To the editor: The sixth Avenue Viaduct is a troubled bridge over no water. The planners, like too many designers, forgot to incorporate human beings. (“Extra crashes, climbers and chaos on new sixth Avenue Bridge,” July 22)
Let’s have a number of open lanes! Let’s have excessive semicircular arcs! Oh, goody!
The ensuing design was filled with what engineers name “affordances” — design features that vividly recommend how an object or area needs to be used. They invite (afford) an virtually inevitable human response: An elevator button affords you to push it, a chair’s design affords you to sit down on it (or keep away from it), and wide-open lanes afford teenage boys the irresistible impulse to drag-race.
Who amongst us has not touched a “don’t contact, moist paint” signal, to verify?
It's incomprehensible that the viaduct’s architects didn't learn about affordances, but when they didn’t, that’s skilled malpractice. Put up-hoc options — set up lane dividers, add cameras, in some way block entry to the arches — could also be useful and mandatory within the brief run, however I'd hope the designers return to the drafting board and make the substantive corrections that may permit the bridge for use safely and enjoyably by all.
Carol Tavris, Los Angeles
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