Aalborg Universitet Bike Infrastructures Report Silva, Victor ... - VBN

5 Shared space in Haren
Shared space is defined as integrated use of public space
by both motorized and non-motorized modes. It is evolved
out of the ‘woonerf’ concept, which is a residential area
with mixed use of traffic and other activities where cars
have to slow down to a walking pace and so accommodate
other usage of the public space. Shared space is
the opposite of modal segregation. In the Netherlands,
shared space is part of the concept of “duurzaam veilig”
(sustainable safe) that aims to design traffic infrastructure
such that it is inherently safe. Shared space impels drivers
of motorized modes to take full account of the slow
modes. This is assumed to lead to safer and socially responsible
traffic behaviour.
The municipality of Haren, one of the more wealthy municipalities
in the agglomeration of Groningen that is the
largest city in the north of the Netherlands, implemented
and evaluated shared space in the Rijksstraatweg in
2002. The Rijksstraatweg is the main road traversing the
town and used to be the major road connecting Groningen
to the south (“Rijksstraatweg” means national road).
However, since a parallel motorway has been built, the
function of the road is mainly local and to some extent
regional. Still, it is the most heavily used road in Haren.
In 2004 8,200 motor vehicles were counted on a working
day. The road crosses the centre of Haren. Figure 5.1
shows the location of Haren in relation to Groningen. The
Rijksstraatweg is indicated in the figure.
5.1 Design
Starting point for the design was making the road an integral
part of the centre. Before, the typical function of the
road was facilitating through traffic and the road created
severance inside the town. The measures to achieve the
intended integration were:
• Removing differences in height at the transverse section
of the road.
• Making the road optically narrower.
• Installing street furniture that is typical for avenues.
• Reducing the maximum speed from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.
5.2 Organisation and implementation
The municipality encouraged participation of citizens in
developing the project. Experts and citizens together dis
cussed about the new design. During the whole process
from planning to completion interested parties were informed.
This policy created a large support among the
citizens for the project. The implementation of the project
was in 2002.
5.3 Evaluation
A few evaluation studies have been executed. These are
summarized by van der Velde and Bos (2008). Evaluated
topics are use of the road, the impact on safety, and the
experience of users of shared space.
5.3.1 Use of shared space
Initially, cars were assumed to use the main lane in the
middle of the road, pedestrians should use primarily the
cussed about the new design. During the whole process
from planning to completion interested parties were informed.
This policy created a large support among the
citizens for the project. The implementation of the project
was in 2002.
5.3 Evaluation
Figure 5.1: Location of Haren southeast of the city of
Groningen.
A few evaluation studies have been executed. These are
summarized by van der Velde and Bos (2008). Evaluated
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