Honestly, I think the solution is to put an arched bridge over intersections. This lets pedestrians to cross intersections freely without disrupting traffic. The big problem is that this requires a bit more infrastructure, since these bridges have to have ramps for the wheel-chair bound, bikers, and people on crutches. There is probably an disability architect who has calculations and knowledge about the costs and planning this kind of thing would take.
…still, probably cheaper than traffic accidents, even if it initially costs a good bit of dough.
I am guessing that at a four-way intersection, the arched bridge would be an X shape, or Lamda-ish if there are three spots. People move to the center, then point themselves towards their destination. The underside of the bridge can host traffic lights.
Making something like that handicap accessible would unfortunately be a nightmare depending on your local building codes. In my country, a ramp for a wheelchair can have a slope of 5 cm per 1 meter (1:20). So if you were to elevate the wheelchair 3 meters above traffic, the ramp would need to be 60 meters long. But that’s not all. Hauling yourself up a ramp for 60 meters is tiring, so you also need resting spots every 12 meters. These should accomodate being able to turn and should usually be 1,5x1,5 meters. So to elevate a person 3 meters would require a roughly 67,5m ramp. You can get around the resting spots if you make the slope less steep with a maximum of 1:25. If we’re to do this, the ramp will be 75 meters long.
Thank you. This kind of information, while disappointing, is helpful, because architecture is inherently messy, expensive, and has to be thoughtfully planned.
Honestly, I think the solution is to put an arched bridge over intersections. This lets pedestrians to cross intersections freely without disrupting traffic. The big problem is that this requires a bit more infrastructure, since these bridges have to have ramps for the wheel-chair bound, bikers, and people on crutches. There is probably an disability architect who has calculations and knowledge about the costs and planning this kind of thing would take.
…still, probably cheaper than traffic accidents, even if it initially costs a good bit of dough.
I am guessing that at a four-way intersection, the arched bridge would be an X shape, or Lamda-ish if there are three spots. People move to the center, then point themselves towards their destination. The underside of the bridge can host traffic lights.
Making something like that handicap accessible would unfortunately be a nightmare depending on your local building codes. In my country, a ramp for a wheelchair can have a slope of 5 cm per 1 meter (1:20). So if you were to elevate the wheelchair 3 meters above traffic, the ramp would need to be 60 meters long. But that’s not all. Hauling yourself up a ramp for 60 meters is tiring, so you also need resting spots every 12 meters. These should accomodate being able to turn and should usually be 1,5x1,5 meters. So to elevate a person 3 meters would require a roughly 67,5m ramp. You can get around the resting spots if you make the slope less steep with a maximum of 1:25. If we’re to do this, the ramp will be 75 meters long.
Thank you. This kind of information, while disappointing, is helpful, because architecture is inherently messy, expensive, and has to be thoughtfully planned.
… and then there would still be that asshole who would cross the street between the bridges anyway.