Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:02 pm
TripleS wrote:I think it's happening because of the generally heightened sense of urgency felt by most people, allied to what often looks like unnecessary delays to progress.
Often a problem with some drivers because they only see their own side of a story. Jumping a red light prevents their delay, but can lead to delaying others.
TripleS wrote:We often see traffic held up in all directions seemingly for no reason, unless this arises from the combination of pedestrian crossing facilites with traffic lights. I'm all in favour of making provisions for aiding pedestrians in their safe crossing of roads, but I wonder if there are better ways of doing this.
The other options? Overbridges and Underpasses? The cost, space, planning requirements and desire line issues often make these options impratical and not economically viable. Roundabouts take up a lot of space, and are generally not cycle or pedestrian friendly options either.
TripleS wrote:However it happens it does appear to be causing more delay and congestion, especially in Scarborough, where they are embarking on schemes to install several more sets of traffic lights, as if the ones already in place haven't damaged the traffic flow sufficiently.
Chicken and Egg? Without some forms of traffic controls the town could grind to a halt?
Driving into the town centre without the need to stop is great until you're sitting on a side road wanting to join, or are a pedestrian wanting to cross. Again the individual driver needs to think a little more about the others who have to share the road space.
Implement traffic signals and queues will form, but it gives the traffic at minor roads at junctions an opportunity to merge and can accomodate cyclist/pedestrian movements.
I generally try to avoid taking the car into town centres and make use of rail/park and ride/cycling/walking to avoid the congestion. My love of driving doesn't include sitting in long queues.