By Lloyd Alter, TreeHugger
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Or as Brad Aaron of Streetsblog has noted,
“If your transport system has zero tolerance for anyone who isn’t a fit adult, the system is the problem, and … By casting blame elsewhere you assume everyone is like you — can see, hear, walk perfectly. Arrogant & extremely unhelpful.”
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https://www.treehugger.com/walking/why-are-so-many-pedestrians-getting-killed-our-roads.htm
The Absurd Primacy of the Automobile in American Life
Considering the constant fatalities, rampant pollution, and exorbitant costs of ownership, there is no better word to characterize the car’s dominance than insane.
By EDWARD HUMES, The Atlantic
The car is the star. That’s been true for well over a century—unrivaled staying power for an industrial-age, pistons-and-brute-force machine in an era so dominated by silicon and software. Cars conquered the daily culture of American life back when top hats and child labor were in vogue, and well ahead of such other innovations as radio, plastic, refrigerators, the electrical grid, and women’s suffrage.
A big part of why they’ve stuck around is that they are the epitome of convenience. That’s the allure and the promise that’s kept drivers hooked, dating all the way back to the versatile, do-everything Ford Model T. Convenience (some might call it freedom) is not a selling point to be easily dismissed—this trusty conveyance, always there, always ready, on no schedule but its owner’s. Buses can’t do that. Trains can’t do that. Even Uber makes riders wait.
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Accounting for all costs, from fuel to insurance to depreciation, the average car owner in the U.S. pays $12,544 a year for a car that puts in a mere 14-hour workweek. Drive an SUV? Tack on another $1,908.14
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[Even more examples on waste and absurdities of the Automobile.]
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/04/absurd-primacy-of-the-car-in-american-life/476346/
Crashes are NOT accidents
By Chris Bortz, Kansas Department of Transportation
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I don’t believe that people get behind the wheel and say, “I think I will injure or kill someone in a car crash today.” Just because it was not intentional, doesn’t mean it couldn’t have been prevented. Most drivers rate themselves as great drivers and will say the problem is the other driver(s). However, driving is a privilege, not a right. You are sharing the road with all drivers and it is important for you to drive as if your life depends on it. Oh wait, it just might.
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https://ksdotblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/crashes-are-not-accidents.html
MT DOT: LOWER SPEED LIMITS THAN ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATIONS
-> A Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) study examined the safety and operational effects of posting speed limits lower than engineering recommendations. (Speed Limits Set Lower than Engineering Recommendations: https://bit.ly/2eRZTpv) It involved a comprehensive literature review, a survey of other state transportation agencies, the collection of speed and safety data from a variety of Montana roadways, and an analysis of these data. MDT concluded that setting posted speed limits 5 mph lower may result in operating speeds more consistent with the posted speed and have overall safety benefits, while posting limits 15 or 25 mph lower does not appear to produce operating speeds consistent with the posted speed limit or provide safety benefits. https://bit.ly/2eS09o7
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.
UN CALLS FOR 20% OF TRANSPORT BUDGET FOR WALKING & CYCLING
-> In a new report, the UN Environment Program calls on countries to invest at least 20 percent of their transport budgets in walking and cycling infrastructure to save lives, reverse pollution and reduce carbon emissions, which are rising at over ten per cent a year. (Global Outlook on Walking and Cycling: Policies & realities from Around the World: https://bit.ly/2fcs8h9) Lack of investment in safe walking and cycling infrastructure is contributing to the deaths of millions of people and overlooking a great opportunity to contribute to the fight against climate change. The report surveyed the progress towards safer walking and cycling infrastructure in 20 low- to middle-income countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, where compared with high-income countries, twice as many more people die in road traffic accidents. For example, in Malawi, 66 percent of all road fatalities were pedestrians and cyclists. https://bit.ly/2fcqgVz
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.
The way Baltimore install pedestrian “beg butons” is wrong
By B’ Spokes
National Association of City Transportation Officials released this information: Fixed vs. Actuated Signalization https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/intersection-design-elements/traffic-signals/fixed-vs-actuated-signalization/
The first thing I noticed there is no separate mention of actuation for cars and actuation for pedestrians. There’s a world of difference! Automatic detection for cars and try to find the hidden, hard to get to push button for pedestrains. Nor is there mention to mix things up like set timing for cars but make pedestrains be detected. The latter is from what I can tell is something the city standardizes on, unbeiveable.
Now for some quotes and then comments:
“In general, fixed-time signals are the rule in urban areas for reasons of regularity, network organization, predictability, and reducing unnecessary delay. In certain, less-trafficked areas, actuated signals (push buttons, loop detectors) may be appropriate; however, these must be programmed to minimize delay, which will increase compliance.”
