Saturday, July 19, 2008

Yokosuka Kaigan Dori - seaside 4 lane arterial

In my travels throughout Yokosuka - there are few if any "western" style roads. Here is a description of one - the Yokosukakaigan Dori - which I think means roughly - Yokosuka Seaside Boulevard.

This 4-lane arterial hugs the coastline immediately south of the US Navy Base - and extends for about four miles before it turns into a two lane road again. Along the way it has a modern cross section - very generous sidewalks along both sides - a small landscaped median, and even palm trees that line the verge. The photos posted below were taken from the vantage point of a pedestrian overpass as it spans the "fork" in the road between a coastal and more inland route. The land uses along this road are mostly medium density residential - but there are also commercial, and even some industrial land uses evident.

What I like about this road section:

1) for Japan it feels big, and fast - it's really not - the total ROW is probably less than 80 feet, and the speed limit is less than 35 mph.

2) the extra wide sidewalks easily accommodate walkers, joggers, and bicyclists at the same time

3) there aren't many access points (curb cuts/driveways), thus there are fewer vehicular conflicts. This makes it easier to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk here

4) the vegetation is nice - but it's only maintained about twice a year

5) Universal design elements are evident in the pavement markings


What I DON'T LIKE:

1) the cobra head street lamps

2) the overhead utility lines

3) the grass median - it's only cut about four times per year - so most of the time it looks overgrown and weedy - this is a lesson in inadequate maintenance funding if I ever saw one!

Here are my photos:

0 comments: