The idea was studied about 10 years ago at a fairly high level. The report essentially stated that it was a feasible idea, but it would be helpful especially to signalize 10th Ave and 14th Street, which has since happened. West LRT has also take some pressure of PM peak westbound on 11th (a road I drive everyday, as well as 12th. Congestion really isn't bad.
There are benefits to two way conversion for pedestrian experience, particularly because it slows vehicle speed, especially off-peak when cars tend to race on these avenues. On coming traffic, especially on a bit of a tighter right of way does slow cars down a bit.
http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/LUPP/Docum...f?noredirect=1
That report quoted this oft used argument about the benefit of two way:
“Essentially, the ‘philosophy’ of returning to two-way streets
where appropriate is based upon the fact that the operation of
the street should be maximized for its use throughout the day,
rather than for a relatively short period of time each morning
and afternoon. A street flowing very quickly during AM and PM
rush hours often means a dead street the remainder of the
day...”
“The benefits of such operational changes are clear. Retailers
express a strong preference for two-directional traffic in front of
their establishments... For pedestrians, the slower speeds that
result, the increase in safety in crossing fewer lanes of traffic
moving in the same direction at higher speeds, and the more
‘pedestrian-friendly’ environments that result are all significant
benefits. For the intermittent or casual visitor to downtown, the
one-way street grid often presents a confusing circulation
pattern and frustration at the inability to find a specific location
and/or be taken blocks out one’s way in trying to return to a
destination or find off-street parking.”
“The major objections to two-way traffic often come from daily
commuters, who understand intuitively that the current one-way
system is prioritized for their peak-hour commuting, and that a
change to two-way operation will likely mean a somewhat
reduced convenience.”
However, one-ways tend to get blamed for the ills of many streets and conversion seen as a panacea to fixing them. I don't think this is the case. There are a lot of other things that should happen to make 11th and 12th (and 10th for that matter) better for pedestrian experience. This starts with the allocation of the right of way. Especially along 12th, there are stretches with very narrow sidewalks and unnecessarily wide lanes, especially curb lanes. You could give more space to the sidewalk without affecting the function of the roadway. Second, the design of the pedestrian space itself is poor - misaligned curbs, terrible street lights, cluttered and disorganized space, poor street furniture and a lack of street trees. Do what was done to the non-station blocks on 7th avenue to these three avenues, and then you'll have a much better streetscape and pedestrian experience with or without conversion.
Downtown Portland for instance is one of the most pedestrian-friendly downtowns and it is exclusively one way streets - it's just that its sidewalk space is adequate and well designed. And the roadway is tight enough that cars move at a reasonable pace for the context.
I think the idea should be to ask the question "how can we make (drab) 11th and 12th better?" not necessarily assume conversion is the right and only answer. Glad Woolley's thinking about it though.
Discussion to turn 11th & 12th Ave. into two-way streets
