08-31-2017, 01:51 PM
You don't count the curb width in measuring a vehicle lane width so it should not be counted here either. So you can lop off 20cm on each side (40cm total) of those estimates.
The actual usable width is probably about 1.5 m. (The tactile plates are a standard width of 50cm(?) or 60cm(?) x 2 = 1.0-1.2m + about 1/2 a tactile plate width or 1.25 to 1.50m total).
Where is Markster's tape measure (a la Queen and Charles) when we need it? :-)
I agree that the cross is ever so slightly better than before, but I am getting soooooo tired of the lack of thought that goes into these "improvements." Do it right the first time! No doubt some pedestrians may feel safer crossing here now, but in reality a small curb (and possibly railing) will do little to actually protect them if a vehicle were to hit the island at 70kph.
I think 1.8m for a bike with trailer is an underestimate unless you stand diagonal and block all other users from using the crossing. I think island for the IHT at Queen is about 2.4m and that feels dangerous at times and traffic there is usually limited to about 50kph.
According to the Ontario Traffic Manual,
"The smallest desirable island is one that has a minimum area of 20 m2. The refuge island area should be wide enough to accommodate a person pushing a stroller or walking a bicycle (with a child trailer attached) or at least 1.8 metres. Larger islands may be required to accommodate other features such as wheelchair ramps, pedestrian storage, cyclists with trailers and traffic signs. In general, the design should consider the requirements of the pedestrians that will be using the facility."
How hard is it to actually think about how people might use these facilities?
The actual usable width is probably about 1.5 m. (The tactile plates are a standard width of 50cm(?) or 60cm(?) x 2 = 1.0-1.2m + about 1/2 a tactile plate width or 1.25 to 1.50m total).
Where is Markster's tape measure (a la Queen and Charles) when we need it? :-)
I agree that the cross is ever so slightly better than before, but I am getting soooooo tired of the lack of thought that goes into these "improvements." Do it right the first time! No doubt some pedestrians may feel safer crossing here now, but in reality a small curb (and possibly railing) will do little to actually protect them if a vehicle were to hit the island at 70kph.
I think 1.8m for a bike with trailer is an underestimate unless you stand diagonal and block all other users from using the crossing. I think island for the IHT at Queen is about 2.4m and that feels dangerous at times and traffic there is usually limited to about 50kph.
According to the Ontario Traffic Manual,
"The smallest desirable island is one that has a minimum area of 20 m2. The refuge island area should be wide enough to accommodate a person pushing a stroller or walking a bicycle (with a child trailer attached) or at least 1.8 metres. Larger islands may be required to accommodate other features such as wheelchair ramps, pedestrian storage, cyclists with trailers and traffic signs. In general, the design should consider the requirements of the pedestrians that will be using the facility."
How hard is it to actually think about how people might use these facilities?
Everyone move to the back of the bus and we all get home faster.