Trial designs of safer and more convenient side-road crossings have already been constructed by the City of Westminster. There are two alternative forms of a simplified zebra crossing, one at road level and one raised to pavement level. A third alternative extends the raised pavement across the road. The results of the trials are very encouraging.
From a road safety perspective all three alternatives perform remarkably well. In almost every case the proportion of drivers that stopped for pedestrians waiting to cross increased from 30% to 80% which is almost the 90% normally achieved at formal zebra crossings. Though less easily measured, the stress experienced by pedestrians as they cross, appears to have been lessened. The decision on which alternative design to use depends on local circumstances, urban design considerations and costs.
Similar trials could now be carried out across the country.
Side-road junction crossings.
Zebras and continnuous pavements (footways).
Each of the three styles or designs of trial side-road crossing is safer than an informal, uncontrolled, courtesy crossings
Three alternative crossing designs
The least expensive design is a simplified zebra crossing at road level, assuming there is no raised table already present at the crossing.
The most expensive is a continuous pavement constructed to appear and feel to both drivers and pedesrians as a place where pedestrians have priority.