I am not sure if you read in the paper, but the City has started a traffic calming task force. We had our first meeting last night and threw around a lot of great ideas. The main goal of the task force is to set up DOT policy on how to evaluate calming requests, how to make traffic calming a priority in the street/road design process and how to plan for implementing improvements to our existing system roadway system.

I didn’t bring it up at the meeting last night, but the more and more I think about the problems with the City, the more and more I honestly say that most of the woes befallen on us as city lovers and city dwellers is the addiction we all have to the car. Traffic calming poses a huge challenge to us all and I am not sold that speed humps, round abouts, chicanes etc. are the solution. I feel that perhaps a more holistic approach and eliminating the number of cars on our streets and confining that traffic to main arterials is the only solution.

If you all have any suggestions I welcome and value all of our input.

Thank you.

Jeff Ratnow
Co-Chair City Traffic Calming Task Force.

I think the traffic calming concepts and discussion on my "Whither the Barnes Effect" thread are critically linked and MUST be coordinated and discussed.
:)

I don't think any large-scale traffic calming can be implemented without a LARGE scale examination of traffic patterns throughout the entire City, which would be a much larger scale project than what is proposed.

The topic may be boring and esoteric to most (hence the lack of responses so far on my post :nuts: ), but it's an issue awaiting in the shadows.

Nate

I think the traffic calming concepts and discussion on my "Whither the Barnes Effect" thread are critically linked and MUST be coordinated and discussed.
:)

I don't think any large-scale traffic calming can be implemented without a LARGE scale examination of traffic patterns throughout the entire City, which would be a much larger scale project than what is proposed.

The topic may be boring and esoteric to most (hence the lack of responses so far on my post :nuts: ), but it's an issue awaiting in the shadows.

Nate

I will definietly look at it. thank you nate.

Jeff

I think the traffic calming concepts and discussion on my "Whither the Barnes Effect" thread are critically linked and MUST be coordinated and discussed.
:)

I don't think any large-scale traffic calming can be implemented without a LARGE scale examination of traffic patterns throughout the entire City, which would be a much larger scale project than what is proposed.

The topic may be boring and esoteric to most (hence the lack of responses so far on my post :nuts: ), but it's an issue awaiting in the shadows.

Nate

Not boring or esoteric to me. There are just so many things I can contribute to certain topics. I can not relate to the traffic issues in Baltimore. I don't live there. I don't drive the streets of Baltimore on a day to day basis. (Though I'd love to. :D )
Sorry.
I do find these conversations very important and interesting.
So I say, "Press On! :)

Not really into the whole traffic calming thing. I can't stand when they spend money putting big flower pots or speed humps in the road way. It's just a waste and causes more problems than it is worth. Considering traffic is already bad, I think the last thing we should do is try and slow it down.

I do think finding ways to get people out of their cars and walking, jogging, biking or taking transit is very important and will improve the quality of life for everyone.

.....like I said,....Press On!.... :runaway:

Traffic calming poses a huge challenge to us all and I am not sold that speed humps, round abouts, chicanes etc. are the solution. I feel that perhaps a more holistic approach and eliminating the number of cars on our streets and confining that traffic to main arterials is the only solution.

I think you bring up a very good point here. In Locust Point we have a large number of cars going to and from Tide Point in the mornings and evenings. Whether late for work or rushing to get home, many speed through the neighborhood, frustrating the residents. Speed bumps, traffic calming stop signs, etc. have all been put in place; but the reality is that they just speed even faster to the next calming device.

I believe the general consensus feels that once the new Key Highway extension opens up, removing the traffic from the residential streets and placing it on the main arterial will be the only way to improve traffic in the neighborhood. So the holistic approach is absolutely key, the traffic calming measures by themselves are a waste of time and money. Traffic needs to have a place to go, transit needs to be an option, the sidewalks need to be pedestrian friendly, and only then you can "tweak" traffic flow with calming measures.

I can not wait for Key Highway to take the traffic of E. Fort, my street. Calming works in some areas very well. Look at how calm hanover street is in otterbein. Closing of the street and creating dead ends it an accpeted practice. Humps work in Hunting ridge. but the real problem is that cars have been getting preferential treatment for 60 years that everyone else was left by the wayside. Its a huge project to undertake. We may condisder updated existing standard road cross sections so new development will provide calmer roads and bike paths and bump outs at ped crossings etc. Keep the ideas comeing please. I am in a position to influence policy so all the talk we talk on this board may actually amount to someting if I get good info and suggextions specific to the task at hand.

