Traffic garden layouts are typically small in scale, prompting many people to create their own layouts for installations. Nonetheless, it's important to recognize that not all layouts are created equal and that it may be hard to know the difference until you are using the traffic garden. The following list offers pointers gleaned from our observations in the field and interviews with practioners over the past few years. These tips prioritize safety and clarity, highlighting best practices for layouts while also pinpointing common pitfalls to avoid.
Involve the community in planning the layout: First up, involving community stakeholders can help ensure that the installation reflects local design ideas and features. Drawings are a good way to communicate and provide a mechanism to allow people to add their input.
Don’t break traffic flow conventions: New learners should readily grasp how streets and intersections work: the mini-street network should mirror real world operation, albeit simplified. Avoid confusing lane choices at intersections otherwise riders will make up their own rules!
Seek design clarity: Use straightforward street segments, standard roadway signs and consistent colors for striping pavement markings. This helps develop an intuitive experience for new learners and mirrors how we use roadways in everyday life.
Don’t overlook buffer zones: Having a recovery zone several feet wide is fundamental to the safe operation for new learners. No setting up scenarios where kids are riding straight towards hard corners of buildings or along drop offs close to outside lane edges.
Vary the difficulty level: Challenge learners by including a variety of street zones, features and crossings. Kids can graduate up within the small world!
Don’t invent new roundabouts: Kids love roundabouts! However, roundabout operation should reflect how they work on public streets. No stop bars, pedestrian crosswalks or two-way travel on the central circle. No stop signs on the approaches even if you live in a city where they do this on the public streets which is a different discussion.
Use roadway arrows: Deploy arrows in the middle of lanes as clear directional cues to guide new learners on the correct direction of travel. A traffic garden is a great place for learners to practice street sides which is suprisingly not intuitive.
Don’t create unbikable segments: No hairpin turns and super-short cross streets. Avoid multiple stop intersections close together as new learners have a hard time restarting their pedalling (and create traffic back ups).
Make a loop: Create a path through the street network that has no stop intersections (yields are fine). This allows enthusiastic learners to pedal forever within the small space.
Don’t overlook pedestrian lessons: Make space for crosswalks and pathways. Mid-block crossings are a great way of adding paths and on-street yield interactions when space is tight.
Make it fun! The traffic garden should be a welcoming place. Adding colorful features and creative elements tell kids this is the place for them!
