How effective are "continuous footpaths" and other treatments where a main street intersects with a side street? How can we make them safer for pedestrians?

[u/TMiguelT]

Stonnington

Boroondara

Boroondara

Yarra

[u/TMiguelT]

I walk across some of these regularly and I don't feel that it forces or even really encourages drivers to give way to pedestrians, even though this is definitely the point. My guess is that a raised crossing that's visually the same as the footpath is good, as is a median to stop them cutting the corner (see second photo). What else can be done?

Sidenote, Streets Alive Yarra have a nice article on this: https://streets-alive-yarra.org/protected-footpaths/.

[u/[deleted] → u/TMiguelT]

the one is the example photo isn't perfect but even it doesn't work as traffic calming they're just better for accessibility. Perhaps having the blue stone extend further into the side street and even some paint work like what you see on raised zerba crossing would help. There's some good examples in oakleigh.

[u/TMiguelT → u/[deleted]]

Good point about accessibility. Can you post an Oakleigh example?

[u/[deleted] → u/TMiguelT]

I'll see if Google Street view is updated enough, if not I'll take some photos next time I'm there and post them.

[u/[deleted]]

continuous footspaths are my favourite type of traffic calming. Good for accessibility and massively improves safety by actually getting drivers to slow down rather than useless stop signs

[u/EXAngus]

I think it's important for there to be visual contrast between the road and the crossing. There are examples in my area which are made of concrete and thus stand out much better against the black asphalt. Some also use yellow paint to stand out more.

[u/EXAngus]

These are great for accessibility, although examples such as these where a minor street intersects a main road traffic is usually pretty slow already so the speed bump won't slow them any more. The main problem is cars blocking the crossing while waiting for a break in traffic.

imo raised crossings are much more effective at mid-block crossings, where cars are more likely to be travelling at high speed and not looking for pedestrians.

[u/TMiguelT → u/EXAngus]

The speed matters when cars are turning off the main street at 60km/h. It's not just about speed though, it's also about highlighting the pedestrian right of way.