Barnes Dance debuts

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Barnes Dance debuts

by Eric Fidler • May 12, 2010 2:13 pm

At 10 am today, DDOT's new Barnes Dance at 7th and H Streets NW in Chinatown went live. Unlike a traditional Barnes Dance, this configuration allows pedestrians to cross during the Barnes Dance (all-pedestrian) cycle and during each street's green cycle.

DDOT is prohibiting all turns for automobiles with this new configuration and we spotted the traffic control officers frequently directing drivers not to turn. In fact, at 0:28 in the video, you can see a traffic control officer directing a cab to continue straight through.

This is a pilot project and may require some modifications. For instance, it remains to be seen if drivers will continue to ignore the various "No Turns" signs and no-turn arrows when the traffic control officers aren't there.

Over in Georgetown, some are hoping that DDOT brings the dance to Wisconsin Avenue and M Street.

12 comments

Tags: Barnes Dance, Chinatown, DC, DDOT

Don't start dancing yet, Georgetown: Barnes Dance not always the answer (May 12, 2010)
More details on New Hampshire Ave contraflow bike lanes (Aug 8, 2008)
Pedestrian safety: Fines? Lights? Two-way streets? (Jun 20, 2008)
Pennsylvania Avenue cycle track slated for May (Mar 10, 2010)
Seven future improvements for the 15th Street bike lane (Nov 17, 2009)

Eric Fidler has lived in DC and suburban Maryland his entire life. He likes long walks along the Potomac and considers the L'Enfant Plan an elegant work of art. He also blogs at Left for LeDroit, LeDroit Park's (only) blog of record.

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Not sure I understand why there is both a Barnes Dance and no turns. It cuts down slightly on some caddy corner trips but it seems like that's it.

by Steven Yates on May 12, 2010 2:23 pm • link • report

Probably because the reality is that people will cross straight without waiting for the pedestrian cycle, causing delays on right turns (even if ban left turns) and traffic backups. By doing it this way it improves the traffic flow during the cars cycle, which presumably means fewer complaints.

by ah on May 12, 2010 2:51 pm • link • report

@ah
I imagine you are correct about pedestrian behavior, but couldn't the same thing be accomplished with just no turns at that intersection?

by Steven Yates on May 12, 2010 2:55 pm • link • report

Interestingly if they end up bringing this to Georgetown it will be only after they go from not allowing a left turn up Wisconsin to allowing it. (The idea is that cars wanting to go up Wisconsin are heading up 33rd and 31st and cutting over, thus still gumming up M while increasing traffic on the side streets. )

by TM on May 12, 2010 3:31 pm • link • report

This wasn't executed with proper process, etc. /bureaucrat

by Neil Flanagan on May 12, 2010 3:45 pm • link • report

this is how they do it in the UK

by andrew on May 12, 2010 3:51 pm • link • report

If they changed it to no turns, why bother with the "Barnes Dance" to begin with? Especially since pedestrians wouldn't have to worry about (legal) turning traffic during the normal green phase.

If they're going to keep the turn prohibition, then get rid of the separate pedestrian-only phase. If they're keeping the separate pedestrian phase, then at least allow right turns.

by Froggie on May 12, 2010 3:56 pm • link • report

Turns should be banned here with or without the Barnes Dance. The number of pedestrians at this intersection is immense given the Metro, Verizon Center, shops, and restaurants. The number of pedestrians never leaves enough time for cars to turn.

In addition, 7th and H is also a major transit point for many of Metrobus's busiest lines (the 70s and X2) as well as the Circulator which take a longer than normal loading passengers at this stop. I cannot count the number of times that I have seen cars whip around in front of buses in a blind turn and only narrowly avoid hitting pedestrians.

by Adam L on May 12, 2010 3:56 pm • link • report

seems kinda pointless if you allow peds during the drive part of the cycle, doesn't it? i mean, i get it; it can get pretty hard to turn right at all if there are tons of people. but if there are REALLY a lot of people you'll have the same problem with this variation.

by dmf on May 12, 2010 4:48 pm • link • report

I think they should bring in some mimes after the traffic control folks stop their work.

http://boingboing.net/2004/12/22/mayor-of-bogota-uses.html

by Eileen on May 12, 2010 11:05 pm • link • report

Stupid that no turns are allowed. What's the point then?

by DCbureaucrat on May 13, 2010 9:07 am • link • report

Are you serious? This is a bad idea for the District. The population of the District does not warrant the "Barnes Dance". This is NOT New York City, Tokyo, or Berlin!
In addition, it's a waste of taxpayer money having to hire additional city "traffic guards".

by goldthimble on May 14, 2010 1:10 am • link • report