In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
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Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#2Bollards. Give residents proximity sensors which allow them and only them access thru the bollards. Piggy backing will happen but they'll be waiting a log time.
Not saying place them everywhere just make it so the open streets are more mazelike so when friends need to visit there is a way in, it just happens to be byzantine, frustrating interlopers who want to cut through.
Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#3Bollards. Give residents proximity sensors which allow them and only them access thru the bollards. Piggy backing will happen but they'll be waiting a log time. Not saying place them everywhere just make it so the open streets are more mazelike so when friends need to visit there is a way in, it just happens to be byzantine, frustrating interlopers who want to cut through.
Taking the side streets to avoid the main road is called "rat-running" in Britain.
Raising/lowering bollards are expensive, and tend only to be used where some vehicles (typically buses) are permitted but others aren't. Tailgating doesn't work [1]!
The more common solution is fixed bollards, gates or similar, configured so cyclists can pass, which means they can perhaps make a route using only the quiet streets.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRCA8MvedIo (before anyone defends the tailgaters, the signs are exceptionally clear.)
Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#4Bollards. Give residents proximity sensors which allow them and only them access thru the bollards. Piggy backing will happen but they'll be waiting a log time. Not saying place them everywhere just make it so the open streets are more mazelike so when friends need to visit there is a way in, it just happens to be byzantine, frustrating interlopers who want to cut through.
Taking the side streets to avoid the main road is called "rat-running" in Britain. Raising/lowering bollards are expensive, and tend only to be used where some vehicles (typically buses) are permitted but others aren't. Tailgating doesn't work [1]! The more common solution is fixed bollards, gates or similar, configured so cyclists can pass, which means they can perhaps make a route using only the quiet streets. [1]…
Taking the side streets to avoid the main road is called "rat-running" in Britain.
Waze has actually created a lot of angst in some previously-quieter areas, like Los Gatos CA being inundated with Waze users seeking ways around beach-bound traffic.
Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#5Bollards. Give residents proximity sensors which allow them and only them access thru the bollards. Piggy backing will happen but they'll be waiting a log time. Not saying place them everywhere just make it so the open streets are more mazelike so when friends need to visit there is a way in, it just happens to be byzantine, frustrating interlopers who want to cut through.
That's called a gated community and you don't get to fund them with taxpayer money. If you don't want to deal with plebeians on your roads, then you need to pay a developer to build private roads.
LA streets do not belong to the neighborhoods, they belong to the city. If neighbors are concerned about congestion, perhaps they should support policy that promotes density and mass transit.
Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#6Bollards. Give residents proximity sensors which allow them and only them access thru the bollards. Piggy backing will happen but they'll be waiting a log time. Not saying place them everywhere just make it so the open streets are more mazelike so when friends need to visit there is a way in, it just happens to be byzantine, frustrating interlopers who want to cut through.
That's called a gated community and you don't get to fund them with taxpayer money. If you don't want to deal with plebeians on your roads, then you need to pay a developer to build private roads. LA streets do not belong to the neighborhoods, they belong to the city. If neighbors are concerned about congestion, perhaps they should support policy that promotes density and mass transit.
Promote an over-supply of housing (many story apartments) and small consumer service establishments (ground floors) near job clusters.
For mass transit to work best make it /fast/ above all else make it fast. If it takes longer to take the transit than it does to drive it's not a viable option.
Another possibility for alleviating congestion is to provide parking silos at the edge of the city network and well connected local transit from them.
However the best thing that can be done to end gridlock? Self driving cars save us please!
Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
Taking the side streets to avoid the main road is called "rat-running" in Britain. Raising/lowering bollards are expensive, and tend only to be used where some vehicles (typically buses) are permitted but others aren't. Tailgating doesn't work [1]! The more common solution is fixed bollards, gates or similar, configured so cyclists can pass, which means they can perhaps make a route using only the quiet streets. [1]…
Taking the side streets to avoid the main road is called "rat-running" in Britain. Here, it's called Waze . Waze has actually created a lot of angst in some previously-quieter areas, like Los Gatos CA being inundated with Waze users seeking ways around beach-bound traffic.
Since I occasionally use that highway (and don't cut through), I have a suggestion for Los Gatos. If they don't want their streets used, close the southbound entrance to 17. No one will cut through and highway traffic will improve, because there isn't an uncontrolled merge onto a 2 lane highway. Of course those that live there like having an uncontrolled merge, because it makes their life easier so don't hold your breath.
Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#8This problem is solved in Berzerkeley and for cheap. [0]
[0] https://www.google.com/maps/@37.8633369,-122.2652156,3a,75y,...
Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#9I've noticed some of the "Waze shortcuts' making their way into Google maps. Some of these are pretty hairy. For anyone familiar with SF, here's an example:
To get from 8th & Bryant to 3rd & Bryant, Google Maps/Waze wants you to get on I-80 at 8th and exit at 4th. That would be OK but you enter 80 from the left side of the interstate and must exit within a quarter mile to the right side of the interstate. This means crossing 4 lanes to get there. It's actually do-able in bumper-to-bumper gridlock but when traffic is moving it's pretty dangerous. Why not just go down Bryant Street? The "shortcut" can't save more 2 minutes at best and at worst costs 10+ minutes.
Waze used to be good for spotting cops and speed traps. Now it's just a collection of bad "short cuts".
Re: In L.A., One Way to Beat Traffic Runs into Backlash
#10This problem is solved in Berzerkeley and for cheap. [0] [0] https://www.google.com/maps/@37.8633369,-122.2652156,3a,75y,...
Mountain View has done the same thing.
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.3814583,-122.0585511,3a,75y,...