I sometimes think that dogs are not environmentally friendly. They have no problems with hundreds of people everyday passing by their Street and driving in their cars, trucks or SUVs.  But as soon as they see a pedestrian… run for your life!

Frédéric Van Caenegem

A few days ago, I sent an email to the City of Vancouver Engineering Department to advise them that the “pedestrian detector” (not sure how to call it) at an intersection near my workplace was not working.  My hopes that this would be looked at were very slim.  I was, firstly, quite surprised to receive an email the following day saying they will look into the issue.  I was even more surprised three days later when, coming at this intersection as I usually do, the detector was actually fixed and working properly!

Someone has established good internal communications inside the Engineering  Department of the City of Vancouver.  Bravo!  Please find below the email exchange.

Frédéric Van Caenegem

________________________________________

From : Frédéric Van Caenegem
Send : November 22 12:36:33
To : Engineering Records Management

Hello Darren
Thank you for looking into this fixing the problem.  Great internal communications!
Sincerely,
Frédéric.

Subject: RE: Pedestrian crossing on 4th under Granville Bridge
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:32:13 -0800
From: Engineering Records Management
To: Frédéric Van Caenegem

Hello,
The following message was sent from the electrical office:
Thank you for advising us of this pedestrian crossing problem. We will look into the matter.
Thank you,
Darren

From: Frédéric Van Caenegem
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 9:45 AM
To: Engineering Records Management
Subject: Pedestrian crossing on 4th under Granville Bridge

Hi!
Just wanted to advise that the pedestrian crossing on 4th avenue, under Granville Bridge, is not working properly.  The detector on the North side is not functioning, therefore it never gives enough time to cross the street.
It should be fix rapidly, at this crossing is a blind spot for drivers who can’t easily see pedestrians.
Frédéric