A new “continuous sidewalk” in #Kitchener. The design differs from regular sidewalks in that it doesn’t dip down to road level at intersections. It continues at an uninterrupted height. This slows cars turning onto the street + reinforces pedestrian priority through the intersections. Same at the driveways, so you don’t get the up-down “roller coaster effect” when you’re #walking, #cycling or using a wheelchair.
I find those confusing - drivers see a crosswalk, trail users see a yield sign. Sure, if everyone tries to yield to everyone else, nobody gets hurt, which is the important thing.
But can you imagine the uproar if it suddenly became normal for drivers to arrive at four-way yield intersections, where they're expected to engage in a contest of passivity, and the person who goes first has to come away from the exchange wearing an "I'm the asshole" badge?
Jason Thorne
KathyReid
dragonfrog