3 ms·

It is an interesting idea, but retractable barriers aren't super reliable, get hit semi-frequently, and you'd need to design additional tools to assist emergenc

It is an interesting idea, but retractable barriers aren't super reliable, get hit semi-frequently, and you'd need to design additional tools to assist emergency vehicles. Red light cameras could likely solve the situation with no physical or mechanical considerations.

Miraste 7y ago
Red light cameras don't increase safety [1]. They may shift some of the injuries from pedestrians to drivers, but overall there's no benefit. [1] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3078079 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3078079
- tstrimple 7y ago
  I didn't see it mentioned, but I wonder if the study also accounts for the practice of reducing yellow light duration to increase revenue from red light cameras as a means of generating more revenue. https://www.motorists.org/blog/6-cities-that-were-caught-shortening-yellow-light-times-for-profit/ https://www.motorists.org/blog/6-cities-that-were-caught-sho...
  - mumblemumble 7y ago
    That was my first thought. Chicago's red light program is rather infamous, and, as a pedestrian, I do feel less safe at the intersections that had them installed. The lights change so fast that a motorists who presumably don't realize how ridiculously short the timing on Chicago traffic lights can be often sail through the intersection a good 1-2 seconds after the lights have signaled for crossing traffic - both vehicles and pedestrians - to proceed. IMO, the best system is the one they have in Montréal. The traffic lights work a bit differently from the rest of North America in several ways, but one is special "vertical green bar" lights indicating that you're only allowed to go straight. No turns allowed until the regular green lamp illuminates. This does a pretty effective job of encouraging motorists to wait for pedestrians. Québec drivers are somewhat famously aggressive, but I still felt safer as a pedestrian in Montréal than in any other North American city I've visited.
    - Izkata 7y ago
      I've seen green up arrows (to mean the same thing) plenty in the west suburbs of Chicago.
paulryanrogers 7y ago
Cameras can cause abrupt breaking and more collisions. Maybe if paired with gradual light transitions and barriers they could be a net benefit.
- mkl 7y ago
  That sounds like short light transitions, not cameras.
StanislavPetrov 7y ago
NYC is already stuffed with red light cameras as well as cameras that automatically give you speeding tickets.

Miraste 7y ago

Red light cameras don't increase safety [1]. They may shift some of the injuries from pedestrians to drivers, but overall there's no benefit. [1] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3078079 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3078079

tstrimple 7y ago
I didn't see it mentioned, but I wonder if the study also accounts for the practice of reducing yellow light duration to increase revenue from red light cameras as a means of generating more revenue. https://www.motorists.org/blog/6-cities-that-were-caught-shortening-yellow-light-times-for-profit/ https://www.motorists.org/blog/6-cities-that-were-caught-sho...
- mumblemumble 7y ago
  That was my first thought. Chicago's red light program is rather infamous, and, as a pedestrian, I do feel less safe at the intersections that had them installed. The lights change so fast that a motorists who presumably don't realize how ridiculously short the timing on Chicago traffic lights can be often sail through the intersection a good 1-2 seconds after the lights have signaled for crossing traffic - both vehicles and pedestrians - to proceed. IMO, the best system is the one they have in Montréal. The traffic lights work a bit differently from the rest of North America in several ways, but one is special "vertical green bar" lights indicating that you're only allowed to go straight. No turns allowed until the regular green lamp illuminates. This does a pretty effective job of encouraging motorists to wait for pedestrians. Québec drivers are somewhat famously aggressive, but I still felt safer as a pedestrian in Montréal than in any other North American city I've visited.
  - Izkata 7y ago
    I've seen green up arrows (to mean the same thing) plenty in the west suburbs of Chicago.

paulryanrogers 7y ago

Cameras can cause abrupt breaking and more collisions. Maybe if paired with gradual light transitions and barriers they could be a net benefit.

mkl 7y ago
That sounds like short light transitions, not cameras.

StanislavPetrov 7y ago

NYC is already stuffed with red light cameras as well as cameras that automatically give you speeding tickets.