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In a lot of older areas the roads were built just big enough for farm to market purposes[1] either officially (as in Texas) or unofficially. This resulted in na
by moyta 10y ago
In a lot of older areas the roads were built just big enough for farm to market purposes[1] either officially (as in Texas) or unofficially. This resulted in narrow, twisty & curvy roads that encourage people to drive slower and safer.
The safer a road is perceived to be through visual cues (wider, straighter, less hilly, etc) the faster drivers will go. Hence why in Seattle and other cities dangerous (read wide, "safe" feeling) roads are being put on a diet, and going from 4 lanes to 2 lanes with a center turn lane and bike lanes (sadly usually unprotected). The same thing is being done in Denmark, where they actually add curves & planters to the roads to force cars to curve and feel unsafe, which ultimately results in safer streets for everyone involved.
Another strategy that I've heard has better results is eliminating sidewalks and getting rid of jaywalking laws, so that traffic of all types are forced to intermingle at much lower speeds.
[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farm-to-market_road https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farm-to-market_road
- haimez 10y agoI think the turn lanes and bike lanes were the motivation, the lane width became the accommodating variable.
- dnzm 10y agoAs for mingling different sorts of traffic - I've heard of several spots here in the Netherlands where they've done just that, and it doesn't always result in lower accident rates. At some point you cross the line between "less of a comfort zone everybody is more aware" and "confusing mess that has so many things going on that nobody is aware of everything". A narrow road can still be predictable - you'll have to be alert to prevent minor bumps, but there's no surprises that can result in rear-ends because you have to slam on the brakes. I don't have any studies numbers to back it up atm.
- tonylemesmer 10y agoMy town has in the past year eliminated raised sidewalks/pavements. All that happens now in those areas is that cars drive all over the pedestrian bits and park on them. It's called a "shared space" but car drivers, being rather selfish, just drive and park wherever they wish with scant regard for pedestrians.