Description
Last time I checked, when a lane is marked as left turn only, cars and BUSES should only go left on from that lane. However, during peak traffic times I FREQUENTLY see cars and NH Transit Authority buses go straight across Chapel to avoid the long back up in the middle lane.
Three solutions (please choose at least ONE):
1) Allow both the left and middle lane to go straight across. This will allow more traffic to flow rather than making the middle lane really backed up.
2) TICKET those who do not turn LEFT.
3) Allow this light to last longer than 15 seconds. That seems extremely unreasonable. If you are not the 3rd or 4th car in the middle lane, then there is no way you are going through that light legally.
Let's promote SAFE driving by ALL (including buses).
7 Comments
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Just a thought:
Creating two lanes here could increase weaving patterns and speeds, which could significantly increase the risk to local pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers.
This is an extremely dense, pedestrian-rich environment.
The current traffic pattern seems to promote slower speeds, relative to, say, Church Street,which makes the area safer for everyone.
If the confusion that you describe is dangerous, the best strategy might be to add dashed striping indicating lane continuation (as is done on many other roads around New Haven), and/or to convert the first 10-20 yards of Temple Street from a two-lane into a one-lane street by bumping out the sidewalks and creating a 10' crossing distance on the south side of Chapel (which might have an enormous benefit to pedestrians as well).
Creating a "tabled" or "raised" intersection at the corner, that balanced the needs of pedestrians and drivers more equally and provided increased safety for children, would also help significantly.
Creating a more walkable downtown through measures like these, while allowing vehicles to reach their destinations at a reasonable and safe (i.e., speeds no greater than 10-15mph) pace, is critical for promoting economic development.
Frustrated Driver (Guest)
From my perspective, this really isn't about driver confusion, but rather, law-abiding drivers patiently waiting their turn, while renegade bus drivers and other cars choose to ignore the rules of the road by not waiting their turn and going straight across Chapel from the Left TURN only lane. I've actually seen buses come from the Right TURN only lane as well, but this happens less frequently. Please don't get me wrong. I understand if a driver was confused, and politely put his blinker on and waited a second for someone to let them in. However, I have *strong confidence* that this is just a way to sneak through the intersection the quickest.
As an experiment, I think it would be interesting to record the intersection via some sort of video, and watch the frequency of poor driving habits in this city. I'm always amazed at what people do without being caught!
GregL (Registered User)
(Less) Frustrated Driver (Guest)
I haven't been as frustrated with this intersection recently. In fact, I believe the buses (that I have seen) are actually merging properly. I understand it can be frustrating for the bus drivers trying to cut into traffic from the right lane, so I appreciate the extra patience they are displaying.
The traffic light here may have been increased in length a little as well. Having a 10 second green light contributes to the number of people refusing to *wait* in the middle lane to go straight across Chapel, as the number of drivers going left and right never seems as long. So impatient drivers would end up swerving to the left lane or right lane and speed through the intersection...
Unless I have just been lucky these days, perhaps this is no longer an issue.
(Less) Frustrated Driver (Guest)
I haven't been as frustrated with this intersection recently. In fact, I believe the buses (that I have seen) are actually merging properly. I understand it can be frustrating for the bus drivers trying to cut into traffic from the right lane, so I appreciate the extra patience they are displaying.
The traffic light here may have been increased in length a little as well. Having a 10 second green light contributes to the number of people refusing to *wait* in the middle lane to go straight across Chapel, as the number of drivers going left and right never seems as long. So impatient drivers would end up swerving to the left lane or right lane and speed through the intersection...
Unless I have just been lucky these days, perhaps this is no longer an issue.
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
This Saturday the Downtown-Wooster Square Community Management Team and Wooster Square Watch are sponsoring a community planning meeting.
Results from the 2010 New Haven quality of life survey are now available and will be a terrific indicator of the areas of focus for improving the quality of life in our neighborhood.
Please join us!
Saturday, May 8th
8:30 am -- 12 pm
(coffee and refreshments provided)
Conte Hills School Cafeteria
I hope many of you can make it to think strategically as a group about how we as citizens can make a difference in the neighborhood within our broader mission of safety through awareness and prevention.
See you there!
twitter.com/dwscmt
http://groups.google.com/group/DWSCMT
Closed Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking (Registered User)