Chinatown's senior population may make up the majority of pedestrian traffic through the bustling neighborhood. From their experiences, some of the most used streets and intersections are not as safe as they should be. The walk to and from various places like the grocery shop on Stockton and the open space of Portsmouth Square, proves difficult when each and every intersections endangers these seniors. Cars speed down Clay and Washington catching the momentum moving downhill, even through Kearny, as they transition from highway to residential streets. Watching as each car speeds down the street, these seniors refuse to cross until they know they will have a full green light, half a light just isn't even. Even with a full green light, they would prefer an extra five seconds just to add a sense of security and well being when crossing a wide and bustling street like Kearny.
When I go to cross a street I look both ways ensuring my safety. But what is to stop a racing car zooming up to me without me noticing. This is what often occurs with these seniors. Cars often speed up to an intersection, and often not braking early enough coming up to a green lighted right hand turn. Late braking combined with slow moving and low visible seniors can essentially cause dire accidents. Intersections like Clay and Kearny is a prime example. Car zoom past as they turn into and down Clay, sometimes having to brake extra hard as they neglect the pedestrians walking across. SImiliarly, the intersection that connects Columbus to Montgomery is a scary cross for any pedestrian. An almost blind turn for the vehicle as they zoom down Columbus and into Montgomery. A scary situation for anyone when a vehicle can easily run an yellow or red to endanger any pedestrian attempting to cross.
From what I have heard, dangerous problems can be easily fixed. Longer lights and slower speeds is the best solutions. But a better system in pedestrian management will work too. Implementing a longer lead system or even the scramble system can ensure pedestrian safety
~Simon
When I go to cross a street I look both ways ensuring my safety. But what is to stop a racing car zooming up to me without me noticing. This is what often occurs with these seniors. Cars often speed up to an intersection, and often not braking early enough coming up to a green lighted right hand turn. Late braking combined with slow moving and low visible seniors can essentially cause dire accidents. Intersections like Clay and Kearny is a prime example. Car zoom past as they turn into and down Clay, sometimes having to brake extra hard as they neglect the pedestrians walking across. SImiliarly, the intersection that connects Columbus to Montgomery is a scary cross for any pedestrian. An almost blind turn for the vehicle as they zoom down Columbus and into Montgomery. A scary situation for anyone when a vehicle can easily run an yellow or red to endanger any pedestrian attempting to cross.
From what I have heard, dangerous problems can be easily fixed. Longer lights and slower speeds is the best solutions. But a better system in pedestrian management will work too. Implementing a longer lead system or even the scramble system can ensure pedestrian safety
~Simon