5th/6th Street Livability & Circulation Study
Education Corridor
The concept of labeling the 5th/ 6th Street corridor an “Education Corridor” opens a number of opportunities. One of the greatest concerns expressed during this study was the safety of pedestrians walking or bicycling along this roadway, especially the younger school children.
Perhaps if this corridor were designated “Education Corridor” there would be greater caution practiced by vehicular drivers. Design elements could further be developed to enhance this concept. The following are broad categories of some landscape architecture features that could further define such a design.
Principles and applications of traffic calming designs that are recommended along 5th/6th Street will be consistent with City of Tucson Department of Transportation’s standards and guidelines.
Crosswalks
There are a number of design solutions to create crosswalks that look and feel different from the traditional striped crosswalks.
- Crosswalks can be paved with different material, giving it a different feel for cars driving over the area, or a different color appearance
- “Tables” and raised crosswalks, like speed humps, have an element of slowing traffic and providing a visual cue
Streetscape/Urban Design/Art
- Consider specialty planting and/or developing an “educational” tree theme along schools directly fronting 5th or 6th Street
- If possible, construct medians to provide a safe refuge for pedestrian crossing multi-lane vehicular traffic
- Provide pedestrian activated crossing lights (such as the “hawks” currently installed along Broadway Boulevard at Plumer and also at Park Avenue)
- Site specific public art can include temporary or permanent exhibits. Many public artists directly involve the neighborhoods or school children in the development and creation of artworks
Pedestrian & Bicycle Connections
- This is a transportation design concept that needs to be integrated into landscape design guidelines as well as the overall design of the corridor
