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michaelcoyote wrote >>
Ah, here's the thing I was looking for:CS Monitor
In 2005, the New York Times described the center of Drachten, a Dutch city of about 50,000, which, at the insistence of traffic guru Hans Monderman, stripped away all regulatory traffic control features:Not only was it virtually naked, stripped of all lights, signs and road markings, but there was no division between road and sidewalk. It was, basically, a bare brick square.
But in spite of the apparently anarchical layout, the traffic, a steady stream of trucks, cars, buses, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, moved along fluidly and easily, as if directed by an invisible conductor. When Mr. Monderman, a traffic engineer and the intersection’s proud designer, deliberately failed to check for oncoming traffic before crossing the street, the drivers slowed for him. No one honked or shouted rude words out of the window.
“Who has the right of way?†he asked rhetorically. “I don’t care. People here have to find their own way, negotiate for themselves, use their own brains.â€ÂAccording to a 2006 article Der Speigel, the number of traffic accidents in Drachten “declined dramatically†after the area was redesigned.
I think I agree with John that better design is needed, not better signage..
This reminds me of winter, when the streets are snow-covered. I always find it remarkable how it doesn't trun into complete anarchy without visible lane markings. Everyone seems to pretty much follow the accepted flow.
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