Eliminating Slip Lanes for Safer Streets
This video presents the feedback received from local residents, features an interview with urban design expert Uytae Lee, and examines scientific research supporting slip lane removal for pedestrian safety.
Campaign Overview
Slip lanes (also called channelized right turns) are dedicated right-turn lanes that bypass traffic signals and create high-speed turns at intersections. While they may improve vehicle flow, they create significant safety hazards for pedestrians and cyclists who must navigate these fast-moving turns, often with limited visibility.
Strong Towns Langley launched this campaign in October 2023 to address the dangerous slip lanes along the 88 Avenue corridor in Walnut Grove, where pedestrians—especially children, seniors, and people with mobility challenges—face unsafe crossing conditions.
Our campaign has included community surveys, research, public education, and direct advocacy to Township Council, resulting in significant progress toward pedestrian-friendly intersection redesigns.
Safety Concern: Pedestrian island at Walnut Grove Drive and 88 Avenue becomes dangerously overcrowded during peak hours.
Campaign Timeline
Campaign Launch
Strong Towns Langley volunteers put up survey posters on the corners of each intersection along 88 Avenue from Glover Road to 200 Street that had slip lanes, officially launching the campaign.
Community Survey
88 Avenue Corridor Slip Lanes Survey launched to gather community feedback on pedestrian experiences at these dangerous intersections.
Watch the Survey Launch VideoSurvey Closes
Community survey closes with 32 responses providing valuable data about pedestrian safety concerns and design preferences.
Presentation to Council
Letter sent to Mayor and Council presenting survey results and research on slip lane safety issues.
View Letter to CouncilCouncil Action
Township Council requests a staff report on removing slip lanes along 88 Avenue.
Watch Instagram UpdateCouncil Motion Passed
Motion passed to explore pedestrian-oriented design options for the intersection of 88 Avenue and 208 Street.
Staff Report Released
Engineering staff present report with four potential improvement options for the intersection.
View Staff ReportAwaiting Final Decision
Township Council reviewing options for implementation. Strong Towns Langley continues to advocate for pedestrian-first intersection designs.
Community Survey Results
From October to December 2023, Strong Towns Langley conducted a comprehensive survey of residents who use the intersections along 88 Avenue. We collected 32 responses providing valuable feedback about pedestrian safety, intersection design, and preferences for improvements.
63%
of respondents reported feeling unsafe as pedestrians at slip lane intersections
62%
wanted changes to the intersection design, either by removing slip lanes (28%) or adding more space for people (34%)
47%
believed that slip lanes worsen the intersection, compared to 41% who thought they improved it
Key Survey Findings:
- Only 38% of respondents felt the current intersection design with slip lanes was acceptable
- The majority (62%) wanted changes - either removing slip lanes entirely or creating more space for pedestrians
- Nearly two-thirds (63%) considered slip lanes unsafe for pedestrians
- Pedestrian islands were reported to become overcrowded during peak times
- Respondents indicated that the current design prioritizes vehicle flow over pedestrian safety
Survey Methodology
Our survey assessed:
- Safety perceptions for different road users
- Impact of slip lanes on overall intersection functionality
- Preferences for intersection design changes
- Usage patterns of pedestrian islands during peak hours
Respondents included people of various age ranges using different transportation modes.
Staff Report and Improvement Options
In February 2025, Township of Langley engineering staff presented a comprehensive report with four potential improvement options for the intersection of 88 Avenue and 208 Street. This represents a significant victory for our campaign, as Council is now considering concrete alternatives to the dangerous slip lane design.
Option 1: Mountable Aprons
Install mountable aprons on all approaches to reduce vehicle speeds while maintaining the existing slip lane configuration.
Pros: Minimal construction costs, moderate speed reduction
Cons: Maintains existing pedestrian hazards, limited safety improvement
Option 2: Smart Channels
Reconstruct all four right-turn islands to Smart Channels with a high-entry-angle design that improves driver visibility of pedestrians.
Pros: Improved sightlines, moderate safety improvement, maintains traffic flow
Cons: Higher construction costs, still allows higher-speed turns than 90-degree configuration
Option 3: Hybrid Approach
Reconstruct the northbound and eastbound right-turns islands to Smart Channels and convert the westbound and southbound right-turns to 90-degree configurations.
Pros: Balances pedestrian safety with traffic considerations, phased implementation possible
Cons: Inconsistent intersection design, medium-high construction costs
Option 4: Full 90-Degree Conversion
Convert the intersection to 90-degree right turns on all approaches, eliminating slip lanes entirely.
Pros: Maximum pedestrian safety, creates opportunity for additional public space, simplest crossing for pedestrians
Cons: Highest construction costs, potential for increased traffic congestion
Strong Towns Langley recommends this option as it prioritizes pedestrian safety and aligns with best practices for walkable communities.
Photo Evidence
These photos document the overcrowded conditions at pedestrian islands next to slip lanes in Walnut Grove, particularly during school hours and peak commuting times:
Walnut Grove Drive and 88 Avenue
Pedestrian island overcrowded with students and commuters during afternoon peak period.
Walnut Grove Drive and 212 Street
Multiple pedestrians crowded onto small island refuge, creating unsafe conditions as vehicles speed through the slip lane.
Research and Resources
Academic Research
Impact of right-turn channelization on pedestrian safety at signalized intersections
Science Direct Journal (2019)
This research paper evaluates the safety impacts of right-turn channelization at signalized intersections, finding significantly higher pedestrian collision risks at intersections with slip lanes.
View ResearchCase Studies
Cities Are Replacing Dangerous Slip Lanes With Space for People
StreetsBlog USA
This article documents how cities across North America are removing slip lanes to improve pedestrian safety and create more usable public space, with examples from New York, San Francisco, and Toronto.
Read ArticleAdditional Campaign Videos
Survey Launch Video
James Hansen from Strong Towns Langley introduces the Slip Lanes Survey in North Langley, explaining the campaign and putting up posters throughout Walnut Grove.
October 2023
Campaign Updates
Follow our Instagram for regular updates and behind-the-scenes content from the campaign.
View on InstagramGet Involved
How You Can Help
- Attend Council Meetings: Show support for pedestrian-friendly intersection redesigns at upcoming Township Council meetings.
- Share Your Experience: Continue to share your experiences as a pedestrian at these intersections with us and with Council.
- Spread the Word: Share our campaign materials and videos on social media to raise awareness about pedestrian safety.
- Join Our Team: Volunteer with Strong Towns Langley to support this and other campaigns for a more walkable, people-centered community.
Together, we can create safer streets for all Langley residents, regardless of how they choose to travel.
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