Traffic Calming in RemingtonBMoreOnTheWater t1_irwpyzw wrote
I guess my question is what’s the difference between “traffic calming” and better marking/wayfinding for drivers? My primary beef with this interesection beforehand was that it was a navigation mess for drivers. Which is to say, the design of the intersection made it harder for them to understand and use, this made it more dangerous for everyone else. Perhaps it’s all the same — that’s fine.
r3rg54 t1_irwsmuy wrote
I think part of the idea is that by creating a mildly complex obstacle for drivers, they are forced to slow down.
todareistobmore t1_irwul7v wrote
It clarifies and shortens crossing distances for pedestrians is the main thing, I think. It's not just (or even primarily) for drivers.
Turin_The_Mormegil t1_irxa769 wrote
yeah, walking through that intersection feels way less like a stress-test for my health insurance policy than before
paper_flames t1_irwtxhr wrote
I think in this instance, it is really both. The traffic calming aspect is using the marked bump-outs to narrow the lanes and reduce the amount of extra pavement available to drivers. This makes people slow down because it feels less safe to speed. It also helps prevent cutting corners and gives pedestrians some extra space for safety.
But all of these bumpout markings also provide opportunities to more clearly mark the lanes, turns, stops, etc. which is especially helpful at a convoluted intersection like this one.
As an aside - I think the biggest downside to these is that once one big truck has run over a flex post, many other people will feel comfortable driving over it too. So the DOT needs to either make an effort to regularly replace flattened flex posts, or put in something more solid like the planters in this photo.
D0NNIENARCO t1_irwzs5v wrote
Honestly not even sure the planters will help. I'd expect them to get quickly plowed over, too. Ideally they filled them up about halfway with large rocks, but even still... I'd be surprised if they didn't need frequent replacing.
luchobucho t1_irz1duj wrote
I think they should use angled mountable curbing. The fire trucks/bud can make the turns, but the average car would not enjoy the experience.
dirtycrabcakes t1_irx62i7 wrote
Like others mentioned, it's more about pedestrian safety (I think). It's likely a part of the strategy for the city's Vision Zero initiative (a nationwide effort being implemented locally around the country)
D0NNIENARCO t1_irwsq84 wrote
Lol, yeah, kinda seems like a more appealing way to say "lets install a bunch of signs & bollards"
E: kinda looks like this would be a perfect spot for a roundabout, actually.
todareistobmore t1_irxzijn wrote
Not enough traffic for a roundabout, I don't think? (not sure there ever is when traffic flow can be effectively handled by stop signs)
Also given how BCDOT ripped out the roundabouts in Barclay/Harwood not too many years ago I think they're not a fan of them in general.
mixolydienne t1_iry6881 wrote
They got rid of one of the roundabouts at Guilford and 32nd, but there are still two left at 24th and 22nd. Half the drivers still go around the wrong way to make a left, if they don't drive right over the middle.
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