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hurricanejim Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,613 Points:2,266,265 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 12:27:16 AM Ignore hurricanejim Report Abuse A simple way for cities to increase the flow of traffic, help eliminate gridlock and at the same time make cars more fuel efficient.

hurricanejim

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Hamilton

Posts:11,613
Points:2,266,265
Joined:Aug 2006

Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 12:27:16 AM

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A simple way for cities to increase the flow of traffic, help eliminate gridlock and at the same time make cars more fuel efficient.

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JasTheAce All-Star Author Raleigh Posts:965 Points:171,360 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 5:13:46 PM Ignore JasTheAce Report Abuse why not
WEB0153 All-Star Author Maryland Posts:794 Points:155,050 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2012 9:05:43 AM Ignore WEB0153 Report Abuse This only works if the driver is going the correct speed limit & paying attention (not texting or talking on cell phone)
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,390 Points:1,121,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 6:24:29 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Yes
RalphHightower Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,299 Points:688,505 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 5:59:28 AM Ignore RalphHightower Report Abuse Yes, I don't like waiting or idling at red lights.
RalphHightower Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,299 Points:688,505 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 5:59:27 AM Ignore RalphHightower Report Abuse Yes, I don't like waiting or idling at red lights.
dgsteven All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:792 Points:205,825 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 3:16:34 AM Ignore dgsteven Report Abuse ye, I agree
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,241 Points:535,545 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Dec 14, 2012 7:26:19 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Well, Grumpycat, we don't live in a perfect world, do we? Occasionally (such as on curves and hills) there is an enlightened highway department that posts "Signal Ahead." Sometimes they even notify you if it's going red! We have a parkway with a sign on a signal post, "Signals Are Timed To Deter Speeding." A graffitist changed it, "...Timed To Annoy You."
GrumpyCat Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,606 Points:788,810 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 13, 2012 5:23:39 PM Ignore GrumpyCat Report Abuse Then they wouldn't be called "stop" lights if their purpose was NOT to stop and hinder traffic. Traffic lights should be networked. You should have an electronic transponder "license plate". Traffic lights should dynamically adjust to traffic demands. An indicator should be provided to drivers of advance notice for up coming traffic lights along with a hint, "If you drive X MPH then we'll make the lights change for you." But all that is way too much for the 6th grade education of bureaucrats who run the government.
conesuslake2 All-Star Author Florida Posts:733 Points:249,820 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 13, 2012 1:53:16 PM Ignore conesuslake2 Report Abuse Good idea!
hurricanejim Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,613 Points:2,266,265 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 13, 2012 11:56:23 AM Ignore hurricanejim Report Abuse In Hamilton,Ontario you can go the entire length of the city without catching a light if you drive at 52kph. That's about 31mpg for our American friends. Speeding doesn't help but consistency does! A busy time of day with more cars on the road might mean you'll actually get 1 or 2 lights for the entire ride.
tattoo666TX Champion Author Texas Posts:2,567 Points:344,480 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2012 2:50:32 PM Ignore tattoo666TX Report Abuse Did you know that if you drive the same roads every day, and have to go through the same lights every day, you can actually figure out how to get it timed to catch all, or most green. Running like a rabbit from light to light will not get it though.
Mr1lung All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:811 Points:164,150 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 8:27:25 PM Ignore Mr1lung Report Abuse That works for me
LKnight598 All-Star Author South Carolina Posts:808 Points:186,715 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 4:43:16 PM Ignore LKnight598 Report Abuse Great idea!
LauraLea5 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:779 Points:439,085 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 6:48:54 AM Ignore LauraLea5 Report Abuse Good idea!
13Octane Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,147 Points:332,165 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 12:26:47 AM Ignore 13Octane Report Abuse they try to do it.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,783 Points:2,894,635 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 12:09:38 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse This is right, but here in Lexington, Kentucky we have the poorest timed lights in the country. Some of the lights you can literally eat your lunch while you wait for them to change.
jenksjr All-Star Author Washington Posts:502 Points:36,275 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 11:09:37 PM Ignore jenksjr Report Abuse Build more round-about's and bypass roads.
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,241 Points:535,545 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 8:27:44 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Practically impossible in Boston. Few streets are laid out in grids, and the drivers are aggressive idiots.
Skyjunky Veteran Author Portland Posts:482 Points:89,445 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 29, 2012 12:55:08 PM Ignore Skyjunky Report Abuse agree !
hrspwr77 Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,478 Points:120,585 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 29, 2012 12:47:08 PM Ignore hrspwr77 Report Abuse I agree 104%
