Comments on MDOT improving pedestrian safety in the wake of tragedy - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Dorothy Gallagher

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:20:14 EDT

I want to thank Sarah Libbey, Cavan, MCDOT and SHA for addressing the tragedy on Rockville Pike. Rory was my nephew. He was a wonderful young man and so was Adam. I went over to the accident scene about 4:30 PM last Monday and I watched the many people waiting together to cross over from and to the Metro station. Everyone obeyed and waited for the pedestrian signal except for one person who cautiously waited for a red light and then walked. I think there should be more than one red light cycling before the White Flint metro. Maybe one or two lights before pedestrians cross at night. That makes sense to me. Also red light cameras should be put into place. Whether this will deter a drunk speeding driver is another issue. Let's give our young people a chance to live after they go out and have fun with their friends.

Comment by Sarah

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:44:11 EDT

Thank you to those who have left such kind and encouraging words on here.
To back up Cavan, Delegate Waldstreicher did an amazing job with helping to get this ball rolling and his follow through has been diligent. I would not have been able to get as far as I have, as fast as I have without him.
Erik I see what you are saying with the pedestrian red lights but keep in mind, the current light system we have has 2 modes, blinking after 12a and full color cycle 24/7. The changes they have made to 335 and Marinelli were both the fastest and most cost effective way to ensure safer roads for pedestrians.

Comment by Jason

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:33:03 EDT

For intersections with higher pedestrian volumes after midnight, they should continue to run the traffic lights in green/yellow/red mode, but reduce the cycle lengths or uncoordinate the signals so that the delays are minimized to the side streets. A shorter delay would promote better compliance by motorists, and since the side streets have detectors, the light would only change when a vehicle is waiting. It would also give the pedestrians the ability to use the walk signals.

Comment by grumpy

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 17:56:55 EDT

What Erik said+ 1. It's amazing to me that they don't have any safe crosswalks after a certain time of night!

Comment by jamie

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 11:49:48 EDT

It's wonderful to see someone using their grief to make a positive change in the world. If more people did this, the world would be a better place.

Comment by dht

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:09:04 EDT

IIRC there is a pedestrian tunnel under Rockville Pike at the White Flint station. This does not relieve drivers of their duty to watch for pedestrians, but it does show that someone (County, State, Metro?) did realize the danger of crossing the street here.

Comment by HM

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:25:49 EDT

Non-compliance? What happend to traffic light cameras?

Comment by Cavan

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:14:23 EDT

Kelsy, you'll notice from the text of the post that Delegate Waldstreicher has been very responsive. He facilitated the discussions between Sarah and the staff very well. I tried to paint him positively in the piece because he deserves it.

Comment by Bossi

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:00:27 EDT

@Kevin Springs-

Quick clarification: the autobahnen don't generally have speed limits, but all others roads do; and they're rigorously enforced. For the most part, though motorists tend to adhere to the speed limit partly out of cultural inclination & enforcement, but also because speed limits are better reflected in road design & context.

Comment by Kevin Springs

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:57:07 EDT

Cavan's quote: I'm guessing that the Pike is also wider than the streets in the small German towns.

My Response: We're not in Germany plus Germany doesn't have speed limits. And Rockville Pike will remain 6-7 Lanes as it is currently.

Comment by jfruh

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:52:44 EDT

@Bossi -- yes, those are what I'm thinking of! So, not quite the same thing, as the lights by the Metro stations are standard traffic signals, not just for the crosswalk. Still, the concept is similar...

Comment by Bossi

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:49:21 EDT

@jfruh-

Are you thinking of HAWK signals, or do they look like normal signals?

Comment by Kelsy

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:44:17 EDT

I think what Sarah is doing is much needed. I applaud her for her efforts and hope that Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher does waht he was elected to do--listen to the people. Way to go Sarah!

Comment by jfruh

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:42:49 EDT

Cavan, if I'm remembering correctly, this system is in use at crosswalks on the broad arterial boulevards in Tucson, which are generally 40 mph plus. The signals at the crosswalks are flashing yellow at all times (even during the day) unless pedestrians hit the button to cross. I think the key is that you just have to give enough of a lead-in to the red light to slow down drivers.

Comment by Cavan

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:36:45 EDT

Good comments. Just keep in mind that Rickville Pike currently has a 40 mph speed limit on that stretch. Is that too fast for a driver to see the flashing lights in the crosswalk in time? I'm guessing that the Pike is also wider than the streets in the small German towns.

Comment by C.J.

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:30:11 EDT

I like Erik's idea of a pedestrian activated red. Also, when that red is activated maybe some flashing lights along the crosswalk in the pavement to illuminate the pedestrians themselves.

Comment by jfruh

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:25:44 EDT

Seconding Erik's comments. I've seen lights that use this scheme in the United States, so it's shouldn't be a (literal) foreign concept to local planners.

Comment by Erik Weber

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:51:29 EDT

Is it not possible to have a button activated red-light cycle combined with pedestrian walk lights while the intersection is in flashing-yellow mode?

I've to many smaller towns in Germany where a traffic light goes from its typical cycle to flashing yellow after a certain hour, but pedestrians can push a walk button which will trigger a solid yellow light and then a red light for cars, and give the pedestrians a walk light.

I agree with the Delegate that non-compliance often occurs when light cycles continue long past a time when they are necessary, so it seems like a solution like this would be ideal. After all, those intersections will only see an influx of pedestrians ever 20 minutes or so on a Friday or Saturday night.