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Lead out in cuffs posted:A first look at the upcoming transit/cycling/anti-congestion funding referendum in Metro Vancouver: A good majority of transportation referendums will get passed - even if it's for a facility that the majority won't be using. Most people understand that funding directly into infrastructure is a good idea, even if their perception of taxes overall is heavily negative.
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Dec 13, 2014 17:01
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Cichlidae posted:A good majority of transportation referendums will get passed - even if it's for a facility that the majority won't be using. Most people understand that funding directly into infrastructure is a good idea, even if their perception of taxes overall is heavily negative. ... unless you're in Florida. 
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Dec 13, 2014 17:45
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Varance posted:... unless you're in Florida. Weren't they on the ballot essentially as  1% SALES TAX INCREASE for transportation infrastructure which spooked the conservative midterm electorate?
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Dec 13, 2014 18:10
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Dominus Vobiscum posted:Weren't they on the ballot essentially as Both Pinellas and Polk went down in flames because old people don't want to spend more of their precious retirement money, even if it's for good cause. You see, they still need to be able to afford to pay for their own gas and car insurance. PSTA management is also horrible and managed to have some pretty large blunders in the run-up to the vote, including misusing Homeland Security money to advertise the referendum instead of advertising security awareness on-board public transit. PSTA's union steals from its members, allegations of vehicle maintenance sabotage, etc.. That last one was a doozy... they had to cancel all morning service because they found missing lugs on multiple vehicles, and then subsequently royally screwed up the "compensation period" of free fares. Yeah, let people ride for free from 5AM to 1PM when the only thing you sell at the farebox is a day pass. Pinellas is funny in that they already have a full cent for roads that could legally be used for transit. But the county has already committed to spending every last cent the tax generates on roads. Pinellas is also shrinking because of how backwards things are over there. Younger generations prefer to move to Hillsborough in droves, as Pinellas is stuck in the 1950s. Combined with the slow passing of its senior citizens, population growth is negative... in one of the fastest growing states. Anyway, in regard to the ballot measure, wording is defined in the Florida statues as: pre:The following question shall be placed on the ballot: FOR the -cent sales tax AGAINST the -cent sales tax ---------------- Edit: Across the bay, HART's transparency stuff is up now. The documents in that section describe every financial transaction of the agency, all the way down to the exact dollar amounts of everyone's paychecks. Varance fucked around with this message at 19:35 on Dec 13, 2014 |
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Dec 13, 2014 18:30
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dupersaurus posted:I've always assumed, with that memorial at the rest stop they wanted it to be accessible to both directions, and having the them crossover was cheaper than having it on one side, and giving the other side some big exit/overpass. That's exactly why it was done. Both sides of the freeway get right-side exits.
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Dec 13, 2014 23:46
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Except that they had to build two overpasses instead of one, so I'm not seeing the benefit..?
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Dec 14, 2014 02:03
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Choadmaster posted:Except that they had to build two overpasses instead of one, so I'm not seeing the benefit..? They would've needed two overpasses over two barrels of traffic otherwise, so they cut their number of bridge spans in half.
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Dec 14, 2014 02:12
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If space isn't a constraint, you can easily do it with one bridge:
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Dec 14, 2014 12:22
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Carbon dioxide posted:If space isn't a constraint, you can easily do it with one bridge: North end: https://www.google.com/maps/@27.6494797,-82.6742437,769m/data=!3m1!1e3 South end: https://www.google.com/maps/@27.583924,-82.6128184,327m/data=!3m1!1e3 Varance fucked around with this message at 18:18 on Dec 14, 2014 |
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Dec 14, 2014 17:56
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There's also this method which eliminates any conflicts and also has one of the few non-DDI instances of traffic driving on the left in the US. No turnarounds, though, as that portion of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is a closed-system toll road.
Dominus Vobiscum fucked around with this message at 19:23 on Dec 14, 2014 |
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Dec 14, 2014 19:21
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Grundulum posted:Funny you should say that. I actually did stay at a hotel in Russia this summer I would describe as "earplugs mandatory".
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Dec 16, 2014 01:23
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GWBBQ posted:The Merritt Parkway in CT originally had picnic areas on the median and deer hunting from the shoulders was popular enough in the '30s and '40s that the state ran a PR and advertising campaign to get people to stop because of safety. The road is a traffic and safety nightmare, but when traffic is light it is a nice drive and the bridges are great, if not well preserved, examples of Art Deco architecture (I really want to see the White Oak Shade Road bridge, which is structurally deficient and visibly falling apart, rebuilt and painted with the original bright white.) I drove down the Merritt yesterday, and some of the bridges are in reeeeally bad shape. They're a pain to repair since the clearance is so low and because they have to be replaced pretty much identically to the original. I saw one overpass where the concrete on the fascia had almost completely spalled off, so even replacing it with a new (and equally beautiful) design would be an improvement. By the way, the state's going to complete the 7/15 interchange soon. The design's been finalized, the money's allocated, and now it's time to bid.
