Design keys for pedestrian-friendly boulevards

Here are some of Jacobs, Macdonald, and Rofé’s recommendations on what a multiway boulevard should have if it is to perform well for pedestrians: • Uninterrupted median strips should separate the through lanes in the center of the boulevard from the access lanes, which run parallel to them. • To deter speeding, the access roadway (which is generally one- way) should be relatively narrow and should have only one lane of moving traffic. There should be on-street parking on one of both sides of the access roadway, slowing traffic and making pedestrians feel more protected. • Access roadways should be controlled by stop signs at every intersection. • A slight change of level or paving or both can help distinguish the access ways from the central throughway. • There should be a strong line of densely planted trees along the medians, continuing all the way to the intersections. • Placing transit stops, kiosks, or benches on the median strips between the through and access lanes will encourage people to cross from the sidewalk to use them. Medians can accommodate many uses, and may have sidewalks and bicycle paths. The median is a place where pedestrians can safely pause while crossing the boulevard.