[sustran] Re: Pedestrian overpasses

[Walter Hook]

we've been asked to advise on this issue in many cities and under many
contexts.  I believe that some basic general principals can be followed but
also a gut feeling is usually to be trusted.  People can normally cross two
lanes of reasonably high speed traffic reasonably easily but not three or
more if they are not at a traffic signal that is going to be respected.
 even two lanes are hard if the average speeds are very high, but as a rule
of thumb, i would say two lanes of mixed traffic, at grade, and three lanes
of mixed traffic probably a flyover is better.

w.

On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 5:47 AM, Colin Brader <brader at itpworld.net> wrote:

> Dear Carlos
>
> I think you may be generalising a little. Having undertaken  user needs
> analysis, as part of developing a BRT conceptual design in the
> Philippines, I have found a strong preference for at-grade crossings. I
> believe it is then the designers job to either ensure that the at-grade
> crossing is safe - adequate green times for predicted pedestrian volume,
> appropriate sight lines and signal design, or if the locality is such
> that safety cannot be assured, design an over bridge that does not
> require overt effort to use. The designers appraisal must take full
> consideration of the conditions within which the crossing is being
> placed.
>
>
> Regards
> Colin Brader
> Director
> Integrated Transport Planning Ltd
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sustran-discuss-bounces+brader=itpworld.net at list.jca.apc.org
> [mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+brader <sustran-discuss-bounces%2Bbrader>=
> itpworld.net at list.jca.apc.org] On
> Behalf Of Carlosfelipe Pardo
> Sent: 15 March 2010 01:42
> To: Global 'South' Sustainable Transport
> Subject: [sustran] Pedestrian overpasses
>
> Hi,
>
> The issue of everyone preferring pedestrian overpasses instead of
> level-crossings is pretty much ubiquitous in developing countries in
> Asia and Latin America (I assume Africa, but I don't know this as a
> fact). But the most interesting part is that many "experts" and even
> pedestrians prefer those overpasses, and when asking for "safety" in a
> crossing they ask for an overpass instead of an adequate crossing! I've
> been shouted at in meetings where I deny the need to have a specific
> overpass and urge planners to design a crossing instead... they don't
> understand that overpasses should be the last recourse, that they are
> also much more expensive and provide a very negative message to many
> (you, pedestrian, must do extra effort to cross, while the car must just
>
> whizz by).
>
> This just shows how much we still have to work on these issues...
>
> Best regards,
>
> Carlos.
>
>
> On 12/03/2010 01:25, jane. wrote:
> > Here there is no reason given. Like most things in China, they simply
> just one day appear. Well, it was announced in the newspapers just
> before construction started, but as I recall, they were simply notices.
> But I suppose the justification would be something along the lines of
> "improving traffic."
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Eric Britton<eric.britton at ecoplan.org>
> > To: Cornie Huizenga<cornie.huizenga at slocatpartnership.org>;
> jane.<voodikon at yahoo.com>
> > Cc: Salil Bijur<salilb at gmail.com>; Global 'South' Sustainable
> Transport<sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org>;
> Kanchan<kittykanchan at gmail.com>; JasonChang<skchang at ntu.edu.tw>
> > Sent: Thu, March 11, 2010 11:04:11 PM
> > Subject: Pedestrian Budget
> >
> > Just to be sure I understand rightly the basics on this one.
> >
> > The idea, if one scratches, is to get the "other stuff" - i.e.,
> walkers,
> > cyclists -- out of the way of motorized traffic so that drivers can
> arrive
> > unencumbered and on time at their destinations? (No matter how the
> concept
> > is otherwise billed.)
> >
> > Do I have that right?
> >
> > Kind thanks for informing,
> >
> > Best/Eric Britton
> >
> > PS. If anyone is up to it, this could be  an excellent truth-seeking
> piece
> > for World Streets, with the necessary independent balanced coverage of
> > course. Candidates?
> >
> >
> >
> > Note: New Paris tel. +331 7550 3788 . Kindly change your records.
> >
> > World Streets  .  www.worldstreets.org
> > 8/10, rue Jospeh Bara  .  Paris 75006 France
> > +331 7550 3788  .  eric.britton at newmobility.org  .  Skype newmobility
> > New Mobility Partnerships   . www.partners.newmobility.org
> > 9440 Readcrest Drive  .   Los Angeles, CA 90210
> > +1 213 984 1277 .  fekbritton at gmail.org .  Skype ericbritton
> >
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------
> > To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit
> > http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=014715651517519735401:ijjtzwbu_ss
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------
> > If you get sustran-discuss via YAHOOGROUPS, please go to
> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real
> sustran-discuss and get full membership rights.
> >
> > ================================================================
> > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred,
> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries
> (the 'Global South').
> >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------------
> To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit
> http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=014715651517519735401:ijjtzwbu_ss
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
> If you get sustran-discuss via YAHOOGROUPS, please go to
> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real
> sustran-discuss and get full membership rights.
>
> ================================================================
> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred,
> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries
> (the 'Global South').
> --------------------------------------------------------
> To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit
> http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=014715651517519735401:ijjtzwbu_ss
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
> If you get sustran-discuss via YAHOOGROUPS, please go to
> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real
> sustran-discuss and get full membership rights.
>
> ================================================================
> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred,
> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries
> (the 'Global South').
>



-- 

Walter Hook
Executive Director
Institute for Transportation and Development Policy
127 W 26 St, Ste 1002
New York, NY 10001
1-212-629-8001
www.itdp.org

Promoting sustainable and equitable transportation worldwide.