a safer environment for those traveling by bike or foot. If successful, more permanent safety features such as a curb bump-out will be installed in the future.

Critical Concerns

• Safety at the intersection of Spring Street and Cooper Avenue
• Exposure distance and time of pedestrians to vehicular traffic
• Poor site lines create difficulty for motorists to see pedestrians
• Lack of vehicular compliance with stop signs and stopping for pedestrians

Project Goals:

• Improve pedestrian, bicycle safety by:
  1. Reducing time pedestrians are exposed to traffic while in the crosswalk
  2. Increasing visibility of all parties using the intersection
  3. Slowing vehicle traffic to enhance predictable behaviors in the intersection
• Engage Living Lab participants and collect feedback to inform long-term safety improvements at the intersection

How to Participate:

• Subscribe to receive project updates
• Email Project Manager, PJ Murray, Civil Engineer at pj.murray@cityofaspen.com
• Share your comments below using the comments tab
• Take the questionnaire