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Dec 16, 2014 13:11
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I don't know how I feel about the new MassDoT. All over the state, they've been re-painting and adding signs and generally trying to make driving safer and easier. I don't know if I'm comfortable with that. Now they're adding flashing yellow arrows to make permissive lefts safer. This seems inimical to the Masshole way.
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Dec 16, 2014 15:45
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Jethro posted:I don't know how I feel about the new MassDoT. All over the state, they've been re-painting and adding signs and generally trying to make driving safer and easier. I don't know if I'm comfortable with that. Now they're adding flashing yellow arrows to make permissive lefts safer. This seems inimical to the Masshole way. Would this make Mass the second state (after SC, I believe) to adopt the flashing yellow left? Man I would KILL to get repainted lines on Route 3, 495, and most of 128. It seems the state never restripes roads unless it repaves them, which is nonsense.
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Dec 16, 2014 19:14
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kefkafloyd posted:Would this make Mass the second state (after SC, I believe) to adopt the flashing yellow left? We've had them in NC for a few years now. In fact, I just saw a new variation where it's just three lights: the flashing arrow and no green.
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Dec 16, 2014 19:23
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dupersaurus posted:We've had them in NC for a few years now. In fact, I just saw a new variation where it's just three lights: the flashing arrow and no green. NC, that's it. Forgive me.
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Dec 16, 2014 19:35
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What do you call those short dashes in big intersections usually with multiple left turn lanes to help guide cars? Cat tracks? An intersection I saw recently got flashing ones, they flash in a row like airport landing lights. I think a lot of people were turning left into the wrong lane or oncoming lane so the whole road flashes to direct them to the correct lane when the left turn signal is active. Never seen that before!
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Dec 16, 2014 19:41
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Baronjutter posted:What do you call those short dashes in big intersections usually with multiple left turn lanes to help guide cars? Cat tracks? An intersection I saw recently got flashing ones, they flash in a row like airport landing lights. I think a lot of people were turning left into the wrong lane or oncoming lane so the whole road flashes to direct them to the correct lane when the left turn signal is active. Never seen that before! The I-95 South exit to FL SR84 West has something like those, to prevent people from accidentally turning head-on into westbound traffic. It's hilarious looking at night.
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Dec 16, 2014 19:53
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kefkafloyd posted:Would this make Mass the second state (after SC, I believe) to adopt the flashing yellow left? They've been widespread in Florida for a couple years now. Mass is actually a bit slow to get on that bandwagon. Baronjutter posted:What do you call those short dashes in big intersections usually with multiple left turn lanes to help guide cars? Cat tracks? An intersection I saw recently got flashing ones, they flash in a row like airport landing lights. I think a lot of people were turning left into the wrong lane or oncoming lane so the whole road flashes to direct them to the correct lane when the left turn signal is active. Never seen that before! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMjZOXt8MtU MrYenko posted:The I-95 South exit to FL SR84 West has something like those, to prevent people from accidentally turning head-on into westbound traffic. It's hilarious looking at night. Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-j2rngB3_8 Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toPS-16pjiA Varance fucked around with this message at 21:06 on Dec 16, 2014 |
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Dec 16, 2014 19:55
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Varance, did you some how know the exact intersection I was talking about or is that an amazing coincidence that the video you posted happened to be the exact intersection by where my wife works that I was talking about?? My mind is a bit blown right now.
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Dec 16, 2014 23:42
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If turning lane lights are a pretty new thing then it's quite likely the company just used that as it's one of the first and only examples in the wild. No need for the  !
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Dec 16, 2014 23:46
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The Deadly Hume posted:If turning lane lights are a pretty new thing then it's quite likely the company just used that as it's one of the first and only examples in the wild. Exactly. Pilot programs usually consist of only one or two installations until the tech is studied and approved for wider use. The company pushing the tech always makes a big deal out of them.
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Dec 17, 2014 01:32
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Jethro posted:I don't know how I feel about the new MassDoT. All over the state, they've been re-painting and adding signs and generally trying to make driving safer and easier. I don't know if I'm comfortable with that. Now they're adding flashing yellow arrows to make permissive lefts safer. This seems inimical to the Masshole way. Are there any explanatory signs at these intersections? It seems intuitive to me, but I'm sure plenty of people will be confused the first time they pull up.
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Dec 17, 2014 03:18
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Kakairo posted:Are there any explanatory signs at these intersections? It seems intuitive to me, but I'm sure plenty of people will be confused the first time they pull up. Minnesota has been putting in flashing yellows as well. All of the older ones and most of the newer (last 1/2 year) ones have signs. Maybe they're hoping people have it figured out by now.
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Dec 17, 2014 05:14
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Flashing yellow is a lot more popular than I thought, wow.
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Dec 17, 2014 05:39
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I have seen a good deal of flashing yellow used down here in southwest Virginia, though I still don't see what benefit it has over 5 light setups where end of protected left turns to just a green.
