Wonderful Bronson today.

In the first post of this series, I tried to show that Bronson only looks to have two through lanes in each direction, but functions as two turn lanes with lane-swerving through traffic, the speed of which is set by the fastest driver. The engineering literature abounds with case studies and policy recommendations on what to do with this type of bad road condition: narrow it to three lanes.

The most likely approach that the literature recommends for the section from Laurier to Somerset (given the traffic volumes, number of side streets, driveways etc) is to narrow it to two through lanes of traffic, with a common two way left turn lane in the centre. At the end of this series will be some links to the literature so you read all about the many examples yourself, why they work, etc.

Ottawa is in my opinion a very conservative city. I don’t see city traffic officials getting excited about narrowing Bronson. They currently seem fixated on the Bronson serving rush hour commuter traffic from the suburbs and other cities at the expense of any and all other stakeholders (residents, landlords, businesses, pedestrians, cyclists, transit users).

Given that our patient, Bronson, has clogged arteries, and some advisors want to stuff him with more fat (more cars) … how do we get them to try a diet? My suggested answer lies in the proposed reconstruction of Bronson in 2011-2012. Rather than redesigning the street in a new slimmer body of curbs, boulevards, etc in 2011 why not go on a quick diet this summer.

One night in early August, erase the current painted lines that show four lanes. Repaint with two wider lanes that are friendlier to cyclists and through traffic (but don’t paint bike lanes yet) and a two way left turn lane that is also generously wide (15′).  Just do the section from Somerset north to Laurier, or to Slater if the city feels comfy doing that. Wait and watch. Count the cars. Survey the residents and businesses in October. See if the road can handle the volume safely, and if people are happier.

The traffic engineering literature predicts they will be happier and motorists will drive safer with no delays. If this works, keep it all winter. This diet approach has been proven to work in other northern climate snow cities like Ottawa.

Then, with happy results in hand, finalize the new curb and boulevard designs for implementation in the fall of 2011. The new Bronson would be slimmer, sleeker, with trees on both side boulevards, decorative pedestrian lighting for wider, pedestrian friendly sidewalks. Residents would stop shuddering as they do now at the mere thought of the old Bronson. Accidents would decrease. Travel times would not decrease. Pointe Gatineau commuters would continue to travel through. Landlords will soon see lower tennant turnover. Properties will be fixed up. A traditional main street will get a second chance at life.

All because of a sudden diet, kick started by a new paint job.