There is an interview available on line from December's 'Wired' about
Hans Monderman, the traffic engineer promoting the concept.
However, as said on here, the Dutch have a different way of doing
things. Aren't drivers automatically guilty if in an accident with a
pedestrian or bicyclist in the Netherlands, or is that urban myth?

Link to article:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1...ffic.html?pg=1

--
Martin @ Strawberry Hill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Arquati"
Newsgroups: uk.transport.london
Sent: Sunday, 09 January, 2005 9:30 PM
Subject: Undressing Exhibition Road


The BBC's term for this idea is a "naked road". Apparently RB Kensington
& Chelsea are considering removing the kerb, traffic lights and signs on
Exhibition Road to trial the Dutch scheme where removal of all barriers
and signs is meant to encourage drivers to be more aware of pedestrians.
This is part of a redevelopment plan for Exhibition Road.

It's an interesting idea; Exhibition Road is an interesting road to
choose too. It has a high volume of pedestrian traffic; however, it also
has a large number of street parking spaces at the southern end. I
wonder if these would be removed under this proposal?

I wonder if anybody has considered the impact this scheme would have on
visually impaired - particularly those who use a long cane - pedestrians.
The kerb, like walls, fences and other street furniture are vital guides as
to one's position on the pavement, and location of buildings and safe road
crossing points - removing the kerb would allow visually impaired
pedestrians to wander into the path of vehicles without any knowledge of the
impending danger.

Robert

Any view expressed are my own and may not be representative of those held by
others.
Remove numbers to reply.

It's an interesting idea; Exhibition Road is an interesting road to
choose too. It has a high volume of pedestrian traffic; however, it
also
has a large number of street parking spaces at the southern end. I
wonder if these would be removed under this proposal?


A few points I have noticed

1. At the bottom of the steps going from the Tanaka building (Imperial
College) the footpath is about an inch wider than the footpath along
the rest of the street. Assuming that this inch of footpath is
privately owned by Imperial College, will it still stay?

2. Why remove footpaths when parts of them were freshly laid last
summer (and are in much better condition than other footpaths in K&C
and Westminster)

3. Is it just the K&C part of Exhibition road which is taking part in
the trial or is the Westminster part doing so aswell?

4. If signs and road markings are to be removed does this include the
parking restriction signs and the double red lines? Does this mean
people can park anywhere?

Chris

wrote:
It's an interesting idea; Exhibition Road is an interesting road to
choose too. It has a high volume of pedestrian traffic; however, it also
has a large number of street parking spaces at the southern end. I
wonder if these would be removed under this proposal?

A few points I have noticed

1. At the bottom of the steps going from the Tanaka building (Imperial
College) the footpath is about an inch wider than the footpath along
the rest of the street. Assuming that this inch of footpath is
privately owned by Imperial College, will it still stay?

I didn't even notice the extra inch. I presume if the pavements were
reduced to road level, some sort of smooth transition would be required
here to maintain level access. Perhaps the road would just be raised to
pavement level instead.

2. Why remove footpaths when parts of them were freshly laid last
summer (and are in much better condition than other footpaths in K&C
and Westminster)

I don't think this plan is imminent - they haven't even launched the
consultation yet. The Sloane Square redesign is much further advanced.

3. Is it just the K&C part of Exhibition road which is taking part in
the trial or is the Westminster part doing so aswell?

The plan is part of the Mayor's 100 Public Spaces programme so
Westminster are likely to take part too, if only to extend up to Prince
Consort Road, after which pedestrian traffic is much lower.

4. If signs and road markings are to be removed does this include the
parking restriction signs and the double red lines? Does this mean
people can park anywhere?

I'm sure some innovative solution would be found...

It is important to note that the "undressing" is only a possibility
rather than a concrete proposal for this scheme.

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London

I heard from a reliable source that there are a group of RAA students who are planning to take the 'Naked Road' notion to what they believe to be its natural conclusion. Their idea is to appear on the street at some point with no clothes on, armed only with easels on which to paint still life... . . Nice idea. Look forward to seeing it .. . if they can find anything still to paint on Exhibition Road.