The redesign of 9th Street and 4th Avenue focuses on creating a hierarchy of uses, creating unique areas for each mode of transportation to thrive and operate independently and safely.

Pedestrians: Pedestrian safety is the chief concern regarding the intersection redesign. Sixteen foot sidewalks on 4th allow areas for walking traffic, building users to exit without running into others, area for sheltered bus stops or subway stations, and benches for people to sit. Creating a generous area for pedestrians keeps people from stepping out into the street to avoid obstacles or delays. Creating medians in between major transportation modes along the street allows pedestrians places to safely stop along the large intersection if an emergency arises. On 9th street, where sidewalks are 23’ wide, there is enough space for local residents to gather, walk their dogs, or even allow children to play without creating obstructions. The green median on 9th creates a buffer between the residential neighborhood and the street, and further defines the street character as a slower and more pedestrian area.

Cyclists and Buses: Cyclists are very vulnerable in areas of high traffic, and considerations have been taken to make sure that vehicles and bikes can coexist safely at varying speeds. Similar to bicyclists, buses often slow traffic, and involve many pedestrians getting on and off the bus, so the redesign creates ways that traffic can continue and pedestrian safety is maintained. For the ease of both bicyclists and buses, there is an access lane for the slower transportation modes. Buses can run independently, staying on schedule and keeping traffic unobstructed. Pedestrians can easily get on and off the bus without worrying about surrounding traffic. On 4th, the dedicated bus lanes along with the subway entrances together create a hub where alternate transportation modes create a small transit center and again reinforce the pedestrian’s role. Cyclists also have a bike lane next to the median on both 4th and 9th, where they can travel without interfering with the high speeding vehicles and connect with the subway or bus if needed.

Cars: Currently, cars dominate the street with little attention to space for parking, cyclists, and buses. With the median blocking the access lane to the sides of the street, there is space within the median’s width in the new design for parallel parking. The median gives those getting out of their car a place to stand and wait to cross the access lane, as well as eliminating the habit of double parking. The dedicated turn lane within the center median also creates a space for turning vehicles to move aside for traveling vehicles. Because the new scheme includes dedicated areas for people to both park and turn in dedicated lanes, an access lane for buses and cyclists only, and wide sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrians, the cars become acutely aware of the alternate modes of transportation surrounding them. However, their physical separation through medians allows the cars to move freely through the traffic lanes without obstruction.