I have witnessed the city “fixing” a trail crossing button that once pushed would give cross traffic a yellow light to requiring 90 second delay before the yellow light. The funny thing is cross traffic was so light that a good break in traffic would always happen before the 90 seconds was up so you would cross anyway without the light. In comparison a ped signal to cross York Road mid block I have yet to wait more than 45 seconds, Half the time with a lot more traffic (ADT). Basically the city does not accommodate pedestrians so pedestrians do not use accomidations. The city traffic engineers what pedestrians to play the “Mother may I” game so they can laugh when they don’t get normal and expected acomidations.
“Actuated signals in general are not preferable because of the maintenance requirements and upkeep of the detection on the street.”
Beg buttons have a life of so many pushes and I will assert since there is no acknowledgment that you pressed the button, you bang it again reducing it’s useful life in half. I will also mention that this is a complete failure in human design interface. The next issue is does the city have a good maintece in place or is it still relying on complaints from citizens on the 311 system? There was a time when about half the buttons I pushed never worked. That’s a crazy number and shows the city needs to do more to keep the buttons they have working.
“Drivers and others at downstream unsignalized intersections benefit from a series of fixed-time signals, as they produce routine gaps in traffic that may be used to turn onto or cross the street. Fixed-time signals help make pedestrians an equal part of the traffic signal system by providing them with regular and consistent intervals at which to cross.”
I will note allowing right-on-red a known major source of pedestrian death also reduces this down stream benift. One day I hope they realize for every one the give extra convenience to also delays more than one person, so the net gain is negative. Back to point, there is a benefit to giving pedestrians green walk signs before they pressed a beg button and before making them wait 90 seconds after pusshing. Think of needing to cross two legs of an intersection crosswalk (often required in Marlyland) but crossing one side than the next is not automated so one extra light signal maybe required to complete your journey. Which is fine I guess because it does not violate the traffic engineers rule “The fast mode must go faster and slower modes do not mind going even slower.”
“Many existing traffic signals controllers have the capacity to reduce delay, but remain in coordination rather than a free setting. Coordination, paired with long signal cycles, can result in delays of 80 seconds or more, reducing pedestrian compliance, increasing risk-taking behavior, and creating the impression that a push button is either non-responsive or malfunctioning.”
And I believe Baltimore standardizes on a delay of 90 seconds for pedestrians. Someone needs to get BDOT unstuck from the 1960s. Oh and stop blaming pedestrians for risky behavor, BDOT is doing all they can to encourage this.
Miserable at work? Your commute might be the culprit
By Tania Kohut, Global News
People who cycle to work or school are likely to have sunnier dispositions than those who drive or take transit, according to a new study out of McGill University.
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“We need to start having much stronger programs to encourage people to cycle,” said El-Geneidy.
“In some cases, cycling is not the best — not everybody is going to cycle in the winter — but let’s try for the rest of the year.”
Parents can start by encouraging their children to cycle, said El-Geneidy. Meanwhile, it’s a no-brainer for employers to offer incentives for employees to bike to work.
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Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Law and How It Can Prevent an Accident Victim’s Recovery
Via Lebowitz & Mzhen
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After the trial, the jury determined that Turturro was 10% at fault for the accident, the City 40% at fault, and the driver 50% at fault. The City appealed the verdict, unsuccessfully arguing that it was entitled to government immunity. However, had this case arising in Maryland, the plaintiff would have been awarded nothing, due to Maryland’s application of the strict contributory negligence doctrine.
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https://www.marylandmotorcycleaccidentlawyerblog.com/2017/01/marylands-contributory-negligence-law-can-prevent-accident-victims-recovery.html
10 Things cyclists wish drivers understood
Via Cyclescheme
[Just the headings]
1. We’re not meant to ride close to the kerb
2. Bike paths are optional
3. We do pay for the roads
4. Sometimes we wobble or swerve
5. We’re not telepathic
6. We’re moving faster than you think
7. Anger is often fear
8. Close passes are dangerous
9. That cyclist who annoyed you? We’re not them
10. It’s other drivers that slow you down
https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/featured/10-things-cyclists-wish-drivers-understoof?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Cyclescheme-Social&utm_source=10-Things-cyclists-wish-drivers-understood
PLANNING JARGON TO DELETE?
-> Read Next City’s a list of eight commonly used planning words best left behind and their rationales for doing so: stroad, smart cities; livability, smart growth, road diet, cycle track, cyclists, pedestrian; and shared mobility. https://bit.ly/2ibtTzc
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.