“Walk in confidence”

Imagine walking with your children to the transit hub on Sip Avenue in Jersey City or any major city. With your eyes concentrated on your well being and safety you start observing the intricate details of your commute that could easily lift the burden of your travel. First observation by walking would start with the travel and experience. The sidewalk experience and the pros and cons to effective connection to your destination.

“Jersey City Walks” is a workshop focusing on walk ability in Jersey City peers in on the effectiveness of public safety. Whether there commute to work or daily travels. Focusing on the authentic and ultimate experience for the users of the city. The initiative of the program the organization wants to initiate bump out modifications, street signage and improve sidewalk rest stops.

(Picture1) Above-example of sidewalk safety in most cities that needs upgraded

Visualize yourself walking on a sidewalk as you leave home. Your hands are burdened by purse, stroller, briefcase or children. As you pull out your phone, you notice the sidewalk and it’s faultiness. Safe sidewalks require even, well-maintained pavement, with no trip hazards. To expand inclusive communities and comply with the law, sidewalks must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Thoughtful design and development choices can support communities and improve their local economies and the lives of their residents.

(Picture 2) Illegal parking of firetruck and construction fence that closes the sidewalk while pedestrian (with a stroller) has to cross into the street with child creating a safety issue for the pedestrian.

Let’s progress to the effectiveness of bump out sidewalks and the effectiveness, while walking on the sidewalk. Colorful extensions added to the pavement for your safety and time. Creating an extension allows the safety and time to cross with confidence. With the added experience of the colorful, experience, the children will appreciate it. Curb extensions increase the overall visibility of pedestrians by aligning them with the parking lane and reducing the crossing distance for pedestrians.

(Picture 3) Example maple of curb extensions.

(Picture 4) Curb extension installed for pedestrian safety.
(Picture 5) Rest stops on sidewalk parking to give pedestrians and commuters a safe free zone to rest.

Here are some of the benefits of curb extensions:

• Increased pedestrian visibility at intersections through improved sight lines
• Decreased pedestrian exposure to vehicles by shortening the crossing distance
• Reduced vehicle turn speeds by physically and visually narrowing the roadway
• Increased pedestrian waiting space
• Additional space for street furnishings, plantings and other amenities
• Reduced illegal parking at corners crosswalks and bus stops
• Facilitated ability to provide two curb ramps per corner

States are acknowledging the program and its benefits. Austin, Texas, has transformed busy street intersections with curb extension and the public really enjoys the security. “It's a testament to the character and energy of Austin,” says Marissa Monroy, public relations specialist for the city of Austin. “People are really excited to see a project that emphasizes safety but, at the same time, really shows that we like to have a little bit of fun".

(Picture 5) Austin, Texas, creative approach to curb extension.

All states should adapt to this standard of walkability. With all intricate changes for the safety of commuters, public knowledge is key. But officers and emergency vehicles should only abuse these initiatives if only there was an immediate emergency. Safety is affected, as it may urge people to illegally cross the road, which in turn puts them at greater risk to traffic accidents. Additional concerns the increased chances of getting fined by authorities. There are key points of improvement to true walkability in any city.

(Picture 6) Example of importance that public officials are unaware of the bump out system.

The Solution

The solution is simply urban planning. Strategies of altering and adding to the infrastructure can solve the use of public space to improve livability of the area. It is important to realise that successful planning techniques can often solve more than one problem and that urban problems are often linked with each other and environmental health. Once appropriate sidewalks are in place, people need ways to safely cross from one side of the street to the other, which brings us to crosswalk placement and marking.Crosswalks must be placed in areas where drivers have clear sight lines while also considering appropriate locations for ease of pedestrian travel.

We as architects, and urban designers firmly believe in the core principles of urbanism and safe communities. A movement that aims to develop the quality of life through sustainable urban development and creation of user friendly neighborhoods. A key tenant of urbanism is walkability, which we value as designers. People need community design features like recreational space, safe streets, landscaping, outdoor play space because it can contribute to enhance the neighborhood identity. With all of our projects, it is essential for us as architects to develop designs that are not only beautiful but resource efficient embraces its inhabitants, and foster vibrant communities.

We appreciate what Jersey City Walks is doing. Creating a safe city, drivers and enhancing pedestrian safety. This overall vision and strategy are a great initiative for the advancement of public safety.

Citations
National Association of City Transportation Officials “Urban Street Design Guide” Island Press. 2013 Web.

National Association of City Transportation Officials “Transit Street Design Guide” Island Press. 2013

“Creating a new model for a healthier commute”

Why do we believe in public transportation? 

Transportation is about more than just moving people from point A to point B. It’s a system that can either limit or expand the opportunities available to people based on where they live. In many cities, the areas with the shadiest access lack investments which leave many Americans without easy access to jobs, goods and service. The only way to move is with cars.

