Locust St. & Olympic Blvd, Walnut Creek
Two new “scramble” crosswalks opened recently in downtown Walnut Creek at the intersections of Olympic Blvd. / Locust St. and S. Main St. Popular in larger cities, the crosswalks are intended to, “make it easier, and safer, to get around by reducing potential conflict between pedestrians in crosswalks and vehicles making right.” according to a city press release.
From the press release:
These intersections will now have three signal cycles: one cycle just for vehicles traveling north and south, one cycle just for vehicles traveling east and west, and a third cycle just for foot traffic (pedestrians or cyclists walking their bicycles). During the third cycle, those on foot may cross in any direction, including diagonally.
I’ve tried walking across them and it’s somewhat useful although unlike larger cities with massive amounts of people crossing I would be wary of cars that may make right turns unaware that people may be approaching diagonally. Check out the sign below which was placed next to the crosswalks. “All pedestrian movements allowed only on walk“. What do you think of these new crosswalks?
Sign:
Scramble crosswalk diagram:
