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Putting roads on a diet

Posted: 18 Apr 2011, 20:42
by ujoni08
I don't know of any UK roads wide enough for this, but it looks interesting for the US:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/04 ... -video.php

'Sometimes, less is more. Removing lanes from certain roads can - counter-intuitively - help traffic flow more smoothly while making the street safer for cyclists and pedestrians. It can also encourage more people to explore the neighbourhood and be beneficial for local businesses'.

Jon

Posted: 18 Apr 2011, 20:46
by JohnB

Roads

Posted: 18 Apr 2011, 21:10
by ujoni08
Nice 8)

Posted: 19 Apr 2011, 00:53
by vtsnowedin
I've worked on one of these projects in the states. Notice that most of the film is from tropical climates. It works pretty well there where you have bike traffic year round. Here in Vermont you take away a lane from commuters and give it to bicyclist that are only there five months of the year and mostly for recreation not commuting. It is the fashionable thing though and I expect to be building more of them. They should consult with the snow plow driver before they get too carried away with the curb bump outs.

Posted: 19 Apr 2011, 17:13
by energy-village
Good video, excellent idea.

Yep, what's right on one road, might not be right on another.

Posted: 21 Apr 2011, 23:09
by rue_d_etropal
There are examples of this in UK. A few years ago the 2 lane roads approching Halifax in Yorkshire, were reduced to 1 lane. This meant that there would only be 1 lane of polluting stationary traffic, rather than 2. Air quality was thus improved. Not too sure if it improved traffic flow, but my experience is that with ordinary roads, drivers will adapt their routes to reduce time in stationary traffic, not so easy when using dual carriageways and motorways.