00373357

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...s/trr/1982/882/882-005.pdf

The findings from the downtown Boston automobile-restricted zone project are presented. In contrast to other pedestrian and transit malls, Boston's Downtown Crossing project involved the elimination of all automobile traffic within a zone of 12 blocks, which included 6 different streets, plus improvements to bus service in the area. Travel and business patterns were observed before, during, and after construction of the new pedestrian zone. There were continuing increases in pedestrian volumes following initiation of the automobile restrictions. At the same time, there were major shifts from automobile to transit and walking as the means of traveling to the area, and much of the anticipated increases in traffic volumes on diversion routes did not occur. The historical trend of decreasing retail activity in the downtown area was halted since implementation of the project, although the relation between automobile restriction and long-term economic revitalization is complicated by a variety of other factors that occurred simultaneously. (Author)

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Social, Economic, and Environmental Factors of Transportation. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

01411677

pp 25-32

1982

Transportation Research Record

0309034698

Print

Figures (5) ; Maps (1) ; References (4) ; Tables (2)

Bus transportation; Business districts; Central business districts; Impact studies; Pedestrian areas; Pedestrian malls; Redevelopment; Traffic restraint; Travel patterns; Walking

Revitalization; Vehicle restrictions

Boston (Massachusetts)

Highways; Motor Carriers; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

TRIS, TRB

Jun 30 1983 12:00AM

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