In an effort to improve traffic safety measures, the town council of Poynton, England, has decided to remove all sidewalks and street lights.
This may sound contradictory to the town's endgame but it turns out, getting rid of these excess safety precautions may actually be the safest thing to do. As reporter Martin Cassini explains in the video, the lights are often the reason people speed and take risks, but once the traffic lights are removed and there is a sense of uncertainty, people tend to approach intersections with more caution. Drivers slow down considerably and pedestrians find it easier and more convenient to cross roads wherever they need to.
The experimental traffic safety measures of Poynton improve the use of public space.
Road Light Removal Experiments
The Town of Poynton Implements Drastic Traffic Safety Measures
Trend Themes
1. Traffic Safety Experimentation - Road light removal experiments are demonstrating that reducing excess safety precautions can improve traffic safety measures for pedestrians and drivers alike.
2. Urban Planning Innovation - The Town of Poynton’s removal of all sidewalks and street lights inspires a new wave of urban planning innovation centered around creating open and safe public spaces for pedestrians and commuters.
3. Sense of Uncertainty Design - Poynton’s experiment proves that creating a sense of uncertainty can promote caution and safety, inspiring a new design trend, particularly in the creation of intersections, crosswalks, and other high-risk areas.
Industry Implications
1. Smart Cities - The Poynton experiment creates an excellent opportunity for smart cities to develop technologies that support urban planning innovation and improve traffic safety.
2. Transportation - The experiment creates an opportunity for transportation companies to design new safety measures that take into account the benefits of uncertainty in promoting cautious and safe behavior.
3. Architecture and Urban Planning - The experiment highlights an opportunity for architects and urban planners to design spaces that promote safety through a sense of uncertainty, while still creating functional and appealing public spaces.