Shared Space Conference - What Really Works

RUDI – 3rd Annual Sharing the Streets Conference
Better Streets – What Really Works?

I think about Shared Space?
So..what do we know about Shared Space?

Phil Jones

Phil Jones Associates sustainable transport solutions

What is Shared Space?
LTN 1/11

Sharing: The ability and willingness of pedestrians, facilitated by the
sympathetic behaviour of motorists and others, to move freely around
the street and use parts of it that, in a more conventional layout, would
be considered largely dedicated to vehicular use.
In the UK, it is usually applied to links and minor junctions with the aim
of allowing pedestrians to move more freely within the space.

Er…is that it?


What is Shared Space?
Manual for Streets 2

With less or no traffic management, or clear indication of priority,
motorists are encouraged to recognise the space as being different
from a typical road and to react by driving more slowly and responding
directly to the behaviour of other users (including other motorists) rather
than predominantly to the traffic management features.


When does a space
become shared?

Decreasingly segregated
Guardrails Conventional Low kerbs, Level Surface,
kerbs, different common material Minimal/No
materials delineation

Increasingly shared

Increasingly cooperative


Business as usual


Re-balancing – “fair shares”


Shared Space - Link


Shared Space -
Junction


When does a space
become shared?


LTN 1/11


What are the benefits?
There is sufficient evidence to suggest that well-designed schemes in
appropriate settings can bring benefits in terms of visual amenity,
economic performance and perceptions of personal safety.

MVA – Appraisal of Shared Space, for DfT (2009)


DfT - Mixed Priority Route
Demonstration Project – 2003 to 2008
• 10 Demonstration sites across England
• Busy high streets with problems
• Tackled through urban-design led,
consultative approach
• Several schemes include ‘Shared Space’
elements
• Significant safety, environmental and
economic benefits


Newlands Avenue, Hull


Speed, before and after


Newland Avenue - Outcomes

• Maximum traffic speeds reduced significantly, but

• Peak journey times reduced or stayed constant

• Accidents reduced

• Air quality improved

• Economic performance improved


Julian Road, Bath – Before
9 Accidents in 3 years

Julian Road, Bath – After
No Accidents in 3 years

“This Local Transport Note (LTN) is mainly
concerned with the use of shared space on
links.”

So let’s talk about links...


What do we know about...Links?
Reducing the degree of segregation between users
produces slower traffic, more pedestrians using whole of
the space – MVA Research.

But...

Getting drivers to cede to pedestrians on links is difficult


At low vehicle flows, it doesn’t matter...
Milsom Street, Bath

Clip by John Emslie


At high vehicle flows, it’s not so easy...
Blackpool Promenade


And if the scheme looks pretty conventional...
City Beach, Southend


Perhaps a few signs
will help...

Er, maybe...


MVA research for DfT - % vehicles giving way


High Street, Shrewsbury


Bury St Edmunds


Hennef, Germany


Bern, Switzerland


And if no (or as well as?) median... crossings!

LTN 1/11


Rotorua, New Zealand


Ashford


Felixstowe


And what do we know about...Junctions?

• Queues and delays can reduce when controls are removed/reduced
• Drivers are more willing to cede priority at junctions
But:
• Junctions without any traffic rules are very difficult to model.


Seven Dials, London

Drachten, Netherlands


Poynton, Cheshire


Poynton


Waterloo Road, Blackpool


Bexleyheath


Conclusions

Shared Space schemes in the UK are generally working
well, and
Can be applied to both links and busy junctions
Which have different characteristics and requirements
In many cases, some form of median or crossing will be
needed if we want drivers to cede priority
More research needed on linkage between behaviour and
environment

pj@philjonesassociates.co.uk

Twitter.com/Phil_PJA

0121 222 5422


Shared Space Conference - What Really Works

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