Sane Lane Changes
Next week, E. Lansing's Transportation Commission will entertain the possibility
of improving the walkability, bikability, and drivability of its community.
It will consider a "road diet" for Hagadorn Road.
While changes have been made on Kalamazoo St., Grand River Avenue, Abbott Rd., and others, some community resistance has stifled changes on other corridors. While it's quite understandable these changes could seem negative, studies have proven the opposite....
Interestingly,
traffic
flow remains about the same. Why? For one, left-turning cars are
removed from the line of traffic with the addition of a center turn lane.
The remaining two auto lanes are more than enough to handle the majority of car
traffic demands.
The good news is that dramatic improvements in safety, walkability, and bikability are achieved. A study of Abbott Road 10 months before and after four to three-lane conversion revealed a 44% reduction in overall accidents after three-lane conversion and a 100% reduction in bicycle-related accidents.
Four to three-lane conversions create a nice buffer between the sidewalk and car traffic helping people feel more secure walking. The added bike lanes provide for easier right hand turns. In addition to improving safety by taking left-turning cars out of traffic, this third lane also provides a safer haven for pedestrians attempting to cross busy streets. Some communities install a median or rain gardens to beautify the road and reduce noise and pollution.
A team of MSU students and faculty studied the Hagadorn Road Corridor during 2005 and recommended that the community:
· Add bike lanes and reduce car lanes from: 4 to 3
· Explore feasibility of burying power lines
· Improve lighting
· Improve signage to increase visibility of numerous neighborhood associations and neighborhood parks located in the corridor and alert drivers of school zones
· Add benches and pedestrian crossings
3+2 is greater than 4
Walkable, bicycle-friendly communities are better places to live, according to LOTS of people. A recent survey of 13,000+ MI residents revealed that safe streets and walkability were in the top three of 30 attributes of preferred places to live. (www.coolcities.com). A national poll found that 55% of Americans would like to walk more instead of driving and that 52% would like to bicycle more. Another study of pedestrian-friendly communities determined that homebuyers were willing to pay a $20,000 premium for homes in walkable communities.
The health benefits are also motivating folks
too. Physical inactivity is responsible for over 300,000 deaths annually in the
U.S., costing Michigan $8.9 billion in medical costs, lost productivity and
workers’ compensation in 2002. Environments that support walking and biking --
sidewalks, bike lanes, and connected trail systems are more likely to get folks
moving. Active-friendly
communities can address health expenses by...
· Helping build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints.
· Reducing the risk of developing diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure.
· Reducing the risk of dying prematurely.
· Reducing the risk of dying from heart disease.
· Promoting psychological well being.
· Reducing feelings of depression and anxiety.
· Helping control weight.
NOTE: On Monday, July 17th at 7:30 pm in 54-B City Hall, East Lansing's Transportation Commission will explore another lane change or "road diet" as it has been popularized by walkable community guru, Dan Burden. Still, many roads remain unfriendly to bikers, walkers, and rollers. If you can't make this meeting and would like to voice your opinions, please e-mail tsneath@cityofeastlansing.com and council@cityofeastlansing.com
By LeRoy Harvey