13Octane Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,147 Points:332,165 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 3:44:38 PM Ignore 13Octane Report Abuse yep
installer All-Star Author San Diego Posts:925 Points:476,350 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 9:51:43 AM Ignore installer Report Abuse This gets my vote. Not for the altruistic reasons, but just because i'm lazy.
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,241 Points:535,545 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:11:50 AM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Amen, dontuknowOH! Those jack-rabbit habits are not only unsafe, but inefficient! Just watch people who maneuver, even swerve, between lanes as they jockey for position. Chances are you'll be within a car length or two of them at the next red light. Pay attention, you'll see--all that aggravation (and risk) is most always to no advantage. I hit mandatory retirement this year, and am now driving taxi part-time. Now I could run red lights, and probably get off by flashing my "Retired P.O." badge if pulled over. But it's not right, and I make good money driving in a relaxed manner. Guess I'm turning into an old fogey!
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:58:10 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Its pretty much normal for vehicles to bunch-up when stopping at lights,bunching close hitting the yellows is common,but 5 over allowed often becomes 10 over not by idiots but drivers that have a hurry attitude,resulting in the phrase "I speed up on yellows to clear the intersection"/if the yellow catches me,or I was glancng to my left mirror for a second....Really!... A hurried attitude driver uses normally more fuel,that pace is hard to change,others have made saving fuel a goal,some still don't know what they do wrong,or don't do to conserve,often I think back to when fuel was $.95 a gal.my habits have improved since. HABetterD....
kavalli1 Rookie Author California Posts:55 Points:136,180 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 11:36:25 PM Ignore kavalli1 Report Abuse yes
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,241 Points:535,545 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 10:35:21 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse dontyouknowOH, you put a lot of thought into that post. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure I followed it. But if I may add: the human element almost always confounds the most diligent of social engineers.* One is drivers in cross-traffic jumping their green. The other is people on the primary road running yellows and reds. Then there is the frustration of "the slinky effect:" You're several cars back, and it just takes several seconds for the cars ahead of you to get going and spread out. When they stop, of course, they compress. *Ever notice most social engineering comes from the political left-of-center?
Z12 Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,657 Points:758,710 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 8:19:55 PM Ignore Z12 Report Abuse Yes
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,908 Points:2,054,930 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 3:03:38 PM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Study in frustration.
BTP1535 Veteran Author Seattle Posts:364 Points:105,000 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 1:45:22 PM Ignore BTP1535 Report Abuse Agreed. Where I live, they have personnel constantly monitoring the intersections and making changes in the timing to make the flow of traffic more efficient. I would like to see this happen in other places.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,238 Points:328,285 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:32:06 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse yes I agree
Mikeyl Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,147 Points:1,184,695 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 9:10:38 AM Ignore Mikeyl Report Abuse This was done around here (SW Cleveland, OH) about 10 years ago. Now all the road sensors are breaking and the lights revert to "automatic mode" making them ineffective. If working properly, the light should allow you to get from one end of the city to the other without ever stopping more than once or twice (more if you cross a main artery that has a different light sync than your street).
MikeCapeCoral Champion Author Cape Coral Posts:1,927 Points:418,870 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 8:12:44 AM Ignore MikeCapeCoral Report Abuse This is done here in SW FL and it does help.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 8:06:35 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Often traffic is flowing 5 above the limits where control lights are set to the minimum on the yellow span,then often the vehicles going 5 + over and faster will clip into the red,partially,wholly,or after enter that red span(nearly under). The cross flow is held often 2 seconds longer red before going green,if no jump starts fine,but the worry is resuming traffic already in motion,that pass the jump starters > > Bang... is often the results When the yellows get longer saconds local traffic going 5 over the limit quickly learn the longer yellows and try for the jump threw growing to three vehicles at a time on longer yellows > > Bang again.... Then holdeng the cross flow red seconds longer helps the bang-ups a little but traffic back-ups occure slowing the flow,causing some jams/rear-enders. I thing more stricter control of the 5 over during heavy T.. flow hours along with reasonable yellows/delayed reds would smooth out things,there will always be an Idiot to watch out for,making that plural Really...Everybody gets to keep their related jobs,parts,labor,sevice,often depends on idiots (small letter) noted LOL
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,241 Points:535,545 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 22, 2012 2:24:16 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Traffic lights are the gods' way of showing how much they hate me.
sagnat Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,154 Points:307,510 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 11:08:46 PM Ignore sagnat Report Abuse Unfortunately that doesn't work in my area. The traffic signals aren't timed but rather triggered by cross traffic. Once in a while you catch a lucky streak and can cruise all the way to the interstate without cross traffic, other times it seems there is a car approaching each intersection. When that happens it is stop after stop after stop.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,040 Points:2,446,600 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 7:56:52 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse Yes. BUt during the holiday shopping season, it'll probably not be possible. too much traffic regardless.
