Fire truck sirens are loud and frequent; they are extremely intrusive and make living in New Haven difficult. Other cities have found ways to decrease the use of sirens unless absolutely necessary. Can we do the same?
The modification NYC made is described in a WSJ article: "Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said... the FDNY is expanding... its "Modified Response" program, which forces firefighters to refrain from using sirens and lights and to respond at slower speeds and obey all traffic regulations on calls that are deemed non-life-threatening and do not involve fires. He said he expects the policy to be implemented citywide by the end of the summer. The program was initiated in Queens on Oct. 4 and has resulted in 32% fewer fire-truck accidents (52, compared with 77 in 2010) during the past six-month period, Mr. Cassano said. He called those results "better than we expected." The program has also resulted in cost savings related to fuel and wear and tear on vehicles, he said, as well as saving the city money related to insurance and lawsuits.
"We know it's a safe way to respond," he said. "It's safer and cost effective.'"
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703712504576244930000606362

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If you approach the intersection of Chapel and Orange every weekday about 10am, you will see no less than twenty people (mostly male) wandering aggressively in traffic by the bus stop.

They just walk and wander dangerously. They do not respond to a horn or a holler. They are often arrogant and abusive. They defiantly go before cars and trucks.

What gives? Are they developmentally disabled? (If so, where is their supervisor?) Are the ear buds up too loud? One day, someone is ending up under someone else's wheel. Any clues?

Pedestrians crossing in front of the garage entrance ramp have a walk sign here, even at the same time as traffic along high-speed state street has a green light. Cars turning right off State and entering the parking garage often nearly run over pedestrians, including some with strollers, who are crossing with the walk sign. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that CTTransit buses stop along State Street just before the garage entrance, which blocks visibility of turning drivers until just before they run into the pedestrians who are crossing there.

5/8/17 witnessed a city employee disobey the "no turn on red" signs twice after leaving BOE. She made the right turns onto Union then off Union. Small violations are still violations. Plate 677NH

pedestrian light is out on the Elm City Market side.

Button to cross is there, but nothing happens when it's pressed.

Pedestrian signal is pointed away from the side of the street it serves.

Broken glass at intersection.

The white walk hand is not illuminating. Please change bulb.

This is the SE corner on the signal facing the bus stop across chapel.