pedestrian bulbouts (looking for pics)

[plankton]

Our fair city will (hopefully) be adding some much needed greenery and pedestrian safety to its 'lil downtown core by installing pedestrian bulbouts at a few intersections.

The main roadway in the area has two 12-foot travel lanes with on-street parking allowed on both sides for a total paved street width of 36 feet. Six-foot curbside sidewalks exist along the highway and along the intersecting local streets. The two intersections that I'm most interested in improving have commercial buildings at the corners with zero-setbacks (precluding good site visibility).

If you could post an architectural rendering or a few good pics (or direct me to an applicable website), the next round's on me.

Is there a better name for these things than 'pedestrian bulbouts'?

Lastly, if you have success (or horror) stories in this area, I'd be interested to learn more......

 

[JNL]

Is there a better name for these things than 'pedestrian bulbouts'?

Another name we use is kerb (curb) extensions. I have a few pics, I'll see what I can dig up.

 

[JNL]

Some good links:

http://www.bikewalk.org/walking/design_guide/pedestrian_design_guide_index.htm

http://ntl.bts.gov/display.cfm?sub=e2&cat=5

For a fantastic collection of images:
http://www.pedbikeimages.org/ Specifically - http://www.pedbikeimages.org/searchResult.cfm?searchtype=simple&categoryId=66

 

[plankton]

thank you

now that's service!

 

[JNL]

You are welcome

Some day I might actually get some qualifications in planning!

 

[mike gurnee]

A potential problem is with street cleaning. Chat with your street department about it.

 

[JNL]

Me again....

Here's a pic I took (in Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand):

 

[plankton]

A potential problem is with street cleaning. Chat with your street department about it.

Good point. For better or for worse, I don't think our city sweeps its streets. B-)

 

[Wulf9]

Bulbouts are well worth it. They narrow the roadway where the pedestrian crosses. They also narrow the visual street width (particularly if you have a non-wimpy tree planted in the bulbout) so cars slow down.

Downsides. Drainage has to flow around the bulbout. If they aren't wide enough, parking becomes a nightmare (parkers start too close to the curb and never get their bearings for parallel parking). If they are wide enough, parking is no problem.

 

[jresta]

Drainage has to flow around the bulbout.

Nonsense. The storm drain remains where it is and the original curb line remains intact. A steel or tough plastic covering bridges the gap between the bulbout and the original curb (6-12 inches)quite seamlessly. Water flows unimpeded. Twice a year the fire dept. sticks a hose in there to flush out any problems or the cover is lifted and it gets swept away.