People like to joke that pedestrians and
bicyclists are so prized in Ann Arbor
that running one over is a crime worthy of public capital punishment. Although
that's a bit of hyperbole it's not too far from the truth.Example: The city is holding an
informational meeting on "traffic calming techniques" at 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 in the City Council's chambers, corner of Fifth and Huron streets. Translation:
Coming up with ways to make walking and bicycling easier while slowing down motorists.
Although this often comes off an anathema
in suburbanized Metro Detroit where the cars are kings and pedestrians
foolishly use their legs like a sucker it's just what's needed to make dense
city centers like Ann Arbor
more vibrant.
The meeting will explore ways to slow vehicular
traffic on streets and showcase facts and misconceptions of various traffic calming
techniques. For instance, more stop signs do not necessarily create a safer
pedestrian environment and traffic circles are not inherently dangerous.
Members of the city's engineering staff,
police department and traffic consultants will discuss the principles of
traffic calming, review common traffic calming tools and explain the city's
10-step process to initiate neighborhood traffic calming procedures on specific
streets. Copies of the city's Traffic
Calming Guidebook will also be available at the meeting.
For information, call Patrick
Cawley at (734) 994-6095.
Source: City of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke
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