This Is How Streets Are Redesigned for Pedestrian Safety
In many cities the streets are favourable for the driver. With the advent of the baby boomers aging, however, soon our streets will need to be restructured to not only accommodate the aging demographic but also the growing mass of pedestrians on the streets in general. This article explores the ways that streets can be redesigned to provide a better atmosphere for pedestrians and safety for all.
1) Reduce the number of car lanes on wide streets
image © Bart Everson
While having an abundance of lanes may make the traffic seem as if it is running smoothly, by transforming one lane into a turn lane and only having two traffic lanes, it has been proven to reduce injuries by 68%.
2) Reduce the Width of Lanes
A traditional road is 12-feet wide. This is because if the roads were any wider, a driver would feel compelled to then drive faster.
3) Add Road Protrusions at Crosswalks
image © TrafficScapes
By adding a protrusion at a crosswalk it makes pedestrians more visible and increases the curb radius which slows drivers down.
4) Install Traffic Calming Measures
image © Dwernertl.
While speed reducing methods such as traffic circles and speed bumps are traditionally a pet peeve of motorists, they are known to help slow down traffic and make motorists aware of pedestrians and cyclists in their surrounding area.
5) Eliminate One-Way Streets
image © Complete Streets
Having one-way streets is an invitation for cars to race through town. While motorists can still drive sporadically down two-way streets it makes drivers more cautious and slows the traffic since there is less lanes to weave through.
6) Ban Right Turns at Red Lights
image © Eric Fischer via Flickr
By banning right turns at red lights it not only forces motorists to be aware of their surroundings but also gives pedestrians a head start to cross and ultimately makes crosswalks more visible.
Source: Mother Nature Network Coverphoto: Spencer Thomas
