During my visit to Eugene over the weekend, I tested out a new street treatment and crossing improvement constructed there earlier this year.  The improvement is a combination of "road diet", landscaped median, "z" style crossing, and stutter flashes that alert drivers of pedestrians crossing street.  The "road diet" means the street went from four lanes (two in each direction) to three lanes (one lane in each direction and a center turn lane).  The landscaped median reduced the pavement surfaces and greatly improved the aesthetics of the street.  The "z" style crossing is less direct across the street but forces pedestrians to look in the direction of the oncoming traffic.  The stutter flashes are brighter and more attention-grabbing than standard lights.