Sidewalks

[krillbee]

The "cars lining the street" complaint is an odd one, given that generally they serve to slow down traffic, provide a buffer from street and sidewalk, and overall contribute to GREATER, not less, pedestrian safety.

I agree. Cars pulling into parking spots on the street definately helps slow passing traffic down. I believe it makes things safer overall. Many suburbs don't realize this in their planning.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by krillbee

The "cars lining the street" complaint is an odd one, given that generally they serve to slow down traffic, provide a buffer from street and sidewalk, and overall contribute to GREATER, not less, pedestrian safety.

I agree. Cars pulling into parking spots on the street definately helps slow passing traffic down. I believe it makes things safer overall. Many suburbs don't realize this in their planning.

I don't think cars lining the street changes my speed at all. I drive the same speed on Minneapolis streets with cars lining them as I do on any road in the suburbs without cars lining it. I have never noticed anybody speeding down suburban streets around me because cars were not lining it.

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by moving123456

I don't think cars lining the street changes my speed at all. I drive the same speed on Minneapolis streets with cars lining them as I do on any road in the suburbs without cars lining it. I have never noticed anybody speeding down suburban streets around me because cars were not lining it.

I'm not a traffic engineer or an urban planner, and don't know the official studies on the matter, but it's my understanding that cars parked on the street generally serve as a form of traffic calming; now for you, personally, your speed may remain the same, but I believe the general idea is that a street with no cars is wider, has a more "tunnel" effect, and many drivers do in fact get lulled into the sense that they can go faster than they should.