US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Apr 20th 2005, 12:27 pm
#1
A lion in your lap
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
"A new survey being released Wednesday says the nation’s traffic signal operations are largely inefficient, leading to frustration and unnecessary delays for motorists, wasted fuel and more air pollution as vehicles constantly stop and go."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7569757/
I think we pretty much knew that, but does anybody else think there's a simple solution to at least some of these inefficient/wasteful traffic lights that's staring them in the face and totally missing from this article? Something that you'll find quite a few of in Britain and Europe? You know, they're kind of round....
I know we've had this kind of discussion on here before, but it still amazes me when I see articles like this that don't even begin to acknowledge that there is even an alternative to stop lights for some intersections.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7569757/
I think we pretty much knew that, but does anybody else think there's a simple solution to at least some of these inefficient/wasteful traffic lights that's staring them in the face and totally missing from this article? Something that you'll find quite a few of in Britain and Europe? You know, they're kind of round....
I know we've had this kind of discussion on here before, but it still amazes me when I see articles like this that don't even begin to acknowledge that there is even an alternative to stop lights for some intersections.
Apr 20th 2005, 12:38 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Posts: 5,270
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
While they're at it, somebody tell them that you don't need a stop sign at the end of every road!
Apr 20th 2005, 1:01 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Why no rounderbouts? Do you think that they could not cope with them.
Apr 20th 2005, 1:04 pm
#4
roamin in the gloamin
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,400
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Originally Posted by britvic
Why no rounderbouts? Do you think that they could not cope with them.
Apr 20th 2005, 1:05 pm
#5
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Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Originally Posted by britvic
Why no rounderbouts? Do you think that they could not cope with them.
Apr 20th 2005, 1:12 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: New York City
Posts: 89
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Originally Posted by elfman
"A new survey being released Wednesday says the nation’s traffic signal operations are largely inefficient, leading to frustration and unnecessary delays for motorists, wasted fuel and more air pollution as vehicles constantly stop and go."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7569757/
I think we pretty much knew that, but does anybody else think there's a simple solution to at least some of these inefficient/wasteful traffic lights that's staring them in the face and totally missing from this article? Something that you'll find quite a few of in Britain and Europe? You know, they're kind of round....
I know we've had this kind of discussion on here before, but it still amazes me when I see articles like this that don't even begin to acknowledge that there is even an alternative to stop lights for some intersections.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7569757/
I think we pretty much knew that, but does anybody else think there's a simple solution to at least some of these inefficient/wasteful traffic lights that's staring them in the face and totally missing from this article? Something that you'll find quite a few of in Britain and Europe? You know, they're kind of round....
I know we've had this kind of discussion on here before, but it still amazes me when I see articles like this that don't even begin to acknowledge that there is even an alternative to stop lights for some intersections.
Apr 20th 2005, 1:12 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Posts: 5,270
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
They just opened a new open air shopping centre (much like a high street really) that has a roundabout connecting the various side streets. After a few weeks up sprung a sign with arrows showing you which way to go. A few weeks later up popped a sign with the 'rules' spelled out. A few weeks after that I drove round it and somebody pulled out in front of me.
All they need is way less stop signs and lights, more roundabouts and give way signs.
All they need is way less stop signs and lights, more roundabouts and give way signs.
Apr 20th 2005, 1:18 pm
#8
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Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Originally Posted by Duncan Roberts
They just opened a new open air shopping centre (much like a high street really) that has a roundabout connecting the various side streets. After a few weeks up sprung a sign with arrows showing you which way to go. A few weeks later up popped a sign with the 'rules' spelled out. A few weeks after that I drove round it and somebody pulled out in front of me.
All they need is way less stop signs and lights, more roundabouts and give way signs.
All they need is way less stop signs and lights, more roundabouts and give way signs.
Apr 20th 2005, 1:18 pm
#9
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Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,113
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Its just 4 way stops and turning left on green with two lanes or more of traffic coming towards you with a left turning lane opposite to you, so you cannot actually see the first lane of traffic coming at you while you attempt to cross, if there is a row of cars. Its an accident waiting to happen.
4 way stops get messy when 4 cars reach the stop sign at the same time. After you, no after you....
We have plenty of mini roundabouts here, but all of them are in residential areas.
4 way stops get messy when 4 cars reach the stop sign at the same time. After you, no after you....
We have plenty of mini roundabouts here, but all of them are in residential areas.
Apr 20th 2005, 1:31 pm
#10
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Joined: Jan 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 527
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
all the stop signs are ridiculous but if they didn't have them people would just pull straight out like they do at "yield" signs. They should definitely have the UK "Give Way" signs - maybe they'd understand that!
Apr 20th 2005, 1:42 pm
#11
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
There are only 3 sets of traffic lights in the county where I live.
Apr 20th 2005, 1:44 pm
#12
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Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Uh yeah but in Britian isnt there some kind of whacky drive to put traffic lights on roundabouts?
Apr 20th 2005, 1:46 pm
#13
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Originally Posted by ImHere
Uh yeah but in Britian isnt there some kind of whacky drive to put traffic lights on roundabouts?
Apr 20th 2005, 1:47 pm
#14
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Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Originally Posted by ImHere
Uh yeah but in Britian isnt there some kind of whacky drive to put traffic lights on roundabouts?
Apr 20th 2005, 1:51 pm
#15
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: US traffic lights are inefficient - surprise
Originally Posted by emmals
the Americans are easily confused though........would leed to grid lock on all roads
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