LINCOLN AT MINNESOTA AVENUES — BLIND SPOT ("MAKE THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE")

A look at the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota Avenues, although a south bound motorist can't really see around the corner... or if someone has just entered the crosswalk.

This is the location of the 23 January 2015 accident involving a Willow Glen Middle School student. She was seriously injured by a motorist as the car turned the corner from Lincoln onto Minnesota. Stakeholders SGV covered that story and exposé, here.

File photo from before the road diet, with two trucks parked.

Recent photo as of March 2015, showing blocked line of sight, even after the road diet installed.


 

Stakeholders SGV has recommended that a bulb-out (curb extension) would be a remedy.  See that advocacy point made in our position paper, here.

BULB-OUT as a traffic calming method on Lincoln at Minnesota intersection. 

If we look at the above "bulb out" design, its most important feature and benefit  is "making the "invisible, visible. ”  That's by putting the users of the street where they can see each other.   In other words, a car motorist can see a pedestrian or bicyclist around the corner, as well as vice-versa.   

A bulb-out, in place at the north-west corner of Minnesota at Lincoln Avenues, could have prevented an injury accident, when a motorist hit a Willow Glen High School Student on the corner of Minnesota at Lincoln Avenue (i.e., January 2015). 

Professional Department of Transportation (DOT) designers should put safety first.   We need a street where people feel safe! It’s a 'quality of life” issue; wherein, good street design creates a more livable community.

A fundamental characteristic of a successful "road diet" (a.k.a., lane reduction) is that it creates an opportunity for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to move through the street network; that's while simply and easily minimizing the unexpected, the confusing and the potential for surprises.   We call this a sharable, safe street.  In a livable and green community. 

As we look at our own Lincoln at Minnesota Avenues, it is especially important that we focus on elements of DESIGN that make the street safe for all. 

THAT INJURY ACCIDENT OF THE SCHOOL STUDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.  WE MUST MOVE TO A "VISION-ZERO" INITIATIVE.