I can not wait for Key Highway to take the traffic of E. Fort, my street. Calming works in some areas very well. Look at how calm hanover street is in otterbein. Closing of the street and creating dead ends it an accpeted practice. Humps work in Hunting ridge. but the real problem is that cars have been getting preferential treatment for 60 years that everyone else was left by the wayside. Its a huge project to undertake. We may condisder updated existing standard road cross sections so new development will provide calmer roads and bike paths and bump outs at ped crossings etc. Keep the ideas comeing please. I am in a position to influence policy so all the talk we talk on this board may actually amount to someting if I get good info and suggextions specific to the task at hand.

Adding Speed Bumps, Traffic Circles w/no traffic lights, Closing Major Roads and no outlets on Major Roadways are a terrible wastee of money and doesn't do a thing about addressing the traffic problems.

Traffic Lights, Widen Intersections, Metal Fences on the Median to prevent J Walking, Pedestrian Crossing Lights, Pedestrian Bridges/Tunnels and running Bus Services every 15-30 minutes 24/7 on Major Roads are the better Alternatives to calming Traffic.

Adding Speed Bumps, Traffic Circles w/no traffic lights, Closing Major Roads and no outlets on Major Roadways are a terrible wastee of money and doesn't do a thing about addressing the traffic problems.

Traffic Lights, Widen Intersections, Metal Fences on the Median to prevent J Walking, Pedestrian Crossing Lights, Pedestrian Bridges/Tunnels and running Bus Services every 15-30 minutes 24/7 on Major Roads are the better Alternatives to calming Traffic.

I have to disagree here. The main feeder route thru my nieghborhood was a speedway before calming humps were added last year. They are very well designed and can be driven comfortably if you are around the speed limit.

Roundabouts, for the most part, seem to work. When I worked in Towson, I drove thru the one there twice a day. That intersection was a nightmare before the roundabout was built. Unfortunately, a lot of drivers are intimidated and don't know what to do when faced with a roundabout.

I'd like to see more of them, in the appropriate places.

I have to disagree here. The main feeder route thru my nieghborhood was a speedway before calming humps were added last year. They are very well designed and can be driven comfortably if you are around the speed limit.

Is your street a heave 4-6 lane state highway asuch as MD 2 or US 40?????

Roundabouts, for the most part, seem to work. When I worked in Towson, I drove thru the one there twice a day. That intersection was a nightmare before the roundabout was built.

As long as there are traffic lights on the roundabout especially if its a heavy traveled road or the Heave Traveled Road can dip under the Roundavbout like in DC then that should be fine.

Unfortunately, a lot of drivers are intimidated and don't know what to do when faced with a roundabout.

Thats why I do't support Roundabouts without traffic lights.

I'd like to see more of them, in the appropriate places.

Yeah on small neighborhood streets.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as a roundabout with traffic lights.

That's exactly the point. If there were lights , there would be no point in having the roundabout. They are especially useful at intersections where people make a lot of left turns. With a roundabout, all turns are right, enhancing safety and speeding up traffic. And if you miss your turn the first time, you can just go around again.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as a roundabout with traffic lights.

You must have never been to dc or your making a up a corny joke.

That's exactly the point. If there were lights , there would be no point in having the roundabout.

Thats why they don't need to put any roundabouts on Major Roadways. If thats the case then the people that support this BS only do so because they wish to turn the whole Baltimore area into a boring country hick enviroment with rocky dirt roads and stop signs instead of traffic lights.

They are especially useful at intersections where people make a lot of left turns. With a roundabout, all turns are right, enhancing safety and speeding up traffic. And if you miss your turn the first time, you can just go around again.

Hell No!!!

Do like New Jersey and have clover leaf Intersections or Trumpet Intersections for the three point intersections.

Roundabouts on Major Roadways without traffic lights is EXTREMELY INSANE.

Actually, he's right...I can think of several traffic circles or round-abouts in DC that have traffic lights. Some, such as Washington Circle have an inner circle where traffic lights don't apply, but to exit the circle, you'll have a traffic light. Even DuPont Circle, which actually has two circles within each other, both have seperate traffic lighting. But most of the newer suburban circles I've seen, and like one at Harbor East do not have traffic lights.

The Towson traffic circle is good for motorists, but quite bad for pedestrians.

IHE, is a traffic backwater, so everythings moves through there fairly slowly anyway.

Nate

I wasn't joking. I didn't even know they existed. I guess I just can't really understand why you would have a traffic circle AND a light. I thought the point of a circle was so you didn't slow down traffic and have to put up a light.

I wasn't joking. I didn't even know they existed. I guess I just can't really understand why you would have a traffic circle AND a light. I thought the point of a circle was so you didn't slow down traffic and have to put up a light.

I think it's because it's more efficient when there are more than 2 roads intersecting, which is the case in DC's circles.