| Page 3 of 3 < |
Drivers, Pedestrians Call for Balance In Traffic Planning
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Andrew Lindemann Malone Silver Spring
That's a good description of pedestrian funneling that had them fuming, as well as an appropriate plea for help from the traffic planners in balancing the safety burden.
I saw some drivers, willing to proceed on any color the traffic light happened to be, come to rest on crosswalks or make left turns into masses of pedestrians despite the noble efforts of the crossing guards and police officers.
There could be some adjustments in the traffic signals, but the best way to restore the balance of power at intersections would be to increase the number of crossing guards, so they wouldn't get outflanked by cars and pedestrians, and to write a few tickets for dangerous behavior.
At intersections, signals, paint and concrete are only part of the solution. In his new book "Traffic," Tom Vanderbilt notes that Barnes, in looking back on his career, said, "As time goes on the technical problems become more automatic, while the people problems become more surrealistic."
Dr. Gridlock appears Thursday in the Extras and Sunday in the Metro section. You can send e-mails todrgridlock@washpost.com. Include your name, community and phone numbers. Some letters are published. Get There:http:/
