August 2009
42 posts
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Idaho Stop makes cyclists 14.5% Safer →
That number isn’t enormous, but every percantage point counts when it’s the difference between life or death.
Stop signs attempt to control and diffuse our intersections. Idaho Stop law gives precedence to bicycle traffic by turning stop signs into yield signs. In Portland, 2-way stops are favored. I find that it maintains the menacing potential of oncoming cross traffic. I prefer...
Underused lanes should be pedestrian space, BID... →
A new proposal for a road diet and more pedestrian space in NYC.
July 2009
40 posts
http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/07/27/pasadena-think... →
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Colorado DOT Studies Bicycle & Pedestrian Crashes
Out of 208 accidents at top 25 intersections, nearly 70% of the crashes involved collision with a bicycle. 30% of the crashes involved collision with pedestrians. Of the pedestrian crashes, just over 10% involved school age children. This amounts to 3% of the total number of crashes reported. Over half of those 208 accidents occurred at intersection locations (59%), while 17% occurred at a...
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Pedestrian Safety
Unfortunately, people can be killed as pedestrians. Here are some statistics to illustrate what is really happening. According to Fatality Facts, 2004, from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
The number of pedestrian deaths has steadily decreased each year, but they still make up 11% of all deaths involving motor vehicles.
Of these, 18% involve hit-and-run motorists.
The risk of...
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Fatal Hit & Run Along Park Drive in Philadelphia →
This particular stretch of Philadelphia is altogether one of the most beautiful and dangerous places in the city. Many people come here to relax, recreate, dine, visit the museum, or use this drive as an arterial to commute to and from the city.
It is patentently horrdendous for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross this road, often cars are well over the speed limit, there is poor signage, poor...
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Imaginative innovations for bicycle streets -... →
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Watch
When New York City opened up new pedestrian zones in the heart of Midtown this summer, naysayers predicted a traffic nightmare. Nearly two months later, we’re still waiting for the much-feared Carmaggedon.
In this video, Streetfilms funder Mark Gorton takes us on a tour of Broadway’s car-free squares and boulevard-style blocks, where conditions have improved dramatically for...
Eating while driving causes 80% of all car... →
Another reason why mental speed bumps might not be a total solution.
U.S. Withheld Data on Risks of Distracted Driving →
In 2003, researchers at a federal agency proposed a long-term study of 10,000 drivers to assess the safety risk posed by cellphone use behind the wheel.
They sought the study based on evidence that such multitasking was a serious and growing threat on America’s roadways.
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Sight Triangle
Q: What is a sight triangle?
A sight triangle is a triangular portion of land where roadways intersect. For safety reasons sight triangles must remain open so they do not obstruct or limit the views of motorists or pedestrians entering or leaving the intersection.
Sight Triangle – the area of visibility required on a corner to allow for the safe operation of vehicles, trains, pedestrians, and...
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New York State Intersection Parking Law
Parking or standing is not allowed:
In front of a driveway.
Within 20 feet (6 m) of a crosswalk at an intersection.
Within 30 feet (10 m) of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign.
Within 20 feet (6 m) of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet (23 m) on the opposite side of the road.
Along a curb that has been cut down, lowered or constructed for access to the...
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Every Corner is a Crosswalk, Every Crosswalk is an...
You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing at specially marked pedestrian crossings or crossovers.
Remember, signalling does not give you the right-of-way. You must make sure the way is clear.
via
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Road Rage Against Bicyclists
Road rage is a great example of projection. At the heart of it, perhaps Matt G. is genuinely worried about the safety of said bicyclist. That doesn’t stop him from projecting a quite violent rage towards this scofflaw cyclist in Colorado.
It’s interesting that some people become so activated by cyclists, and certainly this driver is entitled to his dissapointment. The problem is...
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Attention All Drivers
Anyone who walks, drives, or bikes around a city knows the frustration when someone doesn’t yield apropriately. Like Sara says:
Pedestrians always have the right of way. Always always always. ESPECIALLY when they follow all of the rules.
When I press the button for the crosswalk and it gives me the walk sign, and you are allowed to turn left as long as there isn’t any oncoming...
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Intersection Parking Ruffles Feathers in New...
When someone parks near an intersection in Hoboken, NJ, people get upset. This person was called to document these infractions. In some cities, it is not illegal to park this way. It would be interesting to hear if safety is the main reason for this parking rule.
Is the purpose of enforcing intersection parking rules for safety reasons?
If so, then why is it tolerated for public vehicles to be...
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Hoboken, New Jersey: 25ft of intersection...
In Hoboken, NJ, the law is no parking within 25 feet of a crosswalk. There is a very small, painted stripe to help drivers know where the parking zone starts. This demonstrates a very affordable way to “sign” intersections should a similar intersection buffer law be enacted in Portland.
This is a complaint from someone who received a ticket.
“Here’s what I came out to this...
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WatchIntersection Repair in action.
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More About Intersection 911 →
A bit of background information on my motivation behind this.
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103rd Street Repaired - Parking Removed
I’m pleased to report that this “Dangerous Intersection” is a thing of the past, thanks to the responsiveness of the NYC Department of Transportation and Margaret Forgione, DOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner. On May 4, Forgione emailed:
Our Borough Engineering Office completed an investigation of this location. As a result, a new order was issued to establish a “NO...
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Successful Intersection Repair - Parking Diet for... →
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Watch
Daylighting is a simple pedestrian safety measure achieved by removing parking spaces adjacent to curbs around an intersection, increasing visibility for pedestrians and drivers and minimizing conflicts. It’s beneficial to young and old, but is especially helpful to children, who often cannot see, or be seen by, oncoming traffic. By removing parking adjacent to the crosswalk, the child does...
a space to document problematic intersections in...
My aim is to document poor safety conditions for all forms of transit, with an emphasis on pedestrian and bicyclists due to their vulnerabilities.