A “World Class Intersection,” prioritizes first pedestrians, then bicyclists, before vehicles. With that in mind, we had to make sure that there was a separation of travel for all three components. In our design, we took into consideration the community of Brooklyn, different backgrounds, and the well-being of the people traveling through this busy intersection.
For pedestrians we designed a bridge located above the center of the road, with access to all the streets at every intersection. This elevated ramp allows for people to stay away from all vehicular traffic and keep them out of harm’s way. This ramp can also be used to cross the street at major intersections, so people can cross at their own pace. The ramp would be useful for those who want to enjoy the scenery and sightseeing of New York’s historic and cultural sights.
We also separated bicyclists to keep them away from the vehicles and the walking pedestrians. So we designed a separate set of bicycle lanes, one for each direction, located under the pedestrian bridge. The lanes are enclosed by the structure of the pedestrian bridge above to be protected from all vehicles and separated from pedestrians. In a sense, both pedestrians & bicyclists are in a central location, out of harm’s way, with access to either side of the street.
To reduce traffic impact and increase safety, we also designed alternate solutions to promote public transportation with separate bus stop lanes. Enclosed and heated bus stops were designed to shelter pedestrians as they wait for public transportation. On the sidewalks, parkways were designed to separate the cars from the locals and people with access to the local shops and churches.
Additionally, for the cars we maintained access for the same amount of traffic, but put in many traffic calming designs. We narrowed the streets by providing angled parking; thus being safer and more efficient. We added speed bumps to reduce the velocity of the traffic throughout the longer lanes, as well as neckdowns and raised crosswalks at the intersections. These measures are known to reduce vehicle velocity to promote pedestrians safety.
Our overall design makes sure that the three different components of traffic on the streets are securely divided. This separation brings safety, efficiency, practicality, and innovative design to all three aspects of this plan: pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. With this design people will be protected in a comfortable manner. They will also be able to enjoy the pleasures the city has to offer, while being able to benefit from all the scenic views offered by this elevated pedestrian bridge.