INFORMATION #1 06-16-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FROM TRAFFIC CALMING TO CIRCULATION PLANNING There are two stages to traffic calming and circulation. STAGE I (easy remedies) * Signs * Striping * POlicy enforcement STAGE II (harder remedies) * Street closure * Speed bumps * Turn prohibition * Controlled access * Barriers * One way streets * Traffic circles Traffic circles are created by putting a circle median in the center of an intersection. The traffic must slow down to drive around the median when crossing the intersection. ACCESSIBLE SIDEWALKS This session addressed the particular problems faced by various types of disabled pedestrians. What may seem to be a solution for a blind pedestrian, could be an obstacle for a pedestrian in a wheelchair, and vice versa. PROBLEMS FOR WHEELCHAIRS * Slopes in sidewalks * Curb ramps * Width of sidewalks * Inaccessible cross buttons at lights * Cracked or poorly maintained sidewalks PROBLEMS FOR BLIND PEDESTRIANS * Items in walk pathS * Protrusions above where walking stick could locate before pedestrian runs into it * Need texture and sound to guide their path * Gradually sloped curbs (such as ramps for wheelchairs) are confusing to nonsighted people * Crossings that don't stay green long enough to cross and that have no sound signal that it is nearing a red light * Cracked or poorly maintained sidewalks ZONING THE BIG BOX This session addressed the issues related with the "Big Box" store, such as the impact on the downtown area, consistency with city plans and policies, the change in the community character, and the loss of prime agricultural land. PROS OF BIG BOX * Increased tax revenues * New jobs for the community * Better prices and more shopping choices * Fewer trips to other communities to purchase needed goods