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REDWOOD CITY EL CAMINO REAL CORRIDOR PLAN SECTION 1.1 WALKING CONTEXT Crossing EI Camino Real feels challenging. The distances be- tween striped and signalized pedestrian crosswalks across EI Camino Real vary, from a reasonable 385 feet to a very long 1,700 feet (over a quarter mile, or longer than a five-minute walk). With four to six lanes for vehicles, EI Camino Real is also a wide street (generally between 75 and 90 feet curb Wide sidewalks allow for street trees, utilities, and furniture without disrupting the space for to curb, and wider at many intersections), and the exist - pedestrians. ing street design makes the crossing distance feel long and exposed for pedestrians. In addition, Woodside Road acts as a barrier dividing the northern and southern portions of the Corridor, as walking underneath this wide overpass feels dark, dangerous, and unpleasant. EI Camino Real has relatively narrow sidewalks (generally around eight feet wide), which makes walking a less desir- able way of moving through the Corridor. Narrow sidewalks also limit the space available for amenities, such as seating, Increasing safety along and across the Corridor landscaping, trash and recycling receptacles. Where these is a top community priority amenities are present, they can serve as obstacles, particu- larly to people in wheelchairs or people pushing strollers. WHY IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE WALKING? Everybody is a pedestrian at some point in their journey. Even those who arrive on the Corridor by car must access their desti- nation on foot. Improving the environment for people on foot is efficient and cost effective, and even small, relatively inexpen- sive improvements to the pedestrian environment can have a big impact on enhancing safety and encouraging walking. 12 Enhancing the pedestrian experience along EI Camino Real has the potential to reduce parking impacts and vehicular con- gestion, and promote active, healthy lifestyles and economic benefits by increasing foot traffic along the Corridor. This may not only provide a boost to the businesses along EI Camino Real, but increasing the number of "eyes on the street" would ultimately make the Corridor feel safer as well. The addition of pedestrian -scale lighting improves safety and comfort for pedestrians, as shown in this before and after example from Campbell, California.