CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
What happens if you turn off the traffic lights?
(5 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
-
Interesting read. I'd like to see that happening here, but doubt it...
Saying that, the lights were turned off at the first Kirkliston crossroads (coming form SQ) this morning- no vehicles near me, so rode through as if they weren't there...
Posted 6 years ago # -
Cross posting the thread drift from elsewhere...
What happens if you turn off the traffic lights?
Drivers will bully their way through.
The only places this work are where motorised vehicles are in a low percentage (how low?) compared to other travel modes.
Check it out with any UK signal controlled junction when the signals fail - do you see a pedestrian phase? Or do you see pedestrians sprint through gaps?
Or consider the priority a pedestrian has when crossing a side street - how many dare to exercise that priority and how many are punished (horns, revving, "nudging", sworn at) for daring to exercise it? And when they do exercise that priority, it's with an apologetic sprint or wave?
Contrast this on the roads surrounding a stadium after the match/show/whatever - the overspill of pedestrians into the streets means drivers are contrite.
Basically, as long as drivers outnumber active travellers at the junction, then drivers will rule the junction.
See also "shared space" which is found in access only roads in the Netherlands, and is attempted on thoroughfares in the UK...
Robert
Posted 6 years ago # -
See also: Roundabouts.
That's one example of what happens when you turn off the traffic lights.
Nice for drivers of motor vehicles, hellish for everyone else.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I know of a traffic light junction near Balerno where if the lights are out it is a much quieter neighbourhood, less revving, slower driving etc.
Got to hand it to the dutchies for pushing the envelope and passing it on the right hand side
Posted 6 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