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Dec 17, 2014 07:00
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Huh. I don't think I've ever seen a flashing yellow arrow in many years of driving around CT, MA, and RI. I guess I will soon enough.
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Dec 17, 2014 07:41
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Flashing yellow arrows for permissive lefts are a thing here in southern Oregon as well.
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Dec 17, 2014 07:50
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Nintendo Kid posted:I have seen a good deal of flashing yellow used down here in southwest Virginia, though I still don't see what benefit it has over 5 light setups where end of protected left turns to just a green. The 5-light setup doesn't allow you to give a permissive left while holding back thru-traffic on the same direction. Maybe not a huge deal. But I've seen them installed on two-left-lane intersections, which is great since those never used to get permissive lefts.
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Dec 17, 2014 14:37
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http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2014/12/a-widely-used-planning-manual-tends-to-recommend-building-far-more-roads-than-needed/383759/ Usin' bad metrics and buildin' too many roads!
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Dec 17, 2014 15:55
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Silver95280 posted:Minnesota has been putting in flashing yellows as well. All of the older ones and most of the newer (last 1/2 year) ones have signs. Maybe they're hoping people have it figured out by now. If they're common across the state now, then the need for signs is diminished. Still, I would put signs at intersections near state borders and Interstate off-ramps to inform out-of-staters. I've never seen a flashing yellow arrow in IL, WI, or IN.
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Dec 17, 2014 16:31
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I've rarely seen an intersection with a left arrow without a sign. All the old ones around me have the standard "Left turn yield on green" and the new ones have "Left turn must yield on flashing yellow."
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Dec 17, 2014 16:38
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SurgicalOntologist posted:Huh. I don't think I've ever seen a flashing yellow arrow in many years of driving around CT, MA, and RI. I guess I will soon enough. Yeah but we've got flashing greens around Boston. A flashing yellow wouldn't be the least intuitive traffic control device I've seen by far.
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Dec 17, 2014 18:11
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Nintendo Kid posted:I have seen a good deal of flashing yellow used down here in southwest Virginia, though I still don't see what benefit it has over 5 light setups where end of protected left turns to just a green. I lived in Christiansburg/Blacksburg from 2001 to 2010 or so, and I don't recall any of these. Are they recent?
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Dec 17, 2014 18:19
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ConfusedUs posted:I lived in Christiansburg/Blacksburg from 2001 to 2010 or so, and I don't recall any of these. Are they recent? Must be, I've only been here since 2013. There's several on South Main from the intersection just before the Kroger coming from town down to the interchange with the bypass, and then a few are present on 11 and a few roads over in Roanoke. Then there's two on University City Boulevard.
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Dec 18, 2014 01:25
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Kakairo posted:If they're common across the state now, then the need for signs is diminished. Still, I would put signs at intersections near state borders and Interstate off-ramps to inform out-of-staters. I've never seen a flashing yellow arrow in IL, WI, or IN. They've been in Wisconsin for a few years now. http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/flashing-yellow.htm - dated March 2011.
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Dec 18, 2014 14:54
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Cichlidae posted:I drove down the Merritt yesterday, and some of the bridges are in reeeeally bad shape. They're a pain to repair since the clearance is so low and because they have to be replaced pretty much identically to the original. I saw one overpass where the concrete on the fascia had almost completely spalled off, so even replacing it with a new (and equally beautiful) design would be an improvement. https://goo.gl/maps/Dj1hK (the repaired section has since fallen off or hopefully been intentionally removed by the DOT) https://goo.gl/maps/ZXurr (it's been like that for 10+ years) https://goo.gl/maps/aV2eV (probably won't actually split in half and fall to both sides cartoon-style)
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Dec 19, 2014 04:16
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http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/12/major-chicago-study-finds-red-light-cameras-not-safer-cause-more-rear-end-injuries/quote:Major Chicago study finds red light cameras not safer, cause more rear-end injuries Anyone surprised? Hippie Hedgehog fucked around with this message at 22:31 on Dec 20, 2014 |
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Dec 20, 2014 22:05
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Hippie Hedgehog posted:http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/12/major-chicago-study-finds-red-light-cameras-not-safer-cause-more-rear-end-injuries/ Not at all. The closest calls I've had driving were all because of people jamming on the breaks on the highway or freaking out / getting distracted after noticing a police speed trap or special enforcement area. I think we really need a better traffic and safety enforcement ideology other than just catching speeders. But they're the lowest hanging fruit and very profitable.
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Dec 20, 2014 23:35
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All this complaining about red light cameras seems bizarre to me and I never heard of it outside of these forums. In the Netherlands they're a pretty standard feature, hardly anyone complains about them because everyone pretty much agrees that running a red light is bad. Of course, we do have sane yellow times... I haven't heard of accidents from people seeing them either, I guess because it's quite common to see them.
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Dec 21, 2014 00:33
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