5 ms·

Here's a video about an intersection that had to be redesigned due to A-pillars. Vehicles approaching from opposite ends could hide in each other's blind spots

by Swizec 3y ago

Here's a video about an intersection that had to be redesigned due to A-pillars. Vehicles approaching from opposite ends could hide in each other's blind spots and crash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpgpE6wjF30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpgpE6wjF30 As a motorcyclist, I hide in people's A-pillar blind spots all the time. It's quite unnerving.

BitwiseFool 3y ago
Interesting video, but I can't help but think the roadway is now worse. It's disjointed and there are two intersections instead of one. Why not install a red light or a roundabout?
- Swizec 3y ago
  Making it "worse" is the point. The practice is known as traffic calming road design – https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-design-guide/designing-streets-people/designing-for-motorists/traffic-calming-strategies/ https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-... For example: Many rural towns put a giant unnecessary corner on the road entering the town. Forcing you to slow down and obey the speed limit. Or the road splits in two just to go around a pretty sculpture someone decided to put in the middle of the road. Again to force you to slow down naturally.
- cassianoleal 3y ago
  > the roadway is now worse Worse for whom? If it has the intended effect (and apparently it does), it's certainly not worse for the cyclists who were getting hurt. > Why not install a red light or a roundabout? Tom Scott explains the reasons for not installing traffic lights or speed bumps in the original video. On top of those, if drivers are not even reducing their speed at the stop sign, what would make them do that for a red light? I'm not sure how a roundabout is better for anyone than the staggered junction. It's certainly worse for the cyclist on the main road, who would have to pay a lot more attention to a lot more places, and also reduce speed. It's certainly worse for drivers on the main road, who lose their right-of-way. It's unlikely to be (much?) better to the drivers on the side road, who still have to go through junctions - only this time they're between the road and the roundabout and vice-versa.
dylan604 3y ago
If you recognize that your in a blind spot, are you prevented from adjusting your position because you've pulled too far forward to actually place yourself in the blind spot? I know I sometimes find myself in positions that I know well to avoid, but sometimes it takes a second for it to be realized. My favorite is being aligned next to a semi's trailer wheels. I will slow down to avoid sitting in that spot when moving, not during stop-n-go. So I understand it's sometimes obvious after the fact.
- rpmisms 3y ago
  I'll sit in a blind spot on a motorcycle happily, if there's no other traffic. If there is, I pull forward next to the window instead.
  - xtiansimon 3y ago
    > “I'll sit in a blind spot on a motorcycle happily, if there’s no other traffic…” Because you believe the driver has no incentive to change lanes, and so there is low probability they will change lanes unexpectedly?
    - rpmisms 3y ago
      Because I can brake fast enough if they do change lanes. I tend to pass, but if we're going around the same speed it doesn't bother me.
      - dylan604 3y ago
        The braking as an out because a bike can brake faster than the car always seemed odd to me because whatever car is behind you will also not be able to brake as fast.
        baseballdork 3y ago
        A bike, generally, can't brake faster than a car, no?

by Swizec 3y ago

BitwiseFool 3y ago

Interesting video, but I can't help but think the roadway is now worse. It's disjointed and there are two intersections instead of one. Why not install a red light or a roundabout?

Swizec 3y ago
Making it "worse" is the point. The practice is known as traffic calming road design – https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-design-guide/designing-streets-people/designing-for-motorists/traffic-calming-strategies/ https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-... For example: Many rural towns put a giant unnecessary corner on the road entering the town. Forcing you to slow down and obey the speed limit. Or the road splits in two just to go around a pretty sculpture someone decided to put in the middle of the road. Again to force you to slow down naturally.
cassianoleal 3y ago
> the roadway is now worse Worse for whom? If it has the intended effect (and apparently it does), it's certainly not worse for the cyclists who were getting hurt. > Why not install a red light or a roundabout? Tom Scott explains the reasons for not installing traffic lights or speed bumps in the original video. On top of those, if drivers are not even reducing their speed at the stop sign, what would make them do that for a red light? I'm not sure how a roundabout is better for anyone than the staggered junction. It's certainly worse for the cyclist on the main road, who would have to pay a lot more attention to a lot more places, and also reduce speed. It's certainly worse for drivers on the main road, who lose their right-of-way. It's unlikely to be (much?) better to the drivers on the side road, who still have to go through junctions - only this time they're between the road and the roundabout and vice-versa.

dylan604 3y ago

If you recognize that your in a blind spot, are you prevented from adjusting your position because you've pulled too far forward to actually place yourself in the blind spot? I know I sometimes find myself in positions that I know well to avoid, but sometimes it takes a second for it to be realized. My favorite is being aligned next to a semi's trailer wheels. I will slow down to avoid sitting in that spot when moving, not during stop-n-go. So I understand it's sometimes obvious after the fact.

rpmisms 3y ago
I'll sit in a blind spot on a motorcycle happily, if there's no other traffic. If there is, I pull forward next to the window instead.
- xtiansimon 3y ago
  > “I'll sit in a blind spot on a motorcycle happily, if there’s no other traffic…” Because you believe the driver has no incentive to change lanes, and so there is low probability they will change lanes unexpectedly?
  - rpmisms 3y ago
    Because I can brake fast enough if they do change lanes. I tend to pass, but if we're going around the same speed it doesn't bother me.
    - dylan604 3y ago
      The braking as an out because a bike can brake faster than the car always seemed odd to me because whatever car is behind you will also not be able to brake as fast.
      - baseballdork 3y ago
        A bike, generally, can't brake faster than a car, no?