Redesigning the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street presents an opportunity to capitalize on the intersection’s unique location at the crossroads of several Brooklyn neighborhoods and its role as a local transit hub. My design pivots on the creation of pedestrian spaces, the needs of bicyclists, and gives priority to public transportation in the vehicular right-of-way while balancing the needs of other vehicles. As all travelers must walk in order to arrive at their final destination, the pedestrian experience is of the highest priority, followed closely by bicycle, bus and subway modes. This hierarchy is realized in the design by:

-Creating a physical environment that is safe for pedestrians and encourages vehicles to travel at slower speeds by reducing lane widths and reclaiming the space for pedestrian use. Curbside parking is placed immediately adjacent to moving traffic to create a buffer between cars and the pedestrian and bike paths. Vehicle chokes points are intentionally created to control vehicle speed and reduce crossing distances for pedestrians.

-Providing dedicated right-of-ways that allocate separate spaces for pedestrians, bikes and vehicles. Pedestrian-bicycle, pedestrian-vehicle and bicycle-vehicle interactions are reduced to occurring at intersections and mid-block locations by establishing independent travel corridors for each mode. At intersections, bicycles are also provided a dedicated queuing area ahead of vehicles occupying the right-turn-only lane.

-Creating new pedestrian spaces in the median of Ninth Street. At intersections and mid-block locations, a new landscaped median running the length of the street would create pedestrian areas that also double as refuge for those crossing the street.

-Activating and expanding the existing pedestrian spaces that are currently available but underutilized. New street furniture and enhanced landscaping on sidewalks, bike paths and medians would encourage residents and visitors to utilize the streets not only for transportation but for leisure. An open air sculpture exhibit occupying the sidewalk and median of Fourth Avenue would be installed to draw pedestrian activity to the area beneath the elevated Fourth Avenue Station.

-Prioritizing public transportation in the vehicular right-of way by reconfiguring the travel lanes to enhance the flow of traffic at bus stop locations. Providing an additional travel lane would allow for buses on Ninth Street to process passengers from a travel lane with minimal disruption to other vehicles. This would also reduce bus dwell times as the bus would not have to re-enter moving traffic. Placing the bus stop near intersections also shortens the distance for passengers wishing to transfer. New bus shelters, subway entrances and the façade of the Fourth Avenue Station would be unified under a common aesthetic theme, making obvious the intersection’s function as a minor transit hub.

The resulting intersection would function not only from a transportation perspective but also provide the community with a safer environment for pedestrian and bicycling activity. The design could also provide an opportunity to involve the community by hosting a competition to determine the subject of the sculpture exhibit. With new public art, pedestrian spaces and an enhanced bikeway, the plan shifts the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street in the direction of becoming a unique community asset.