Urban design & Transportation planning
Streets are places too
Apart from being physical conduits for various means of travel: walking, cycling, driving, streets are part of the wider public realm that people visit, linger and appreciate.
Each street has its own character, from the tight enclosed spaces of a mews or court to the spaciousness of a formal boulevard. There are no absolutes. Each is appreciated as a pleasant contrast or complement to its neighbours.
Crossings are part of the urban experience
Crossings are essential to help people safely and comfortably negotiate an incredibly dangerous manoeuvre. Yet a crossing is also part of public realm and can also visually complement and even enhance its individual character.
Optional designs can be tailored to suit a location
Three basic types of new crossings have been trialled by Westminster City Council: zebra at road level; zebra at pavement level and extended pavement. It is possible to select and then vary the detailed design of each type to suit its location.
Least street-sign clutter
For example the basic zebra crossing at road level will not require warning signs of a road hump and so is probably the option with the least street-sign clutter.
Continuous pedestrian flow and connectivity
Alternatively, the extended pavement option creates a feel of continuous flow and connectivity: useful to help continuity along a shopping street.
Integrated landscape and highway
All options allow for the integration of highway design and landscape. The width of zebra crossings and extended pavements can be varied to fit precisely into a wider landscape design.
Opportunities for full integration at roundabouts
Bringing the crossings at roundabout junctions into consideration increases the opportunities for full highway and landscape integration. The safest crossing option is where pedestrians need only cross a single lane before they reach the safety of a pavement or refuge.
Give way zones
There are many places such as historic town or village centres that would benefit from a new form of traffic restriction that requires drivers to give way to pedestrians. The most similar restriction at present is a Home Zone, where a system of traffic calming roads humps, etc. is intended to encourage drivers to reduce speed.
An amended zone restriction would apply to locations other than merely residential areas and crucially would make clear that drivers must give way to pedestrians