3 ms·

I mean, we can go back and forth with datapoints forever. The London Underground uses subterranean pedestrian tunnels, though personally I've only walked the on

by ip26 8y ago

I mean, we can go back and forth with datapoints forever. The London Underground uses subterranean pedestrian tunnels, though personally I've only walked the one at Heathrow, at night. As it's the main way between terminals I expect it sees lots of foot traffic during the day.

lmm 8y ago
Most of those pedestrian tunnels are pretty unpleasant; everyone I know regards them as a necessary evil at best. Tunnels are inherently not human-friendly spaces (limited natural light) so I don't think you'll find any real success stories for pedestrian tunnels; better to put the cars in tunnels if you must go that route.
- freeone3000 8y ago
  Montreal's underground is a pretty strong counterexample. The pedestrian "tunnels" have retail, dining, etc on the sides, with strong artificial lighting and skylights when possible. It's closer to a mall than a tunnel, and they're quite nice.
  - kingo55 8y ago
    This is the same for Korean cities - you physically can't cross roads of busy intersections... and like in Montreal, there are plenty of shops and amenities underground. Carrot AND stick.
  - eigenvector 8y ago
    Toronto also has a quite extensive and successful underground mall - the 'Path' - but I'd imagine it's success is in part due to the climate. Walking underground is vastly preferable to above ground for a good portion of the year. It also allows access from Financial District office towers to Union Station unimpeded by traffic lights.
- ajmurmann 8y ago
  There is of course also the option of a bridge/elevated walkway system that seems to be working really well in Hong Kong. At least I loved it.
  - lmm 8y ago
    That was tried in London and went badly. Pedestrians don't like having to go up and down a lot, and there's a bootstrapping problem with trying to create a nice environment at high level. Better to keep street level for the pedestrians.
- kthejoker2 8y ago
  Houston's downtown tunnels are thriving and kind of an awesome hidden secret.

by ip26 8y ago

lmm 8y ago

Most of those pedestrian tunnels are pretty unpleasant; everyone I know regards them as a necessary evil at best. Tunnels are inherently not human-friendly spaces (limited natural light) so I don't think you'll find any real success stories for pedestrian tunnels; better to put the cars in tunnels if you must go that route.

freeone3000 8y ago
Montreal's underground is a pretty strong counterexample. The pedestrian "tunnels" have retail, dining, etc on the sides, with strong artificial lighting and skylights when possible. It's closer to a mall than a tunnel, and they're quite nice.
- kingo55 8y ago
  This is the same for Korean cities - you physically can't cross roads of busy intersections... and like in Montreal, there are plenty of shops and amenities underground. Carrot AND stick.
- eigenvector 8y ago
  Toronto also has a quite extensive and successful underground mall - the 'Path' - but I'd imagine it's success is in part due to the climate. Walking underground is vastly preferable to above ground for a good portion of the year. It also allows access from Financial District office towers to Union Station unimpeded by traffic lights.
ajmurmann 8y ago
There is of course also the option of a bridge/elevated walkway system that seems to be working really well in Hong Kong. At least I loved it.
- lmm 8y ago
  That was tried in London and went badly. Pedestrians don't like having to go up and down a lot, and there's a bootstrapping problem with trying to create a nice environment at high level. Better to keep street level for the pedestrians.
kthejoker2 8y ago
Houston's downtown tunnels are thriving and kind of an awesome hidden secret.