Look left, look right and then look again. State College Borough placed safety markers at busy downtown intersections yesterday in an effort to improve pedestrian safety.

Amy Story, borough engineer, said the "pedestrian channeling devices" heighten awareness of pedestrians in crosswalks.

"[The borough] received complaints from pedestrians about being able to cross the street. They wanted to know if the borough could help them," Story said.

Two markers are located at the intersection of College Avenue and Allen Street; two more at the intersection of College Avenue and Pugh Street, and three additional markers are located at the intersection of Beaver Avenue and Allen Street.

The markers are placed about 25 feet from crosswalks.

So far, the borough has received more complaints than compliments about the new safety measures. Story said several of the devices had been knocked over yesterday.

"They're supposed to be able to resist being struck by a vehicle," Story said.

Mark Gallagher (junior-accounting) said he doubted how well the markers would work.

"They should be closer to the crosswalk, but they still wouldn't be effective," Gallagher said.

Joe De Phillips (senior-operations and information systems management) said State College pedestrians are not always aware of their surroundings.

"I don't think they will be effective. People walk wherever and whenever they want," De Phillips said.

The borough's department of public works is responsible for the maintenance of the markers. They are put into place at 7 a.m. and removed by 9 p.m. because officials are worried about theft.

"That's why they are meant to be taken up at night. We might even have to pull them before dark," Story said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT) provided the markers to the borough free of charge but they cost PennDOT about $80 each, said Dave Bachman, pedestrian safety director for PennDOT.

Bachman said State College is one of nearly 100 municipalities that have received the devices through the program.

Bachman said that the devices are official traffic control devices, so the borough wouldn't be responsible for any damage resulting from a vehicle striking one of the markers.

"These markers are reminders of existing state law. Even if the signs aren't there you still have to yield to pedestrians," Bachman said.