Dublin - BusConnects

Isn't bus stop islands, where you have to cross a cycle lane to get from footpath to the bus stop, a standard part of BusConnects infrastructure proposals and no lights required? Why would that location need them?

It's apparently due to representations from visually impaired groups who don't like the concept of bus stop islands. Whilst I can understand their concerns, the design is in widespread use in Ireland and elsewhere without any major issues, and this over-engineering is unlikely to make them any safer for the reasons mentioned in previous posts. Most cyclists will stop or slow to let pedestrians across, the type that won't stop probably won't pay any attention to the signals anyway. The idea that cyclists are some major threat to pedestrians is bogus, and generally only raised to deflect attention from the risk posed to both by drivers.

zebra markings on the cycle path to indicate priority would be more than sufficient. and what on earth is the second set of poles for? and why are they so tall? Designed (like much Irish cycling infra) by someone who never cycles.

What a load of nonsense can people not look and use their own judgement

This isn't a "cycle motorway". It's a narrowed 1.5m wide cycle lane to be used in only one direction. This is far plonking a bus stop on the Grand Canal Cycle Route. The NTA have narrowed the cycle lane near these bus stops to prevent overtaking from occurring.

Wow that's a bit of a push. My point is clear.

If that's the best you can do to argue against a pedestrian crossing for visually impaired people, then you're losing your argument.

"There are no definitive levels of traffic flow that one can say require particular types of crossing.  It is the combination of the number and type of pedestrian movements, the road width, traffic speed, traffic volumes, etc.  The presence of significant numbers of vulnerable road users such as unaccompanied children, elderly people, visually impaired pedestrians and wheelchair users may require a controlled crossing regardless of traffic volumes. "

Given that unaccompanied children, elderly people and visually impaired pedestrians are more likely to use public transport than others, a controlled crossing would be justified. They are not any more likely to use a shop though.

This is designed for visually impaired members of our community. The fact that other pedestrians won't use it is correct and also completely irrelevant.

You're assuming visually impaired people will happily take a leap of faith at a zebra crossing. A light controlled crossing will give more comfort. This is what their community asked for. They asked them. They responded. Do you just not care about their lived experience and opinion?

It's a major assumption that continental Europe has designed it's infrastructure with visually impaired people in mind. Do you know that for a fact? In my experience, a huge number of European cities don't even have audible prompts at pedestrian crossings.

Dicing with death? Sorry yeah, I'd forgotten how deadly light controlled pedestrian crossings are.

Anyway, just to be clear I've no issue what sort of crossing they choose, providing it's one that works for all members of our community.

You've summed up my actual issue nicely in your last comment "they look stupid". This is the reason people here are against them, which is not an acceptable reason to dismiss people's needs.

The cycleway doesn't look finished in that picture. Probably needs a finishing surface which level it up nicely to the path.

Any news on the bus corridor for greenhills and rathmines areas?

Have we an ETA yet? 😬

Moving a discussion point here from the other Bus Connects thread.

I am wondering if the full impact of College Green pedestrianisation on Bus Connects has been discussed.

As you can see below, buses will use College Green North / South only with no East / West routes. A key part of Bus Connects is connections around O'Connell Bridge, so all major spines need to intersect here. Additionally, turning in any direction on O'Connell Bridge wants to be severely limited or eliminated to decrease pedestrian conflicts.

With all that in mind, the resulting plan (below) leaves the core city centre areas almost entirely void of Public Transport. Not by design - but I don't believe anyone has discussed the impacts of this.