With a plan to add diagonal crosswalks at several intersections in Los Angeles on the table, will the recent shift toward pedestrian friendly streets be enough to make the idea stick?
Soumya Karlamangla reports that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is considering a "controversial initiative" to "install new crisscross, diagonal crosswalks, also known as pedestrian scrambles or, more colorfully, 'Barnes dances' for Henry Barnes, a traffic engineer who promoted their use in Denver 70 years ago."
"Garcetti wants to begin modestly, possibly converting three L.A. intersections near subway stations and gauging how they fit into street management, including the city's carefully synchronized traffic lights."
The article frames the debate over diagonal crosswalks in relation to Los Angeles' traditional politics, still favored by many members of the public, of putting the car first. The city has a long history of adding diagonal crosswalks, only to remove them due to delays and confusion. This time, "Garcetti is studying adding scrambles at 7th and Flower, Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, and Aliso and Alameda streets near Union Station."
FULL STORY: Diagonal walkways put drivers, pedestrians at different cross purposes
Lessons in Congestion Pricing
New York City might need some courage to go through with its idea sto charge drivers to enter parts of Manhattan. Luckily there are International models of success to choose from.
Can Los Angeles Fix its Bad Transit?
Transit writer Alon Levy argues it will take more than system improvements to integrate public transit into L.A.'s urban fabric.
'Barnes Dance' Coming to Montgomery County, Maryland
While popular and common in other countries, the "Barnes Dance" crosswalk is sill catching on in the United States. Montgomery County, Maryland is the latest to test out the "All Direction" crosswalk.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.
When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.
Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service