Contamination to yourself and the Environment.

Creating a healthier commute starts with commuters learning of the effectiveness of public transportation and the effect it would have on the environment and yourself.

One issue is contamination with using personal transportation; I mean Cars. This affects the culture and many ways.When commuters use private cars, the effect of pollution to the environment is elevated.

Driving can be highly stressful when you are stuck in a traffic jam, which happens in cities, especially during rush hour. Most commuters spend at least two hours a day commuting to their destination. Driving-related stresses can cause heart diseases and psychological problems. “The longer amount of time you spend in a car getting to and from work, the more time pressure you feel and the lower your overall satisfaction with your life,” explained Margo Hilbrecht, Ph.D., an associate director of research for the Harvard University.

With the focus of a good public transportation, it can help societies thrive. Just look at the image below.
Image 1. For every one bus, it replaces 30 cars. And with effective trains the carbon impact would drastically be reduced.


More people riding buses and trains mean fewer cars on the road, which translates into less smog and greenhouse gas coming from our tailpipes. Yes, many big buses spew more tailpipe emissions than cars, until government officials approve eco-friendly electric buses, those buses will be making their routes today no matter how many passengers are on board. The benefit of less pollution and a healthier culture is vital. Once a new model is created by government parties the momentum of the effectiveness of public transportation will thrive.

Not the correct direction for the economy

Politics portray a primary role in any aspect of planning, but none such more than transportation planning and the investments and policies that go into constructing the aspects associated.

Our government officials play both positive and negative roles in public transport planning, policies and investment; as it shapes decision-making and the degrees of financial support that is given to each project. Because politics brings both positive and negative effects to public transport planning it can both promote and block development. Government parties should compromise on an agreement that repairing and developing a new model for public transportation is the best model. With repairing train system tracks, train frequency and security of the users. Creating an effective model for transportation should be the message created.


Image 2. Light rail user waiting for New Jersey Light Rail


Zoning code/Restrict parking

One element with true walkability in cities is master planning in cities for transportation. The state of New Jersey, and many other cities suffer from strict zoning codes for on-site parking.

The parking ratio for residential units is relatively low, which is beneficial at making cities less dependant on cars. The initiative should aim at improving public transportation.

But the starting point should be amending and improving public transportation. Of course, this doesn’t depend on each individual city, which makes everything more complicated.

This depends on the interconnectivity with different cities and even at state level. Once we improve the quality of the public transportation, their frequency, their safety, we should focus on reducing the parking ratio in each urban plan.

Let’s take as an example Jersey City in New Jersey. People live in Jersey City because of the urban lifestyle, and still need cars. Why? Many of them often work in other towns in NJ. In most cases these commuters traveling can’t find trains to get them to their destination in other towns, especially when train frequency is low. Others, especially families with young kids, can not rely on the low frequency or very crowded public transportation.

So, when the zoning codes doesn’t allow parking on site, or their ratio is very low, people park on the streets (anywhere on the street). This brings congestion for parking, people spend time looking for a parking, with some parking in illegal parking spaces, like the corner intersection, which can cause accidents for lack of visibility.

And, of course, we believe that when designing the master plan for cities the encouragement of cars should be minimum to assist in creating a stress free experience.

So, what is the solution?

More frequency between transportation routes and a reliable system schedule.

Our government and city officials should collaborate with the community about public transportation in their neighborhood. The issues heard can initiate a dialogue to revamp connectivity and protect commuters safety. Case example,when recently visiting The Liberty Center Science Museum in Jersey City with my two children. The transient route, reliability and connectivity should be easier. I could easily take the light rail in Jersey City to the Science Museum, but the system on weekends proved hard to travel effectively with children. The New Jersey Light Rail was long with its frequency and a challenge with traveling with children especially in winter. Most families explore on weekends, and in any city not just New Jersey. Frequent routes to destinations, accessible stations and path would create less of a challenge especially when traveling with children.

Connectivity

If we want people to take advantage and use the transit system we must create a transit point. Interconnecting storage should be adequate to the users with any mode of transportation. Walking to the closest bus route or train route is beneficial to a healthy and thriving community.

It is time that we unite the parties involved with public transportation infrastructure and help shape the future of commuting. At JMA our design team is focused on strategizing new ways to maximize walkability when we are in the design planning process. It is essential for us to create effective architecture for our clients focused for the community. It is very rewarding when true innovation reflects the future plan of the client and the city it encompasses. If you would like to learn about our commitment to walkable cities, contact us.



Citation
Jason Margolis, “Why taking the bus is better for our health.” PRI “The World”. October 28, 2015. Web

https://www.pri.org/stories/2015-10-28/why-taking-bus-better-our-health-driving


National Association of City Transportation Officials “Transit Street Design Guide” Island Press. 2013 Web