Child-oriented Traffic Planning and City Planning

Starting point:

Children have to learn and practice a lot until they can safely move in traffic. But it`s not only our task to make them aware of rules, but naturally it` s our goal to plan in accordance with kids necessities. 

In the past decades, children` s issues have not really been incorporated in the city`s traffic planning. A child has to learn how to act correctly in traffic.

Today, there are still areas that are not sufficiently equipped for cyclists and pedestrians, especially since children and cyclists are not very well represented. 

Things have changed for the better since then, to a positive note. It is understood now to protect the weakest link in traffic. Slowing down traffic brings more safety for children and older people as well as less noise for all citizens.

Getting rid off former “mistakes” is a big task, and it can be very helpful if children are involved in the planning process. 

Some of those “mistakes” can be lessened and/ or eliminated by improving measures and regulations. Part of that is an integrated city- and traffic planning which covers the needs of future users in regard to planning modern roads with today` s knowledge of science and technology .

Detailed Suggestions:

• Applying safe speeds by certain structural planning as well as by radar control.
• The planning of static traffic (parking) will assure the safety to cross the road in regular intervals.
• Keeping intersections clear
• Equipping bus stops with crossing assistants (primarily behind the bus).
• Regulating speed limits to 30km/h and/ or crossing assistants in front of schools and recreational facilities.
• Assuring short walking distances from homes to schools and recreational facilities.
• Implementing an integrated city- and traffic planning.
• Involving children in the planning process.

Involvement of Children:

The involvement of children has the advantage that kids and young people can identify with their town, they learn to love it, and they develop a need of wanting to live in their city. (Compare Kleinschmidt, Waldemar (1997): Kinderfreundliche Stadt – Herausforderung an Jugendhilfe und Stadtplanung, S. 8, publisher: Verein für Kommunalwissenschaften e. V., Berlin 1997).

• Up to the age of 4 children can`t differentiate between parking and driving cars.
• Children believe that they will be seen by an approaching car in the same way as they see the car themselves.
• Starting at the age of 8 they use their hearing in traffic.
• At the age of 9 children can estimate distances.
• And at the age of 9 up it`s possible to perceive speed.
• At the age of 12 the visibility is fully developed.

Therefore, an approaching danger from the side will hardy be registered. (VCÖ (Publisher) (2004): VCÖ- Leitfaden für Gemeinden- Maßnahmen für ein kindergerechtes Verkehrssystem, Wien.)

This „ expert knowledge “, should be integrated early on as part of the planning process. There are different ways with it, e.g.:

Elements of a child-oriented traffic planning. (Dörner, Christiane (1997): Anforderungen und Möglichkeiten der Partizipation von Kindern, Beispiele aus Karlsruhe, Stadt Karlsruhe. In: Kinder- Leben in der Stadt- Herausforderungen an Jugendhilfe und Stadtplanung, S. 82, publisher: Verein für Kommunalwissenschaften e.V., Berlin 1997).

Check List for a Child- Oriented Planning:

For each plan in the city area the following points should be considered to assure the safety:

Pedestrians walking with traffic  

• Network of sidewalks
• Easy accessibility of main destinations and parks.
• Increase the minimum width requirement for side walks.

      Pedestrians crossing traffic  

• Easy and clear planning for children in regard to traffic lights, crosswalks and crossing places.
• Visibility of children especially for other road users (forwarded side squares).
• Convenient location, to avoid unnecessary detours.
• Regularity/ frequency. 

     Bus stops

• Bus cape (raised sidewalk to assure boarding of bus at the same level) is usually better than a lay-by/ slowdown or back up of the flowing traffic.
• Securing of a crossing point (if possible right behind the stopping bus).
• Location at main/ central points and appropriation of use.
• Adequate size of the stop where people can stand.
• Continuality.

     Parking

• Availability and synchronization of sidewalks to parking spaces.
• Regular intervals of the lay-by with a forwarded curb ridge as crossing tool.
• Keeping crossroad areas clear, crossing points in main areas (building curbs into the road and marking them with pollards).

Traffic Space Planning IAW Utilization and Valid Speed limits 

• Design (material, shrubbery, curb stones or a separated system, variety, equipment, assignment of parking areas, etc.
• Width
• Proportion ate length, primarily of speed 7- areas.

Each Traffic Space Planning Should adhire to the Following Requirements: 

Clarity, ascertainability, traffic ability and recognize ability- especially for children!