Shared Street Research Paper

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Imagine a street that no longer needs traffic lights or traffic signs. A public space that allows both automobiles and pedestrians alike to share the road. Children laugh and play in the street, pedestrians cross where they please, and cars and bikes safely drive through to their destination (Hockenos). Although this street will not work in all instances it can and has been implemented before. In the Netherlands, a shared public space like this one is called a woonerf (Biddulph). This type of street can be found all over the world (Hockenos). The main goal of a woonerf or a shared street is to create a space that accommodates pedestrians and the community as well as controls traffic (Hockenos). A shared street is an idea that could change the …show more content…
This type of street has been implemented in many places all over the world. Each street design is guided by a set of main goals. One goal of a shared street is that it is a residential area (Ben-Joseph). In the city of Delft in the Netherlands woonerfs were created as part of the residential homes (Institute of Transportation Engineers). Shared streets are designed to create a safe space that brings the community together (Department of Transport). Another design goal of shared streets is the residential priority over motor vehicles. The street can contain comfort objects like chairs and tables for residents, and have parking locations for the cars traveling through (Institute of Transportation Engineers). The design of the shared street will allow for different activities to happen (Department of Transport). Activities in the space are designed for pedestrians, but allow traffic to travel through (Department of Transport). The Department of Transport for England states, “Motorists should feel that they are a ‘guest’ in the street”. Traffic going through the area should not impede the events happening in the space (Department of Transport). Even during the design process residents should be involved in the creation of the street (Department of Transport). Another design principle in most shared streets is the …show more content…
These types of streets differ from their European counterpart, but still share the goal of creating a street that is given back to the pedestrians (Smart Growth America). These types of streets were first conserved in 2003 (Zehngebot and Peiser). Complete streets were created to give all users of the street the same treatment (Zehngebot and Peiser). Complete streets in America have car lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, large shoulders, landscape elements, public transit, curb extensions, and many other elements that add to pedestrian comfort and safety (Smith, Reed, and Baker) (Zehngebot and Peiser). Streets like these are designed to be shared by all users (Smart Growth America). In America the design of each street will change based on the context of the area it is designed for (Smart Growth America) (Smith, Reed, and Baker). The popularity of complete street caused it to grow rapidly; new policies for complete streets began to be written (Zehngebot and Peiser). Today the Department of Transportation has policies that require transportation projects to incorporate safe walking and bike facilities (New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center). The policies and implementation on complete streets have improved public safety and health, improved the environment and, improved the economy (MARC). Complete streets provide safe ways for pedestrians and cyclist to travel (MARC). They promote healthy

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