POP-UP EVENT – Safety Improvements for all Users – Tuesday, August 4th 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Safety Improvements for all Users
Pop-up Event – Tuesday, August 4th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm
at the intersection of South 2nd and St. George Streets
The Borough is doing a temporary pop-up project to test some road safety improvements. The goal is to slow traffic and increase user safety in an area that is already undergoing stormwater construction. For this pop-up project, there will be an opportunity to stop by on site and talk with borough representatives and be part of the design decision making. Attendees will have the chance to provide feedback and learn more about the Complete Streets Policy and road safety initiatives.
The intersection of South 2nd and St. George Streets will be/has been temporarily transformed with some demonstration elements, specifically temporary curb extensions. This is being done in connection with the Borough’s recently adopted Complete Streets Policy. This project, also called a demonstration project, introduces road safety/public space improvements on a trial basis.
- Why these projects are important — Pop-up/demonstration projects allow communities to test ideas and designs that have worked in other places to see how well they are suited to the specific location. They afford a lower cost/lower stakes opportunity to make an initial design and then work to improve it for the future, based on experience and feedback. They are a great way to increase municipal responsiveness and allow for short-term action in the field of infrastructure where issues may be very urgent or timely but plans often take years to come to fruition.
- How do they benefit pedestrians — Pop-ups are a way of quickly introducing road safety and public space improvements, typically based on the federal list of Proven Safety Countermeasures. So, they are intended to make the street safer.
- How do they benefit car drivers — Road safety improvements that help people walking and on bikes also make the streets safer for drivers. When done right, streets that are more inviting for people outside of vehicles also mean that more people can and do walk or bike, which reduces traffic congestion and competition for parking. Everyone uses multiple modes, so safer streets are also there for drivers when they emerge from their vehicles.
- How do they benefit businesses — Places with safe, accessible, and inviting connected networks for walking, biking, using wheelchairs and connecting to transit are places people want to live, work, and spend time — and money — in. Through car traffic is less likely to translate into sales, but foot traffic does! The ultimate goal is safer speeds and more street life.
