Netherlands 2010: July 7th - Den Haag, Ten Have Greenhouse, Beach

The city of Delft's first Woonerf. The woonerf was designed to free up the street space in front of the homes to make the neighborhood safer and more attractive for children and pedestrians. Car traffic is limited to walking speed, and is only used by residents as the streets provide little to no through-access.

A bus lane, with unidirectional bike lanes on each side. The bus triggers barriers to lower and allow the vehicle to pass, while preventing cars from using the road as a through-route.

Raised intersections are pronounced with such street paint markings to trigger drivers to pay attention. This road has only one driving strip down the middle, forcing cars to drive slowly when there are bikers in the bike lanes. Two cars cannot pass each other in the driving strip, and thus must wait until there is clearance to pass bikers down the middle.

This road was adjusted to properly suit its design and intended function, that being to provide a bike street which could be used by cars when necessary for access (by residents, for business, etc.). The centerline paint was removed from the surface, and replaced with "suggested" bike lanes, given bikers complete priority over the entire road if they so chose to use it. As in the above picture, cars can pass in the driving strip, which is only wide enough for 1 car width.

An example of what the inter-city bike routes are like - little to no road markings or intersections, and path only wide enough for 3-4 bikers; a 2x2 passing would cause some hesitation and decreased speeds, keeping the road quite. (Are mopeds allowed on this road?)

An example of a dam used to adjust the water levels within the canals. Higher water levels lie outside the bounds of the picture.

This more modern pump (seen in the background, facing the opposite direction, covered in red flowers) is used to control the water level in two canals that are several meters different in elevation.

*see below picture to compare - dyke elevation is pretty level from above to below picture.

Recently constructed water pump to regulate levels in these intersecting canals.

This dam is used to regulate flow from an upper canal (right) into a very large agricultural field (left).

This picture of the higher canal shows a meter to quickly read the water level.

The field served by this dam and canal cover several acres that would have to be flooded in the case of severe rains that overflow the higher canals (behind this picture).

Playgrounds integrated into the communities to make neighborhoods more child-friendly.

Bike track separated by a large concrete barrier, for physical protection and noise reduction. On streets with car traffic moving faster than 50 km/h, bikers are always separated from traffic. This arterial road has very fast moving traffic (up to 120 km/h), and thus the separation is even more defined.

Nederlands = Greenhouses, canals, and windmills.

An interesting piping - perhaps water? Note the webbed barrier to prevent crossing the structure, elevated to required height for boat passage.

Curbing blocks (no longer used in road construction), raised intersection, and other road traffic calming devices (such as a narrow road surface) are used to enforce this 30 kph speed limit. The signs also clarify and warn motorists.

More traffic calming measures in this "industrial greenhouse" area. Road is designed still primarily for bikes, with the "suggested bike lanes" and lack of centerline to restrict dominating two-way motor traffic. Concrete curb-blocks also make it dangerous for vehicles to travel close to the shoulder.

An in-ground trampoline - yet another example of how to prevent and reduce injuries.

On rare occasion, a bike track will be positioned near a distribution road with moderate to high speeds. It is irrational to bike in a shared lane with vehicles at these speeds, and still undesirable to have a cycle track within such close proximity to this high-volume, high speed road. A curbed barrier separates the two forms of traffic.

A modern greenhouse operation, in this case for the manufacture and production of potted plants. Some of these plants have been specifically bred and created by *** of Ten Have Greenhouse. The plants are all sorted by maturity, flowering, etc. This process is done autonomously, by a photographing station (seen below).

The plants pass through this station and receive a coding to denote the status of the plant's development. A computer analyzes the photos for color and flowering, leaves, growth, etc.

The sorting area, where plants are boxed and prepared for sale and shipment.

Our guide (forget his name...) displays how the plants are watered and moved in mass. Each tray of plants is positioned on a rolling track that is operated by the below vehicle.

Autonomous moving machine that transfers trays of plants to correct rows depending on the plant's maturity, etc.

An example of a more rural distribution/collection street, with low speed level (30 km/h) and signage to warn motorists and bikers of intersections.

This is an interesting and widely used traffic calming measure for intersections - a combination of a rotary and speed hump that warns motorists to reduce speeds for such junctions.

This rotary employs many of the key elements for a good roundabout design - high angle of entry (not really visible in this picture), mountable curbs, removal of horizon, etc. The signs in the middle of the roundabout are undesirable, as this will encourage motorists to slow down in the circle instead of keeping a constant flow throughout. advance signing is more common in recent construction to prevent this problem, and free up the middle of the rotaries.

Herring!! Topped with some onion. Very tasty, and also very slimy.

Clever use of trained trees that grow outward (not downward) provide a natural shelter for bike parking.

This picture displays a bike bypass through an intersection, making it safer for cars and bikers alike. Signs notify drivers of a bike crossing in the foreground.

New developments are constantly being constructed. These houses are much larger, with more yard space. The streets, however, are designed to be only for access by residents, keeping them safe and low-speed.

This creative design was intended to slow traffic in a more untraditional manner, however has not been replicated after this initial implementation.

Paint outlines the parking areas as well as the no-parking areas.

Downtown area with paint marking the bounds of the road-strip and the area meant for pedestrians, bikers, and shopkeepers displays.

Woonerf neighborhood - as noted by the blue sign with houses, kids, and a small car in the background to denote the true purpose of the road (for playing and walking in, not driving!). Kids feel comfortable playing and walking in these areas, a tribute to the effectiveness of the design.

A basketball court and soccer court integrated into one!!! very clever.

Road leading to the beach.

Nice, endless sand dunes.

Wind farm in the distance.

A rural bike path and pedestrian path along the beach dunes.

hmmm..whats that sign mean??

Bush maze! Try not to get lost!

Bike track underpass to avoid intersection with major arterial road / highway. Note how the bike track only goes as low under the bridge as required, so that bikers dont have to waste excess energy to go back up to the ground level after the underpass. Cars and trucks need more clearance, thus a lower underpass.