Norwich — New Public Works Director Ryan Thompson was riding on a tour of city facilities during his first week on the job and the truck was pulling out of the Main Street parking garage when two teenage pedestrians stopped short in front of the truck.

Thompson was surprised that the city garage was not equipped with vehicle sensors that sound an alarm or give a voice warning to pedestrians that a vehicle is exiting from around the blind corner.

This week, a crew from A.S.P. Security Systems, which has a contract with the city for security alarms, is installing just such a system for $1,300.

“It goes along with what I'm trying to do to modernize the department and improve the safety features,” Thompson said. “This is one of the first initiatives.”

The first sensor is being installed at the Main Street exit of the Main Street garage.

A second one could be installed soon at the Water Street exit of the Market Street garage.

Thompson said eventually, the sensors could be installed on all city garages.

The City Hall parking deck on Broadway is busy with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, but sight lines there are more visible, Thompson said.

“Ultimately, the goal is to do all the garage exits,” Thompson said. “We're starting with the high-priority sites.”

Thompson said he has heard the sensors in parking garages in Hartford and San Francisco.

He is working on a list of inexpensive, easy-to-install technology and safety upgrades throughout the city.

He said he will present the list to the City Council Public Works Committee before discussing the measures publicly.

But after his initial close-call experience at the Main Street garage, he didn't want to wait to install the sensor there.

“It's a cheap thing we can do quickly and has a lot of benefit,” Thompson said.

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday