Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis installs first pedestrian-friendly ‘Barnes Dance’ crossing
Minneapolis installs first pedestrian-friendly ‘Barnes Dance’ crossing
Final week in Minneapolis, crews put in a brand new site visitors gentle sequence at Richfield Street and West Bde Maka Ska Parkway devoted solely to pedestrians.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The south finish of Bde Maka Ska is dwelling to one of many busiest pedestrian intersections in Minneapolis.
Now town is signaling a brand new strategy to conserving these pedestrians secure.
“We type of checked out all of the crosswalks, and it simply type of made sense and it is nice to have the ability to cross so simply,” stated Lisa Durant, who was out for a stroll across the lake along with her daughter.
Final week, crews put in a brand new site visitors gentle sequence at Richfield Street and West Bde Maka Ska Parkway devoted solely to pedestrians.
After somebody presses the stroll button, sign lights cease all of the automobiles on the intersection lengthy sufficient for folks on foot to cross in any course they need, together with diagonally, on the identical time.
“We thought this might be an excellent location for 2 causes. One, there’s a excessive variety of pedestrians between the lakes right here. There may be additionally a site visitors sample that desires to take folks diagonally throughout the intersection on that very lengthy crossing,” stated Allan Klugman, Metropolis of Minneapolis Principal Skilled Engineer.
The so-called ‘Barnes Dance” is called after Henry Barnes, a well-known site visitors engineer who popularized the pedestrian scramble as it’s recognized within the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s.
Metropolis officers say the sign timing has been utilized in cities like Denver, New York and Tokyo, however that is the primary in Minneapolis and probably Minnesota.
“I believe in previous instances, engineers cared extra about automobiles than pedestrians, however now we’re turning that mannequin round, and we wish to make our intersections extra secure for pedestrians, and this can be a useful gizmo to do this,” stated Klugman.
Folks out for a stroll across the lakes we talked to suppose it is a step in the suitable course.
“I felt like folks, as a result of its totally different, have been taking note of the intersection,” stated Durant.
“I would be down for extra. I would like to see extra of those across the metropolis for positive,” stated Durant’s daughter, Jacklyn Graber.