Doing More With Less

Linda Baker, writing in Salon (daypass or subscription), reports on an interesting trend in urban planning: so-called "second generation" traffic calming. The idea is that by reducing or eliminating things like turn lanes, traffic signals, and even lanes--combined with an increase in road use by bicyclists and pedestrians--you create a shared anarchy which forces a change in driving habits. A motorist must keep an eye out not just for other vehicles, but for everyone using the road.

Baker cites examples of this working in places such as Northern Europe, England, and even China. Take a look if you don't mind waiting through a fifteen second ad.

Unfortunately, I doubt this would work here in the South on a general level, although I could see some potential in certain neighborhoods. And, while not really on topic, I'd absolutely like to see automotive traffic banned from the French Quarter. The streets weren't designed for fossil burners, and it shows. Let taxis drive on certain streets, sure. And the service vehicles--yeah, you have to allow them to get in as well. But half the fun of the Quarter is stumbling from one watering hole to another--unless you encounter the ire of someone in an SUV, pissed at the world because he or she can barely navigate down Bienville Street.

Man, I gotta get down to New Orleans soon. It's been almost a month, and even then, I was only there for the last Sunday of Jazz Fest...