First, it is important to note that the City of Lausanne is very attentive to the challenges faced by pedestrians. In fact, it frequently takes action to improve their comfort and safety on city-owned properties as well as on public property.

With regard to the Benjamin-Constant neighborhood, it is important to note that the implementation of the 30 km/h zone in Benjamin-Constant is part of the temporary measures rolled out in 2020 in response to the current public health situation. As a reminder, these measures are intended to support changes in mobility habits, assist restaurant owners impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and provide more welcoming public spaces that allow for social distancing. In accordance with the legal requirements governing 30 zones, crosswalks are generally not marked, except in certain cases. Given the observed pedestrian traffic, the crosswalk between Rue Jenny-Enning and Rue de Bourg has been reinstated just before the entrance to the 30 zone. The crosswalk at the junction with Rue de l’Ecole-Supérieure has also been reinstated to accommodate school routes.

It’s worth noting that in a 30 zone, vehicles still have the right of way, while pedestrians are free to cross wherever they choose. Information signs reminding people of the proper behavior to follow in a 30 zone have been posted at several locations in the area.

Removing the traffic lights at the crosswalk on Rue Ening also improves pedestrian comfort by eliminating wait times on a heavily trafficked street.

It should be noted, however, that the Benjamin-Constant neighborhood experiences heavy through traffic that does not comply with the road network hierarchy defined in the Municipal Master Plan. The 30 km/h zone trial is a first step toward calming traffic in the area to reduce the negative impacts of motor vehicle traffic and provide greater comfort for pedestrians. An ongoing evaluation is being conducted as part of this temporary measure. In this context, additional measures may be implemented to discourage through traffic in the neighborhood, and the proposed changes may evolve in the future, taking into account feedback from users and local residents.

Regarding the redevelopment of the Mon-Repos/Avant-Poste/Mousquines/Léman intersection is part of a project whose main goal is to improve safety and comfort along routes for pedestrians and cyclists, reduce through traffic in neighborhoods, all while promoting smoother traffic flow on the main thoroughfares.

Recent roadwork at the intersection with Avenue de Mon-Repos has indeed led us to expand the 30 km/h zone “Mousquines” and to remove the crosswalk located across from the “Chandoline” bus stop on Line 13, which was problematic due to limited visibility when the bus was stopped. In its place, a crossing aid has been installed in front of the Tandem restaurant, ensuring good visibility on both sides of the street. The redesign of this intersection also provided an opportunity to visually harmonize the signage for the neighborhood’s secondary streets—Avenue de l’Avant-Poste and Avenue des Mousquines—with the goal of calming traffic and reducing through traffic in these two neighborhoods, while promoting smoother traffic flow along the main Léman–Mon-Repos thoroughfare. This redesign is all the more justified because it allowed us to move the entrance to the 30-zone in Les Mousquines forward, with the eventual goal of designating the Avant-Poste neighborhood as a 30-zone as well.

 These improvements are complemented by cross-street (or continuous) sidewalks that allow pedestrians to cross the intersection of a side street or secondary street without a change in level, seamlessly connecting with adjacent sidewalks. In addition, the continuous sidewalk provides continuity in the pedestrian route and, above all, facilitates movement for people with reduced mobility, such as seniors, people in wheelchairs, and anyone with a stroller or luggage. Eliminating the need to step over curbs allows all these individuals to enjoy greater independence in public spaces. The continuous sidewalk gives pedestrians priority over other road users.

 Finally, the City is committed to doing everything in its power to develop projects and implement measures that promote a more welcoming and safe environment, best meeting the needs and requests of its citizens.