Final answer:
Increased pedestrian traffic in business districts, often resulting from nearby schools or events, and higher vehicle traffic due to area growth, lead to a higher risk of collisions. The lack of traffic signals at busy intersections exacerbates this problem, making it dangerous for pedestrians to cross. Installing traffic signals helps to regulate traffic flow and enhances pedestrian safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Collisions involving pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks in business districts are primarily due to several contributing factors. Pedestrian safety is compromised when many individuals, such as students, cross intersections without a traffic signal, making them dodge traffic. This situation becomes riskier when there is a disregard for the speed limit by vehicles.
Another factor is the increased traffic flow in the area. With the opening of new businesses, like a manufacturing plant and an expanded strip mall close to the intersection, coupled with changes in traffic routing for events such as football games, the volume of both pedestrian and vehicle traffic has increased significantly.
The most compelling rationale for installing a traffic signal is the unacceptable rise in accidents, as indicated by police reports which show that traffic accidents occur at least three times a month at that intersection. The installation of a traffic signal helps manage the flow of traffic and provides designated times for pedestrians to cross, improving safety and potentially reducing the number of accidents.