Final answer:
Installing a traffic signal help regulate vehicle speeds and manage increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic, significantly improving safety at intersections, especially in high-traffic areas such as school zones.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ensuring pedestrian safety is a critical issue, especially in high-traffic areas near schools and campuses. Installing a traffic signal at busy intersections, such as the one at Clay Street and Eagle Avenue, has multiple benefits. A signal regulates the flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, compelling vehicles to slow down by adhering to the signal, thus enhancing safety. Prior to the installation of the traffic signal, there was a significant problem with vehicles speeding and a rising number of accidents which, regrettably, included a fatality.
Additionally, due to the increased traffic from a new manufacturing plant and the growth of businesses in the nearby area, the traffic volume has grown substantially. The college's rerouting of traffic for football games further exacerbates the situation. Therefore, a traffic signal not only helps in managing vehicle speeds but also serves as a crucial measure to prevent accidents and safeguard the increasing number of pedestrians crossing the intersection.