Traffic solutions for access to heritage town from dual carriageway ring road

Entry into heritage district or "old town" of Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy. The road markings suddenly disappear: no double yellow lines, no driver signage disrupting the view. The driver hears the sound of the cobbled rough stone surface through the response of the vehicle tyres and the transition from speed to caution is complete.
A calmer approach is therefore essential.  Benches indicate the new priority; pedestrian safety and pedestrian dominant. Reggio Emilia leads in child education and child psychology, so safety is identified as the key to the economic success of the town. RE is 95% business rental occupied in the ancient centre.




Entry into heritage district or "old town" of Reggio Emilia, near Modena in Northern Italy. A series of wide concrete "couch" seats are set at different distances from the carriageway. These prevent motorists from predicting their position. No warning painted edges so the risk is entirely with the driver. Automatic speed reduction to prevent damage to bodywork. No possibility of quick stop parking as this would block the (one way) street





Road flanking seats in place of pavements place responsibility for speed and steering on the motorist. Pedestrian sits protected within the pavement footprint. Cars are one directional, but public transport can exit at this junction

This Mercedes bus transport is considered to be adequate in capacity for the volume of commuters and shoppers who make use of this regular service into the centre of the City of Reggio Emilia. Large delivery white van scale. This vehicle is shown passing one of the fixed concrete "couch" benches as it leaves the town. Note the lack of street markings and traffic signage.