Comments on: It’s Got Everything To Do With Bicycles http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/ Because auto-centric city planning cannot be the apex of human innovation. Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:42:34 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Mark Brauer http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/#comment-46 Mark Brauer Sat, 24 May 2008 14:57:07 +0000 http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/#comment-46 You fail to mention the fact that the contractors who operate the red light camera systems are allowed to control the duration of the yellow light, often (most often?) shortening it below engineering guidelines for safe intersections. In these cases even those traveling at or below the speed limit are forced to make unpredictable moves. This, of course, increases the contractors revenue stream - and makes the intersection more dangerous for all. You fail to mention the fact that the contractors who operate the red light camera systems are allowed to control the duration of the yellow light, often (most often?) shortening it below engineering guidelines for safe intersections. In these cases even those traveling at or below the speed limit are forced to make unpredictable moves. This, of course, increases the contractors revenue stream – and makes the intersection more dangerous for all.

]]> By: Greg Raisman http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/#comment-45 Greg Raisman Fri, 23 May 2008 16:33:29 +0000 http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/#comment-45 Interesting story. You do have a factual error in there. While it's true that rear-end crashes increase when red light cameras are used, it is certainly not true that angle crashes increase. Turning and angle crashes decrease. Actually this phenomenon of increased rear-end and decreased angle and turning crashes appears to happen any time right of way assignment is strengthened. For example, take an uncontrolled intersection. If it turns out that there's crashes occurring because of right of way problems, a traffic engineer would install a stop (even if a yield sign is warranted) in one direction. Rear end crashes increase, angle and turning decrease. Then, you're still having right of way crash problems -- they're so strong you put in a traffic signal. Again, rear ends up, angle/turning down. Still having problems, so you strengthen it as much as possible by installing a red light camera that captures people violating the law, again rear ends up, angle/turning down. It's impossible to create a conflict free environment. A lot of times, you're trying to manage the number, but also the severity of crashes to reduce the likelihood of injury or death. Groups such as the motorists' group in your story claim that these safety devices are dangerous because of the increase in rear end crashes. Well, you're about 3.5 times more likely to be seriously injured or die in an angle or turning crash than in a rear end crash. They like to look past the reduced angle and turning crashes. Typically, red light cameras decrease angle and turning crashes by at least as much as rear end crashes are increased. Bottom line is, you wind up with less injury and death over time. Philosophical agendas lead to cherry picking the data. In our city, we've seen about a 40% reduction in injuries in intersections with red light cameras. Thanks for the good work you're doing in New Haven. Greg Raisman Community and School Traffic Safety Partnership Portland Office of Transportation Interesting story. You do have a factual error in there. While it’s true that rear-end crashes increase when red light cameras are used, it is certainly not true that angle crashes increase. Turning and angle crashes decrease.

Actually this phenomenon of increased rear-end and decreased angle and turning crashes appears to happen any time right of way assignment is strengthened. For example, take an uncontrolled intersection. If it turns out that there’s crashes occurring because of right of way problems, a traffic engineer would install a stop (even if a yield sign is warranted) in one direction. Rear end crashes increase, angle and turning decrease. Then, you’re still having right of way crash problems — they’re so strong you put in a traffic signal. Again, rear ends up, angle/turning down. Still having problems, so you strengthen it as much as possible by installing a red light camera that captures people violating the law, again rear ends up, angle/turning down.

It’s impossible to create a conflict free environment. A lot of times, you’re trying to manage the number, but also the severity of crashes to reduce the likelihood of injury or death.

Groups such as the motorists’ group in your story claim that these safety devices are dangerous because of the increase in rear end crashes. Well, you’re about 3.5 times more likely to be seriously injured or die in an angle or turning crash than in a rear end crash. They like to look past the reduced angle and turning crashes.

Typically, red light cameras decrease angle and turning crashes by at least as much as rear end crashes are increased. Bottom line is, you wind up with less injury and death over time.

Philosophical agendas lead to cherry picking the data. In our city, we’ve seen about a 40% reduction in injuries in intersections with red light cameras.

Thanks for the good work you’re doing in New Haven.

Greg Raisman
Community and School Traffic Safety Partnership
Portland Office of Transportation

]]> By: wricho http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/#comment-13 wricho Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:06:56 +0000 http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/#comment-13 Hey- Thanks for your comment. I'm actually not trying to build a consensus about riding bicycles, I'm merely providing a humorous commentary on traffic and bicycle riding as it relates. I'm not too worried if I make a joke in bad taste. BTW, I am a conservative bicycle rider. I have a "Bomb (insert enemy nation here)!" sticker on my bike! Hey-
Thanks for your comment. I’m actually not trying to build a consensus about riding bicycles, I’m merely providing a humorous commentary on traffic and bicycle riding as it relates. I’m not too worried if I make a joke in bad taste. BTW, I am a conservative bicycle rider. I have a “Bomb (insert enemy nation here)!” sticker on my bike!

]]> By: Bill http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/#comment-12 Bill Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:39:05 +0000 http://bikenewhaven.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/its-got-everything-to-do-with-bicycles/#comment-12 If you want to build a consensus about riding bicycles you would do better by not offending other groups that also ride bicycles. As in NRA members who are bicycle riders. You may not believe this but conservatives also ride. If you want to build a consensus about riding bicycles you would do better by not offending other groups that also ride bicycles. As in NRA members who are bicycle riders. You may not believe this but conservatives also ride.

]]>