Since sidewalks are usually higher than the automobile road, elevating crosswalks to the height of the sidewalk would create a road bump that forces auto traffic to slow down regardless.
Crosswalks in The Netherlands are basically on top of a large speedbump so it’s even with the sidewalk. For pedestrians it’s a flat surface the whole way, while drivers have to go up over a bump. Some even make the whole center section of the intersection raised, so the whole area between all 4 crosswalks. Often they’re also textured like brick or cobblestone.
On top of the physical height forcing drivers to slow down there’s a psychological benefit, where it innately tells drivers they’re entering a space where they aren’t welcome. As a driver when you go up a hump onto a now rougher road, you go “wtf is happening” and pay much more attention to the road, instead of just going on autopilot.
To elaborate, the Netherlands also has a "Car last" transit policy in both priority of services and law. A pedestrian can deliberately cartwheel straight into the side of a moving car screaming "Fuck You Car Scum!" and the driver would still probably be at fault.
It's Pedestrians>Cyclists>Public Transit>Cars, and where possible these are all separated.
I don't understand.
Since sidewalks are usually higher than the automobile road, elevating crosswalks to the height of the sidewalk would create a road bump that forces auto traffic to slow down regardless.
it's like a really wide speed bump
I mean, yeah. You're an american. :side-eye-1:
Crosswalks in The Netherlands are basically on top of a large speedbump so it’s even with the sidewalk. For pedestrians it’s a flat surface the whole way, while drivers have to go up over a bump. Some even make the whole center section of the intersection raised, so the whole area between all 4 crosswalks. Often they’re also textured like brick or cobblestone.
On top of the physical height forcing drivers to slow down there’s a psychological benefit, where it innately tells drivers they’re entering a space where they aren’t welcome. As a driver when you go up a hump onto a now rougher road, you go “wtf is happening” and pay much more attention to the road, instead of just going on autopilot.
Like this
That's an entrance to a smaller street. The sidewalk is raised.
To elaborate, the Netherlands also has a "Car last" transit policy in both priority of services and law. A pedestrian can deliberately cartwheel straight into the side of a moving car screaming "Fuck You Car Scum!" and the driver would still probably be at fault.
It's Pedestrians>Cyclists>Public Transit>Cars, and where possible these are all separated.