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I don't get how that downtown even works. Do the Swiss not use trucks to deliver goods? That car lane is too narrow for anything bigger than a passenger car. Th

by Noos 7y ago

I don't get how that downtown even works. Do the Swiss not use trucks to deliver goods? That car lane is too narrow for anything bigger than a passenger car. There's no passing lane, so what happens if an ambulance or fire truck needs to get through? How do bicycles even exist on that street, since the bike lane seems to also be the passenger disembarking lane? Why make pedestrians need to cross a line of traffic once they get off a tram? Do you think you can push a stroller between two stopped cars? What happens if someone spills a bag of groceries or goods? I mean, it looks ten times easier to actually live in a suburb than this.

em-bee 7y ago
emergency vehicles can use the rail tracks if they need to pass. them being there is actually an advantage for that because if the road was full of cars on all lanes, they could not pass either. making pedestrians cross traffic after getting off the tram is indeed an issue. but there are various solutions. usually the tram is close to an intersection with traffic lights and crossings. you use those to get to the tram. the alternative would be to have the trams run on the sides and the car traffic in the middle. but that doesn't work when the tram needs to get around the corner, because it can't turn with such a short radius. there are tradeoffs. i have lived in the suburbs and in a street like the article describes. that street is much more livable. for example i don't need to travel long distance to buy groceries. the next supermarket is usually within walking distance. other shops too, restaurants and anything else i might need. not so in the suburbs where the next mall is often kilometers away.
zhdc1 7y ago
You can get small commercial vehicles/delivery trucks down most of the streets in Zurich. Cars are also expected to make way for emergency vehicles, and as the other poster mentioned, emergency can use the rail lane when they need to. Drivers are expected to keep crosswalks open at all times. Pedestrians at crosswalks also have the right of way, and it's extensively enforced. A lot of the junctions also have cameras - it's on you if you get stuck in one after the signals change, and the fines aren't cheap.

by Noos 7y ago

em-bee 7y ago

emergency vehicles can use the rail tracks if they need to pass. them being there is actually an advantage for that because if the road was full of cars on all lanes, they could not pass either. making pedestrians cross traffic after getting off the tram is indeed an issue. but there are various solutions. usually the tram is close to an intersection with traffic lights and crossings. you use those to get to the tram. the alternative would be to have the trams run on the sides and the car traffic in the middle. but that doesn't work when the tram needs to get around the corner, because it can't turn with such a short radius. there are tradeoffs. i have lived in the suburbs and in a street like the article describes. that street is much more livable. for example i don't need to travel long distance to buy groceries. the next supermarket is usually within walking distance. other shops too, restaurants and anything else i might need. not so in the suburbs where the next mall is often kilometers away.

zhdc1 7y ago

You can get small commercial vehicles/delivery trucks down most of the streets in Zurich. Cars are also expected to make way for emergency vehicles, and as the other poster mentioned, emergency can use the rail lane when they need to. Drivers are expected to keep crosswalks open at all times. Pedestrians at crosswalks also have the right of way, and it's extensively enforced. A lot of the junctions also have cameras - it's on you if you get stuck in one after the signals change, and the fines aren't cheap.