SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL IN QUÉBEC CITY’S CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOODS: FOCUS ON PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND ACCESS

摘要

Sidewalk snow removal in Québec City’s central neighborhoods is challenging for a number of reasons.Winter in Québec City is characterized by frequent, heavy snowfalls. Snow piled up on the side of the street awaiting removal to a snow dump poses an obstacle for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility impairments.Many sidewalks in central areas are narrow, rife with utility poles and steps, and bordered by building façades on one side and parked vehicles on the other. As a result, snow removal vehicles have little or no access to sidewalks.In these densely populated neighborhoods, the needs of vehicle owners who want free street parking close to home must be weighed against the needs of pedestrians who want safe sidewalks to walk on.This paper discusses the City of Québec’s efforts to address the situation through a continuous improvement process, with the final objective being pedestrian safety.