Techniques

      11 Quality & design
    › 11.1 Pedestrian crossing
    › 11.2 Urban space
    › 11.3 Rural traffic measures
    › 11.4 Urban traffic measures

 

11.1 Pedestrian crossing

A crossing needs to be designed for safety of the users but should also respect its surroundings. These pictures show how an existing crossing may be designed to be sympathetic to the character of the area.

A pedestrian crossing


A visualisation of the same crossing designed to have less impact on its surroundings and to reduce the clutter

Techniques to reduce clutter

1	The ugly cranked signal post with full sized
	“Pelican” signal heads for pedestrians are
	not needed if “Puffin”, near side, pedestrians
	signals are used instead.
2	The signal brackets are therefore not required.
3	Only one set of signals and push buttons are
	needed on each side of the road, not two.
4	White edging to the signals are not required
	by the signs regulations, TSRGD.
5	The signals can be fixed to the lamp column
	rather than a separate post.
6	The guard rails along the road and the posts
	and rail at the grass verge are unnecessary.
	Blind people will detect the texture of the
	grass and find their way, using the kerb edge
	tactile paving, to the push button.
7	For the same reason the tactile paving stem,
	across the path is not necessary. Red tactile
	paving is not mandatory and in conservation
	areas, not insisted upon by Guidance.
8	The cyclists’ signs need not be on a tall post.
	A low post or stone pillar is neater.
9	Skid resistant road surfaces need not be a
	different colour to the rest of the road.
10	Pedestrian crossings do not have to be
	2.4 metres wide. A more comfortable width
	of 6 metres, is permitted by the pedestrian.
	crossing regulations.

11.2 Urban space

Principles to consider:

Space as an outdoor room     Size as well as proportion     Symmetry     Classical spaces: Bath, Oxford, Rome etc.     Small town square This small market town carpark has been designed with the principles above. The bench is in line with the monument and the parking allows a pleasant view of the monument.

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11.3 Rural traffic measures

CASE STUDY: Clifton, Cumbria Traffic calming in a village by removing signs & lines.
Department for Transport trial project for Traffic Management and Streetscape Local Transport Note 1/08. The objective was to retain or lower the speed of traffic through a mile long rural village on an A road, without resorting to the conventional application of additional signs and lines.

Traffic speeds were lowered by the introduction of a series of road narrowings at regular intervals, each relating to a recognised location in the village: parish church, village hall, school, pub, hotel etc.

The only statutory signs were the 30mph signs at each of the two entrances to the village. All white lines were removed, even at the hump backed bridge.

The road safety aspects are being closely monitored, and the scheme has produced reduced traffic speeds.

The Clifton scheme demonstrates that an unsightly proliferation of conventional traffic signs is not necessary to reduce vehicular speed.

BEFORE: Despite the 30mph signs, high traffic speeds were encouraged by the clear road markings

AFTER: Traffic speeds have been reduced by narrowing the road with a grass verge widened and removing the road markings.

 

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11.4 Urban traffic measures

Urban measures need to consider the local context and character of the area. Signs and road markings should not visually overpower the local buildings and views. Pedestrian comfort and convenience is vital to create thriving urban areas.

CASE STUDY: Kensington High Street As part of a programme to reduce street clutter, guard railing at Kensington High Street has been kept to a minimum at crossings to ensure that the character of the area is maintained. The result has been that accidents have reduced, probably because it is easier for drivers to understand the geometry of the junction and also because pedestrians are less likely to take risks now that the crossing facilities are simpler..
CASE STUDY:	Maid Marion Way Nottingham
Once voted the worse street in the country, Maid Marion way was a typical vehicle oriented inner ring road. Pedestrians could only cross at the roundabout by using the forbidding underpasses. The new scheme, removed both the underpasses as well as the roundabout. Simple to comprehend and use straight-across crossings allow pedestrians to cross infar greater comfort and safety

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