Chicago's first pedestrian scramble, or "Barnes Dance", at the downtown intersection of Jackson Blvd. and State St. Pedestrians are allowed to cross all directions, including diagonally, every three light cycles. All vehicular turns have been prohibited to improve traffic flow. ; Credit: Kevin Zolkiewicz/Flickr
You may have been to an intersection or two in Los Angeles where there are crosswalks built diagonally, so as to allow pedestrians to cross from one corner of an intersection to the other. Could we be seeing more crosswalks like this popping up across the city?
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is looking at an initiative that would install these diagonal crosswalks, also known as pedestrian scrambles or “Barnes dances,” because of traffic engineer Henry Barnes, who advocated the use of pedestrian scrambles 70 years ago in Denver. The crosswalks would stop traffic in all directions, allowing pedestrians to cross to any side of the intersection. Studies show that these crosswalks are safer for pedestrians, but they can also be a headache for motorists, who have to wait longer at red lights than they would at an intersection with normal crosswalks. Supporters say that pedestrian scrambles would not only make it safer for people walking in L.A. to cross the street but also increase the walkability of the city. Opponents say
At this point there are no plans to move forward with the initiative and it has not been proposed in front of the L.A. City Council.
How do you think pedestrian scrambles would change the pedestrian landscape in Los Angeles? Would you be more likely to walk to a destination if it were easier to cross the street in certain locations?
Guest:
Jim Moore, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Civil Engineering, Director of USC Transportation Engineering Program
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