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,241 Points:535,545 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 5:58:09 AM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse dontuknowOH, maybe their thinking is best expressed as this: "Yellow is saying, 'Hey! Here's your last chance! Hurry up right now, cause once some part of you is in the intersection --even if it's red -- that means you get to keep going!'" (Ooooops! where did that Mack truck come from...? Oooohhh, crap!!!"
bearscharger Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,327 Points:269,875 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 5:55:52 PM Ignore bearscharger Report Abuse they try to around me
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 11:38:12 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse After chatting with many drivers one would be surprised how many state yellow coming on only means proceed with caution/hopeing the car following behind makes it thru too. I remind the Wife,Yellow is signaling to prepare to brake/stop,then I hear Her say "there is a vehicle following me close,two in fact"! I say just touch your center brake light (r..mirror image) to come on slowing as you go on yellow,let the other Dho-Dhos slide into the intersection,there too close anyway. Tailgating and speed above the limits is the worse factor,short yellows V/S speed,see it all the time,5-10 mpg.over. No Mans Land ............
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,241 Points:535,545 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 11:02:58 AM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse In Boston, driver's believe that as long as you get any part of your vehicle across the stopline within the first 10 seconds of the red, then you have the right to proceed through the rest of the intersection. Whenever I pull them over for that, they say, "But Officer, I couldn't stop in the middle of the intersection!" I answer, "So why didn't you stop when it was yellow?" "I don't have to stop when it's yellow. Yellow simply means be careful." Assholes.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2012 8:24:10 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse One shopping area I frequently visit is often high in traffic and over 4 miles long strip from the basic center of town.Often coming that slower route home I traverse 15-17 traffic lights,normally making 11 of them on green at 37 mph zoned 40 and 45 mph.Great because at least 6 are long lights. I don't understand the functions when going the other direction,because catching more reds is normal,I have tried different methods to make the greens but only a little success,same lights going opposite direction even at different times,more red caught.The balance of right hand turns,lane seems the same,still puzzled, results in excess idle time,"Something is in the cookie-jar causing stale cookies" Seems... LOL Better gas prices there!
bmcrobOH Champion Author Toledo Posts:1,025 Points:247,045 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2012 1:14:21 AM Ignore bmcrobOH Report Abuse On my to and from work I use the Anthony Wayne Trail. I found that if you travel at the speed limit of 50 mpg then almost all the lights can be missed except for the light at Detroit Ave. Which may throw everything off. This is easier to accomplish when the traffic load is light.
13Octane Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,147 Points:332,165 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 5:07:33 PM Ignore 13Octane Report Abuse i know for a fact that they attempt to synchronize them. sometimes it appears that that isnt the case. oh well!
mnrick041 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,298 Points:1,368,085 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 6:44:58 PM Ignore mnrick041 Report Abuse It seems I either get all greens or all reds, depends on the day.
alphanyr Champion Author Connecticut Posts:4,820 Points:674,775 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 1:29:54 PM Ignore alphanyr Report Abuse awesome idea
wrmedic All-Star Author Nebraska Posts:923 Points:339,055 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 12:53:58 PM Ignore wrmedic Report Abuse Yes they sure help and are less stressful than a town that doesn't have them , but there is always the driver that thinks they have to be the first from the light and first to the next one.
jay93LA Champion Author New Orleans Posts:2,444 Points:598,735 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 6:59:25 AM Ignore jay93LA Report Abuse few cities seem to bother
mantarran Rookie Author Colorado Posts:37 Points:26,660 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2012 3:33:58 PM Ignore mantarran Report Abuse yup. one of many ways that smart driving can save you money
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2012 10:18:20 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse I have noticed when traveling sync.computer controlled zones mainly 40 or45 mph zones with always heavy shopping traffic the lights always favor the main paths of longer points to points. when the load has a few seconds of blank flow the computer goes to those seperate areas and allows those interjections to trigger other cross flow,Etc.(local sensors cycle to fill the traffic blanks of heavy main routes at a higher speed,eveninig congestion out. When reasonable ample distance between vehicles in motion is normal,not stopped B to Bpr of coarse,the sync helps the over all design system to work better if no collisions take place. So what causes collisions,too much damm speed, accelaration/hard braking/no signaling,snatching a close space in lane switching,ETC.probably already know the rest,The Emg..squads, bodyshops,hospitals do know! Even everyones pocketbook($$) knows.Maybe even the Weather.... knows?.
_Sparty_ Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,006 Points:689,915 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2012 9:14:20 AM Ignore _Sparty_ Report Abuse Works well with the system in Vegas. Chicago would never be so thoughtful to its citizens though.