Could/Should traffic lights become a thing of the past?
Discussion
Sorry if a repost, but I have just come accross an experiment.
http://www.wimp.com/trafficlights/
Remarkable, Common sense.
http://www.wimp.com/trafficlights/
Remarkable, Common sense.
I've seen a few junctions recently that the lights have failed on.
Bearing in mind they were short term failures so people still get the panic mode on the result was freer flowing traffic, more courteous lane discipline and letting people go/thanking them.
Because your not stopping every 100 yards for red lights you don't feel as if your rushing so there was no sprinting away from being stopped to try to beat the next set of lights, result slower more relaxed driving. Less emissions, less potential for accidents, less stress, less noise, less fuel consumption.
Bearing in mind they were short term failures so people still get the panic mode on the result was freer flowing traffic, more courteous lane discipline and letting people go/thanking them.
Because your not stopping every 100 yards for red lights you don't feel as if your rushing so there was no sprinting away from being stopped to try to beat the next set of lights, result slower more relaxed driving. Less emissions, less potential for accidents, less stress, less noise, less fuel consumption.
Given the number of drivers incapable of turning their heads, or their eyes to the right as they enter roundabouts I think traffic lights could be a good thing.
US traffic laws? They have weird stop lines. They have stop lines where it makes no sense and if an oncoming car stops at the stop line before you you're supposed to let it move off rather than just stopping at the stop line and then pulling away.
Mandatory periodic retests for all drivers, especially those people incapable or looking right as they enter roundabouts. What's the thought process there? If I look right and someone is coming I may have brake, change gear and then pull away again so it's better if I pretend I've not seen them and just keep going?
US traffic laws? They have weird stop lines. They have stop lines where it makes no sense and if an oncoming car stops at the stop line before you you're supposed to let it move off rather than just stopping at the stop line and then pulling away.
Mandatory periodic retests for all drivers, especially those people incapable or looking right as they enter roundabouts. What's the thought process there? If I look right and someone is coming I may have brake, change gear and then pull away again so it's better if I pretend I've not seen them and just keep going?
Edited by carinaman on Friday 15th October 11:19
carinaman said:
US traffic laws? They have weird stop lines. They have stop lines where it makes no sense and if an oncoming car stops at the stop line before you you're supposed to let it move off rather than just stopping at the stop line and then pulling away.
I have American friends that complain about getting a ticket for not doing a "complete stop" at a stop sign. It seems to be a popular way for town councils to generate revenue.Many American STOP signs are retarded and, even if you are in the middle of nowhere with nobody around, you must come to a complete stop before moving off again. As someone who traditionally hated slushboxes I was converted after a few days of driving in America. It would drive you bonkers having to shift gears and operate a clutch that often in such short distances.
There's a junction on the way out of Bracknell as you head through Warfield that has gained some lights in the last year or so (Not sure of the exact timings). Before it used to be a nice free flowing junction with most people coming from Bracknell and turning left or coming from maidenhead turing right. Now there are big queses of cars in both directions every morning and afternoon and the whole thing is a pain to use.
I suspect it was done in the same of safety as there were several crashes on the crossroads. The only trouble is there have been at least two big smashes since the lights went in so they've failed there too!
I suspect it was done in the same of safety as there were several crashes on the crossroads. The only trouble is there have been at least two big smashes since the lights went in so they've failed there too!
k off!!LuS1fer said:
The American 4-way stop signs are a nightmare and a bit like playing poker as to who will go first. I find many people treat red lights like they're not there anyway.
When we were in Canada they worked really well - people genuinely watched and took their turn! But I agree that it can become a nightmare of stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go.Turning right on a red (left in the UK) also worked really well, although here you'd need the space at junctions to make the most of it...
Re: lights and phasing - I see a lot of T-junctions (with separate lanes and filter-lights) where they just haven't thought about it - at a T-junction you have 6 separate lights (each road has 2 options when getting to the T), and you CAN operate 3 at a time without conflict. Except I've not seen one T-junction which employs this.
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