To the Editor:

It’s very exciting to see the new Arts and Transit project coming together. I know there has been a lot of thoughtful deliberation about the new vehicle and pedestrian patterns, and I am delighted to see how well cars move through the new traffic circle on Alexander near the soon-to-be moved Wawa. What is unsettling, however, is the decision to place a number of pedestrian crosswalks around this circle. Any Princeton resident will concede that the most visible crosswalks on Nassau Street require a touch of vigilance. Although I am a huge fan of traffic circles’ efficiency and usefulness (travelers to Great Britain know how even the mighty motorways are managed with enormous circles) they are not routine for American drivers — many of whom have no idea what to do or what the protocol is. Many just wing it. I expect a fair number of drivers will approach this busy circle with a fair amount of trepidation, their sole focus on other cars and figuring out how to negotiate the pattern. Once in the circle, many will be nervous and fixated solely on other cars, accelerating and maneuvering in a less-than-confident manner. The last thing these drivers will be looking for are pedestrians crossing at the entrances and exits to the circle. I think this may ultimately prove to be a hazard for pedestrians, particularly those distracted by the gizmos many of us use today. I hope I am wrong, as I really like the design of the circle and appreciate what the architects and engineers are trying to do.

Robert Owen

Battle Road Circle