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Woonerf:
“Woonerf” (“Street for living”) is a Dutch term
for a common space created to be shared by pedestrians, bicyclists,
and low-speed motor vehicles. They are typically narrow streets without
curbs and sidewalks, and vehicles are slowed by placing trees, planters,
parking areas, and other obstacles in the street. Motorists become
the intruders and must travel at very low speeds below 16 km/h (10 mi/h).
This makes a street available for public use that is essentially only
intended for local residents. A woonerf identification sign is
placed at each street entrance.
Consideration must be given to provide access by fire trucks, sanitation vehicles and other service vehicles (school buses and street sweepers), if needed.
• Create a very low automobile volume, primarily on local access streets.
• Create a public space for social and possibly commercial activities and
play by area children. |
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• A woonerf is generally not appropriate where there is a need to provide
nonresident motorists with access to services or through travel.
• The design needs to keep vehicle speeds very low in order to make the
streets safe for children. |
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| The cost to retrofit a woonerf may be quite high, but there would be no extra cost if designed into the original construction. |
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