6 “Progressive” and Beneficial Pedestrian Infrastructures

We are always trying to find ways to make our cities more pedestrian friendly. Here are some interesting, progressive pedestrian focused infrastructures that we could use in our urban areas throughout Montgomery County:

1)   Protected left turn

The Next city article pointed to the fact that left turn crashes are leading causes of pedestrian deaths. If there are protected left turns, which means green arrows signaling a left turn, this is one way to prevent pedestrian causalities.

2)   “Pedestrian Head-starts”

Another strategy is to give pedestrians some sort of leeway before motorists are allowed to turn red. Also, installing “No Turn On Red” signs is another easy fix to prevent motorists from turning on red, giving pedestrians more time and feeling more comfortable crossing the road.

3)   Raised crossings and intersections

This type of infrastructure allows pedestrians to appear taller, making them more noticeable while slowing down cars when they go over the bump.

4)   Neckdowns or curb extensions

Neckdowns can be used to supplement the raised crossings. Neckdowns are extended curbs the come out to the intersection.

5)   Protected intersections

Protected intersections are design to both extend protected bike lanes and help ensure safety for pedestrians. The protected intersections include the “corner refuge island,” which are curb extensions that happen at all four corners of the intersection. Bike lanes go through the center.

6)   “The Barnes Dance” or pedestrian scramble

And finally, “The Barnes Dance” or the pedestrian scramble “restricts right turns on red, and turns the whole intersection into a walkers-only zone for the length of a long signal.”  Pedestrians end up crossing the streets diagonally in a X formation.