Helsinki, known for its efficient public transportation system, has recently made significant changes to tram crossings in the city. Transforming pedestrian crossings into tram crossings aims to streamline tram traffic flow. This initiative by the city administration involves altering existing pedestrian crossings that intersect with tram tracks into designated tram crossings. At these tram crossings, pedestrians are required to yield to oncoming trams for safety purposes. However, traditional pedestrian crossings across car lanes will remain unaffected by these modifications.
The newly established tram crossings can now be found in areas such as Jätkäsaari, Ruoholahti, and Pasila, adding to the existing ones along the route of tram line 15. Similar tram crossings have been implemented in other locations like Munkkiniemi and Kalasatama. With these recent changes, Helsinki now boasts a total of 40 tram crossings throughout the city. The primary motivation behind this transformation is to enhance the punctuality of tram services.
Juho Björkman, a traffic engineer with the City of Helsinki, explains that the objective is to improve the efficiency and speed of tram operations. He highlights the variability in tram schedules caused by occasional stops between stations, leading to inconsistencies in journey times and making it challenging to adhere to timetables. Björkman emphasizes that tram drivers maintain appropriate speeds and exercise caution towards pedestrians at these crossings to ensure safety.
“Pedestrians naturally tend to be aware of trams and yield to them. There haven’t been any reports of safety risks associated with these tram crossings,”
Björkman notes, underscoring the positive safety record of such crossings. Pedestrians can identify tram crossings by the absence of zebra markings on the road surface. To enhance visibility, new traffic signs in the shape of a triangle have been installed at tram crossings in Jätkäsaari, Ruoholahti, and Pasila to alert pedestrians to approaching trams. These signs serve as a warning, especially during snowy winter conditions when visibility may be reduced.
Approximately 40 tram track crossings with pedestrian rights of way remain in Helsinki, which could potentially be converted into tram crossings in the future. The city plans to implement more of these crossings in conjunction with larger urban projects and street refurbishments, aiming to further optimize tram traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety in the city.
The transformation of pedestrian crossings into tram crossings marks a strategic move by the City of Helsinki to modernize its public transportation infrastructure and prioritize the efficiency and safety of tram operations. By encouraging pedestrian awareness and compliance at tram crossings, Helsinki aims to create a harmonious coexistence between pedestrians and tram services, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and commuter-friendly urban environment.
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