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Dickinson College capstone recommends complete‑streets and universal design for High Street segments
Summary
A student research capstone presented observations of three High Street locations and recommended combining complete-streets principles with universal design and green infrastructure to improve accessibility and safety.
A Dickinson College student and recent graduate presented a High Street accessibility capstone project to Carlisle Borough Council on Sept. 11, summarizing week‑long observations at three High Street locations and recommending design changes to improve inclusivity and safety.
Meng Robinson told council researchers observed sidewalks and crossings near the Bosler Memorial Library, St. John’s and a location called WISE (abbreviated in the presentation) during a March study week. Robinson reported that while many sidewalks met a three‑foot minimum width, obstacles — a traffic signal, bike lane markings and a telephone pole — reduced usable width in one area to about two feet, making passage difficult for those using mobility devices.
Robinson said the research found instances of people in motorized wheelchairs crossing at parking-lot entrances because marked crosswalks were not accessible enough, and noted a near-miss accident near a telephone pole during the observation period.
The presentation recommended a combined approach using complete-streets principles (safety, access, equity and connectivity) and universal-design techniques to make sidewalks, crossings and intersections safer for all users. Robinson also suggested green‑infrastructure fixes to address recurring stormwater pooling at one library corner.
Councilors thanked the presenter and asked staff to consider the recommendations in future pedestrian and streetscape planning.
