Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

HorsieJuice t1_je5vzif wrote

Reply to comment by engin__r in Demolition proposal sparks debate in Hampden by locker1313

You have to think about commercial and emergency traffic. 37th is a problem for them because of the speed bumps (yes, they could possibly be removed) and most of the north-south streets are pretty narrow.

1

engin__r t1_je5xhlh wrote

Emergency traffic can go through pedestrian-only zones (usually with movable posts or bollards). Commercial traffic can go through alleys and/or use smaller vehicles. There are plenty of pedestrian-only areas around the world that have thriving businesses because of the lack of cars, not in spite of it.

2

HorsieJuice t1_je634ra wrote

Commercial traffic can go down alleys? lol okay

0

engin__r t1_je66f3e wrote

You do know that the city fits trash trucks down those alleys, right?

I think if you look at the traffic on 36th street, very little of it is commercial or emergency vehicles. We could still let those vehicles in (and encourage hand carts/kei trucks whenever possible, and require permits) while still restricting everyone else. We don’t need to leave the Avenue open for people to drive through or park their personal vehicles.

3

HorsieJuice t1_je6avnq wrote

Those aren't standard garbage trucks that go down the alleys; they're smaller than normal. I don't know that they're custom per se, but they are somewhat specialized. I've gotten many deliveries to my back entrance and you can't fit anything wider than a van down there.

Very little of the traffic on any surface street is commercial or emergency, but you still need the ability for them to get through. And it's not just about deliveries to businesses on that section of street - it's also about through traffic going from one side of the neighborhood to the other.

0

engin__r t1_je6bsa4 wrote

Yes, and they make specialized small delivery trucks, too.

People who need to get from one side of the neighborhood to the other would be able to do so. The Avenue would still be open to everyone for walking and biking.

If you’re going farther than just around the neighborhood, you could use Falls, Hickory, Keswick, or Beech.

3