A speed hump on every street?

Is more traffic-calming on the way? TJ Sullivan at Native Intelligence reports that signs are going up in some Westside neighborhoods encouraging residents to take an online survey about their attitudes about traffic calming. The bottom line: Would you be willing to face delays to reduce cut-through traffic. A sample:

Would you be in favor of traffic restrictions that may delay traffic LEAVING the neighborhood (to discourage cut-through traffic), even if it may result in some delay for you in leaving home and possible diversion of traffic to other neighborhood streets? (Examples of restrictions: turn restriction signs, delayed traffic signal timing, half-street closures, etc.)

Sullivan is skeptical ("What's next? A perimeter fence and border checkpoints?"). And the experience of Cheviot Hills is not exactly encouraging. What do you think about the spread of traffic calming? Hit the COMMENT button and speak out!

Comments

[bg mendell]

Dear S Burns-westside
......."don't install engineering obstacles to my right to use a public road......"
Okay, we will immediately remove Stop signs and speed limit signs and other "engineering obstacles" to your King of the Road testoserone dominance.

[S Burns - westside]

Although I support traffic calming on dead-end streets, cul-de-sacs and streets which do not connect through streets, they do not belong on through streets, even if they are mostly residential. Streets are PUBLIC accomodations and no more belong to the adjacent residents than to any other citizen. Living on through roads, which I do, does entail more noise and risks and this is choice people make when they choose a place to live.

Calming also destroys natural checks and balances in public policy. In Westchester, for example, civic groups are trying to block the widening of Lincoln Blvd, a major highway. Yet I just saw a letter in a local news-weekly chastising innovative motorists for using the writer's streets to lessen the severe chokepoint congestion on Lincoln at the point it will be widened. Actions require consequences: don't want me driving on your street, expand the main highway, otherwise don't install engineered obstacles to my right to use a public road paid for by all of our taxes to alleviate congestion you helped create.

[bg mendell]

Place a "Traffic Calming Zone" bump at each "School Crossing;" slow traffic where it is needed slowing the most.
While we are at it, eliminate on-street parking; this will ease traffic flow; plus,
there will be new demand for off-street parking lots/structures; thus, vacant lots and abandoned buildings/warehouses will suddenly become attractive
parking venues.
Winner, winner, winner!