Case Studies from Foreign Countries
For a better understanding on how we can improve the pedestrian congestion, we adopt a variety of oversea case studies, and examine their applicability to Hong Kong. 3 significant case studies are discussed in detail in the following part*:
UK: Oxford Circus Improvements
At Oxford Circus, significant pedestrian overcrowding due to the great pedestrian demand can be observed. Excess street furniture and associated street clutters further intensified the problem. Convoluted pedestrian routes also contribute to the problem, so the UK government decided to make certain changes on it.
Fig.1. Oxford Circus
(obtained from www.daily.co.uk)
Copenhagen: The introduction of pedestrian zones
In Copenhagen, overflows of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be observed, and the design of the old city is incapable of such huge volume of vehicular traffic. Moreover, crowded sidewalks create indecent conditions for both pedestrians and bikers.
Fig.2. Streetscape of Copenhagen
(obtained from layoverguide.com)
How it improves the situation:
1. Up to 63% widening of footways are located
2. Increasing the usable space by 69% on street by removing street clutters
3. Redesign of pedestrian crossings
Applicable in Hong Kong?
1. Hong Kong’s streets are full of space-wasting facilities, such as phone booth, railings and excessive sign poles. However, they are all managed by different departments, in which the bureaucracy makes the street furniture removal plan a quite time-consuming one.
2.Due to the hilly nature of the streets in HK island, it is hard to widen the actual width of the street. However, this plan can be applied to Kowloon or New Territories, where more flat lands can be located. A traffic impact assessment scheme would have to be conducted as well if we do implement the plan.
How it improves the situation:
1. Introduce pedestrian zones which are areas of a city or town reserved for pedestrian-only use. The area is car-free, except trucks delivering goods to retail shops.
2. Improved conditions for pedestrian and bikers encouraged people to walk and cycle, hence reducing vehicular traffic.
Applicable in Hong Kong?
There are already some sound examples in Hong Kong, e.g. Sai Yeung Choi Street and part of Lockhart Road. But these cannot compare with the scale of the one implemented in Copenhagen.
Despite concerns over the pedestrian zone before the implementation, the pedestrian zone proved to be a success with increased amount of shoppers and cafes. The area also attracted some high profile luxury retail chain stores.
By the account in Denmark, the discrete pedestrian zones in Hong Kong certainly can expand to some major roads, so as to improve pedestrian environment and alleviate the heavy vehicular traffic. Such move could also ease noise and air pollution form generated by vehicles.
US: Establishment of Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and drafting of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
Pedestrian accidents with vehicles are very common in Georgia, and she has experienced a growth in pedestrian fatalities since 2001. Georgia also ranks first in the U.S. for school bus fatalities. The main reason for such accidents and fatality rate is that the local, state and regional officials focus too much on relieving congestion for motorists rather than protecting pedestrians.
Fig.3. Pedestrian & Streetscape
Guide
(Obtained from website of GDOT)
How it improves the situation:
1. The main goal for Georgia State Department of Transportation (GDOT) is to promote bicycling and walking as mobility options in urban and rural areas of the state, and they have drafted a "Pedestrian & Streetscape Guideline" for cities as references.
2. Measures mentioned in the guideline include incorporating design of pedestrian friendly streets, which intends to enhance the safety, security, comfort and mobility of pedestrians when planning and design at the local and regional level.
Applicable in Hong Kong or not:
1. The Commission in Georgia mainly deals with pedestrian safety while the Pedestrian and Streetscape Guide aims at addressing walking is a primary mode of transportation. In Hong Kong, although pedestrian safety is not a pressing problem to be dealt with, it is applicable in Hong Kong that a guideline addressing the pressing problem in Hong Kong, pedestrian congestion to be drafted.
2. A Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee in Georgia is set up to draft the guideline; no new department is needed in Georgia because “better pedestrian planning” is already one of the most primary goals of the Department of Transportation in Georgia. However, as pedestrian planning is not of the concern of departments in Hong Kong, it is applicable and more appropriate for Hong Kong to set up a department concerning pedestrian planning in particular.
*For all the case studies we have conducted, please click here to see the summarized table.