The City of Edmonton is installing pedestrian walkway locator signs in downtown pedways, pedestrian bridges, light rail transit (LRT) tunnels, and public corridors to help users navigate and to support emergency response.

The Pedway Unique Identifier Program (UID) partners the City with Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Fire Rescue, Transit Peace Officers, Alberta Emergency Medical Services, and property owners. Each sign displays a unique code for its segment of the pedway system. The City integrates the codes into 911 dispatch systems so operators can direct first responders to incidents quickly and accurately.

“Edmonton’s downtown pedway system is about 13 kilometres of interconnected pedways, tunnels, pedestrian bridges, and corridors,” said Ian Hosler, Pedway UID project manager. “It can be difficult to know exactly where you are in the system. This program helps ensure pedway users get the help they need as quickly as possible, and that first responders are certain they are being accurately directed to the area of the incident.”

The City of Edmonton emphasizes the importance of the signs. On Facebook, the City stated, “Knowing your location in the downtown pedways is crucial during an emergency. The pedway locator signs help first responders find the exact location of an incident.”

The program will initially cover downtown pedways and those near the Corona and Government Centre LRT stations, and the City may expand it if it proves successful.

Learn more at: https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/downtown-pedways.