Dancing with the Cars

Washington DC’s transportation department is considering implementing an all-way pedestrian crossing signal at Chinatown’s main intersection, 7th and H Streets NW. Traffic lights would stop all vehicles, and pedestrians would be allowed to cross in any direction, even diagonally.

This “Barnes Dance ” or “Barnes Walk” pattern is named after Henry A. Barnes (1907 – 1968), who popularized the system as NYC Traffic Commissioner.  He also worked in Baltimore.

As DC considers the system, Denver, the first city to implement it, may dump it.

Image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Tags: Barnes dance, Barnes walk, Dancing with the Stars, DDOT, pedestrian crossings, traffic control, traffic signals, trafic lights, urban planning, walking, Washington DC