Living in London these days, you can't help but notice how aggressive the city seems to have become. Cyclists hate drivers, drivers hate cyclists, pedestrians hate cyclists and drivers, and everyone who's not on a bus hates buses. We just don't seem to be very happy on our streets. Sadder still, we've taken for granted that there's not a lot we can do about it.Well, that was until now. For the last few months I've been asking traffic engineers and scientists whether it's possible to rebuild the streets in a way that might make us safer, happier and generally nicer people. One answer is an increasingly popular (if controversial) concept known as Shared Space, which is a way of designing streets without segregating road users. Essentially, everyone is encouraged to use the same street at the same time... there are no pavements as such. Pioneered in Holland, it seems to be working over there by slowing down drivers and making all road users more aware of each other. And it's since been imported all over the world. The most high-profile British Shared Space project is almost finished in London's famous museum district on Exhibition Road (in the photo).
Another solution to maddening traffic junctions is the "scramble crossing", seen in Tokyo and now at Oxford Circus in London. I live very close to this crossing, and have to say, I love it. The traffic lights are still there (it's not a Shared Space) but now pedestrians can cross diagonally as well as on the sides, making it simpler to get from one corner to another.
If you'd like to know more about this and other research into the future of smarter streets, then tune in to hear me on BBC Radio 4 at 9pm on Tuesday 3rd January. There are loads of mind-bending ideas packed into the half-hour show. In fact, since making it, I've been looking at the roads around me with totally fresh eyes... Why is the kerb at that particular height? Why do we have traffic lights? Why do we need signs to tell us to go slower? It may sound nerdy, but it's one of the most fascinating topics I've worked on, so please listen in and let me know your thoughts.
3 responses:
I wonder how much research you have actually done on this.
To say shared space streets are "increasingly popular" seems quite creative. I think rather they are increasingly talked about and the concept is increasingly criticised.
Have you looked at the streets of the Netherlands thoroughly? Have you discussed "sustainable safety" with leading, mainstream Dutch traffic planners and asked them what they think of "shared space"? Do you realise there is probably more shared space in the UK now than in the Netherlands? Do you realise that shared space is entirely atypical of Dutch street design and it has proved to be unpopular there and that early pilot areas are not being extended?
What works in Holland to increase safety is segregation of modes and "sustainable safety". These are what you should do a programme on.
Further reading:
http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2012/01/campaign-for-sustainable-safety-not.html
http://voleospeed.blogspot.com/2011/07/byng-place-and-influence-of-anti.html
http://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/sharing-space-on-exhibition-road/
http://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/the-delusion-of-shared-space-as-an-urban-transport-panacea/
Thanks for your thoughts, David. I hope you get a chance to tune into the show. We have visited Holland and travelled through some of the Shared Space schemes there to find out exactly how they are working. The show's more about the science and engineering behind these schemes, so I hope it will give you an alternative perspective.
Keep up the good work. Best of luck. From www.rakhitousa.in
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