Intersection of Ruys de Beerenbrouckstraat with Princes Beatrixlaan
A Dutch intersection:
Description:
As you can see from the picture, this is a protected intersection with separated tracks for cyclists and pedestrians that protect them from cars. There is a substantial offset between cars and the rest of traffic, and additionally motorists stop several meters before the cyclists and pedestrians do. Due to these features the intersection feels more comfortable to cyclists/pedestrians and also makes their crossing distance shorter. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists all have different signal phases, which resolves any car/bicycle conflict. Cyclists and pedestrians are given a head start on right-turning cars, as their stop lights turn green before that of the cars does.
Observations and interesting details:
While cyclists wait a reasonable amount of time, pedestrians rarely make it across the street in one trip. Pedestrians are forced to stop at the refuge island half-way through the intersection, even though the distance to cross the entire street is not that long. A woman who lived nearby stopped us and complained about it, since she has to cross the intersection multiple times a day. It takes about 65 seconds for the second pedestrian light to turn green. Another nice feature is the “wacht” signal:
This can be triggered by a button and everyone uses. It visually displays a countdown until the pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to cross. There are many street lights but it is very pleasant to use and everyone respects the rules. Another interesting feature is a copper wire on the ground, right before the bike’s stop line. When cyclists ride over the copper wire it functions as a detector, feeding information to the traffic lights. The bikes ride over the copper wire, more time is allotted to cyclists to cross the street, so that everyone can make it across in one trip.
Back home in Boston:
I can think of an example where this intersection would be really useful. Tremont Street in Boston actually has a good amount of bike lanes that are used by an increasing number of people to commute to work (particularly near Northeastern University, which is right by this intersection). There is a very nasty intersection at Tremont and Melnea Cass Blvd., which also has a bike path right next to it. Both streets have many pedestrians and cyclists (as well as lot of motorists), yet the intersection has an extremely long wait for the former two, so pedestrians and cyclists almost never wait and jaywalk instead.
Motorists tend to be very aggressive and never yield, which makes the intersection scary. A dutch-style intersection would be a big step forward in actually acknowledging cyclists and pedestrians by giving them more time to cross, more frequently. Non-motorists could also use the protection of an offset and stop lines at different distances. This would also calm the crazy traffic car-traffic at this intersection.
(Street view of Tremont and Melnea Cass. Note the Melnea Cass Bike Path)
(earth view of the exact same intersection)
