Monday, April 14, 2008

wide ogive parking lots danger


D: this is a nasty traffic pinch point. It is bad for walkers and cyclists.
It is by the sports complex on Father David Bauer Drive.
When events are getting out, there is a steady stream of cars that pour out with rolling stops. Perhaps they are trying to be courteous to the drivers behind them. Nonetheless, this stretch is very dangerous on foot or bike during such times. The sidewalk is behind a fence visibility barrier for most of the road. However, there is 10-20' of visibility - if they look...

I am sure the occasional cop car parked nearby would fix that.

D: there is a similar traffic pinch point for pedestrians on Northfield.
The mall on the corner of King and Northfield has a liquor store.
I'll snap a pic on the way to work today.
I have nearly been smacked there repeatedly.
That spot has traffic spilling out onto Northfield.
The sidewalk is recessed from the street about 10'. On the bright side, it didn't get buried by the snow plow this winter.
On the down side, the parking lot exit and entrance lanes have a gradual long rounded ogive shape. Cars have a habit of beginning to accelerate prior to the sidewalk.
Most drivers don't look specifically for pedestrians, being intent on oncoming traffic.
You see the problem?
I'd like to see broad parking lot exit lanes with very gradual curves banned.
I don't want cars to be able to gun their engines near the sidewalks.
I know it is nice to merge with traffic at speed, but just having the nearby stop light on Northfield turn on occasionally would take care of that.
This is rolling stop heck for pedestrians.

I always said I thought the two most lethal martial art moves were the no-blind-spot-check and the rolling-stop. Cars can be 2000 pound martial art practitioners. Ouch.

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