While not yet widely implemented in the United States, scramble intersections make life considerably safer and easier for pedestrians and drivers.
Rachel Quednau discusses the benefits of pedestrian scrambles, using her current hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as an example. The intersections allow pedestrians to cross in any direction while keeping cars from turning. They work especially well, says Quednau, in areas with lots of pedestrians and on stroads, the street-road hybrids that can be treacherous for pedestrians to cross:
For me and my fellow walkers, it’s far more efficient to be able to safely cross to the diagonal corner of a street in a matter of seconds, protected by a light, than to fearfully wait for a break in traffic to dart across. It also seems more efficient for cars to then travel through the intersection on a green light without needing to worry about interactions with pedestrians during their trip.
She also argues that pedestrian scrambles are cost effective to put in, requiring only the adjustment of intersection signals and some public education about how to use them. In addition, she says that while the research on pedestrian scrambles is relatively scant, what is available suggests that the intersections do improve public safety.
FULL STORY: A Pedestrian Scramble Can Make an Intersection Safer For Everyone
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals
Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.
Pittsburgh Excels at Low-Cost, Quick-Build Traffic Calming
The city’s traffic calming initiative has led to a 6 percent average reduction in speeds on corridors with recent interventions.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie