Two sets of gates have been installed on campus with the purpose of slowing vehicle speeds. This construction was scheduled in response to reports of cars – especially large delivery trucks – driving at unsafe speeds near residential halls and pedestrian paths.
The LUCC Student Welfare Committee expressed initial concern on the matter and brought President Jill Beck and a group of faculty and students to seek a solution. The plans for these gates have been approved as the best resolution.
In the meantime, several speed limit signs were posted around campus stating five miles per hour to be the maximum speed for vehicles. These signs may have caused more awareness of vehicle speed and safety, but also may not have been effective.
“I’ve never been personally affected by a car traveling too quickly behind Ormsby, but I have seen cars flying through there,” said sophomore Dan Schenk.
However, there have not been any vehicular accidents. The new gates are to be established instead as a preventative measure. They are in high pedestrian areas behind Sampson House and the end of the parking lot behind Science Hall.
“While this thoroughfare must accommodate both vehicles – for access by the fire department and for delivery,” said Physical Plant security coordinator Mark Musser, “it was intended to be principally
a pedestrian walkway.”
Safety is the primary matter with these gates; convenience and practicality are also elements the group has kept in mind. It is intended that these gates will still allow small cars to pass through after slowing down, but the gates will prevent larger delivery trucks to be able to pass at all. In order for them to be let in, security must specifically arrange to widen the gates.
With all of this, there is some skepticism
of the consequences of these new gates on campus. “The gates are giving vehicles and students walking a smaller space. It doesn’t seem to intuitively provide
for more safety,” said sophomore Ben Kraemer.
Despite some minor inconveniences for security and larger cars, as well as some speculation on the solution’s success,
Musser contends the gates’ construction
to be strongly beneficial to the campus and has not expressed any uncertainty on their usefulness.
“The first and principal challenge [was] to address concerns regarding vehicular traffic on the thoroughfare from Ormsby/Hiett Hall and extending to the exit to Lawe Street by Wriston,” added Musser. “We believe that these gates will solve the problem and enhance pedestrian safety.
New campus gates block traffic
