Fun & inspiring video showing the creation and dedication of a trial pedestrian environment to improve safety in a hazardous intersection:

 

http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/29/streetfilms-sf-carves-a-park-from-the-midst-of-its-pavement/

 

 

  Very nice, and also a good view of PCC cars and Brill trolleys.

 

  I was a little disappointed that they didn't show a plan view or aerial photo.

 

  Knowlton's Corner in Cincinnati was treated something like this, except that they installed new curbs and brick pavement instead of painting. Knowlton's corner doesn't have as much pedestrian activity, though, and no longer has streetcars.

 

  Very nice, and also a good view of PCC cars and Brill trolleys.

 

  I was a little disappointed that they didn't show a plan view or aerial photo.

 

  Knowlton's Corner in Cincinnati was treated something like this, except that they installed new curbs and brick pavement instead of painting. Knowlton's corner doesn't have as much pedestrian activity, though, and no longer has streetcars.

 

I agree; an aerial photo or plan view would have been helpful in order to understand the before-and-after scene. I've been there, but it was a long time ago and I can't remember the layout.

 

I got the impression that the pavement-painting and Sonotube planter-barricades and some of the other temporary changes and movable fixtures were because this is an experiment to see how the proposal works. It was something they wanted to pull together very quickly (I think the mayor said it took 72 hours), and if it works as hoped, then permanent infrastructure changes will be made.