Cities rethinking one-way streets.

As gas prices rise and pedestrian/bicycle traffic rates increase, many cities, like the city of Danville Illinios and Eugene Oregon are reconsidering one-way traffic in their downtown areas. Slowing traffic and restoring two-way streets makes our urban centers safer, commercial store fronts more visible, and reduces traffic noise.

The city of Richmond Virginia breaks down the benefits of two-way streets vs. one-way steets on the Urban Richmond Blog as follows:

Reasons for converting to 2-way streets:


• Slower traffic speeds.
  
• Decrease “Vehicle Miles Traveled” by eliminating indirect routes (driving around the block to get to your destination).
  
• Increased access to businesses.
  
• Possibly: safer for pedestrians.

Reasons for maintaining 1-way streets:


• Conversion is very costly.
  
• 1-way streets allow for more cars, thereby decreasing congestion.
  
• Easier than 2-way streets to time stoplights (timed lights improve traffic flow and decrease idling (& therefore pollution)).
  
• Fewer turn prohibitions.
  
• More on-street parking.
  
• Possibly: safer for pedestrians.

One factor they leave out is bicycle safety. Turning left across two lanes of one-way traffic can prove deadly to cyclists. However, with a two-way street, bikes can maneuver into the vehicle lane to make turns, only having to cross one lane of oncomming raffic. This makes the maneuver easier for the cyclist while, simeultaniously making the bicycle more visible to vehicles.

I think this a key factor. Especially here in Eugene where bicycle traffic is very-much on the rise.

For more information:

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Many cities changing one-way streets back - USA Today
10th Avenue now goes both ways - Eugene Register Guard
Eugene looks for direction on wavering Willamette - Eugene Register Guard
One-Way vs. Two-Way Streets: Let the Debate Begin
- The Urban Richmond Blog
Bike vs. Vehicles: Collision of Cultures - Eugene Register Guard
Studies Refute DOT’s Claim That One-Way Avenues Are Safer - StreetsBlog.org