Page 7 - WILMAPCO - Fall 2022
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and the Open Streets Wilmington Steering Committee (which also includes WILMAPCO). The initiative works to plan monthly events through the spring, summer, and fall in which a neighborhood street is closed to and residents enjoy the street as an extension of the sidewalk, creating a park-like environment for outdoor activities. This event also allows residents to experience their street in a different way, and it can help to visualize ways to make their street safer for walking and biking. One exercise that often goes along with an Open Streets event is to create a proposed change could work if it was implemented.
At the July 23 Open Streets event, staff from DelDOT used tape and signs to create a “pop-up roundabout” at the intersection of 16th, Pine, and Jessup Streets. The idea of a intersection has circulated for many years to make the intersection safer for all users. In fact, the roundabout was included as an option for this intersection in WILMAPCO’s 12th
Street Connector report. Though the idea would require more detailed study, it could solve many of the challenges at the intersection.
The purpose of a roundabout is
points” at an intersection by removing
also providing guidance to drivers as to how they enter and exit an intersection. The lane markings and circular movement around the circle causes approaching vehicles to slow down, and vehicles entering the circle are forced to yield to vehicles that are already maneuvering around the circle. There is often a physical curborstructureinthecenterisland so that vehicles cannot ignore the circular movement. This intersection a safer pattern of movement for vehicles, and pedestrian and bicycle crossings are marked to create a safer environment for all users. For more information about roundabouts, visit the DelDOT webpage: www.deldot. gov/Programs/roundabouts/index. shtml.
For the “pop-up” demonstration, volunteers created a 25-foot
using 10-foot sections of yellow tape
circle pavement marking. The mock- up included temporary yield signs at 16th Street and Jessup Streets, as would be included with an actual roundabout. This mock-up example was only in place for the afternoon and evening of the Open Streets event. However, the mockup was very helpful for residents who attended the event to get a better understanding of how the intersection would look if a roundabout were installed.
WILMAPCO and DelDOT staff were on hand to explain how the roundabout would function for all modes of travel through the intersection so community members would understand the impacts. Many attendees left positive comments regarding the circle and these will be used to assess whether this idea can be designed as a solution to current
WILMAPCO has included information
about the pop-up circle on the webpage for the 12th Street Connector, which you can visit and leave your own comments: www.wilmapco.org/12thstreetconnector.
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