An interesting question and experiment

Ilion

TimesOnline: Traffic lights covered up by Ealing Council to test congestion 'cure'[^]

What would happen if traffic lights were suddenly switched off? Would there be gridlock or would the queues of frustrated drivers miraculously disappear? People in London are about to find out the answer in Britain’s first test of the theory that removing lights will cure congestion. For six months, lights at up to seven junctions in Ealing will be concealed by bags and drivers will be left to negotiate their way across by establishing eye contact with pedestrians and other motorists. Ealing Council believes that, far from improving the flow of traffic, lights cause delays and may even increase road danger. Drivers race towards green lights to make it across before they turn red. Confidence that they have right of way lulls them into a false sense of security, meaning that they fail to anticipate hazards coming from the side. The council hopes that drivers will learn to co-operate, crossing junctions on a first-come first-served basis rather than obeying robotic signals that have no sense of where people are waiting. ... Ealing found evidence to support its theory when the lights failed one day at a busy junction and traffic flowed better than before. ... In the Dutch town of Drachten the removal of traffic lights at one big junction resulted in crashes falling from 36 in the four years before the scheme was introduced to two in the next two years. The average time for each vehicle to cross the junction fell from 50 seconds to 30 seconds despite a rise in the volume of traffic. Mr Hamilton Baillie said that the benefits of removing controls from junctions had been established 30 years ago, when a shortage of police in Bristol resulted in the withdrawal of officers who directed traffic. “Everybody reported that traffic flowed more smoothly but the evidence was ignored and lights continued to spread across the network. Lights make people feel there is stability and order but that is just psychological. There is little evidence of any tangible benefits.”

Rob Graham

I've always preferred 4-way stop signs to all other traffic controls. Not sure a completely unregulated intersection would work as well, too many idiots would just assume the cross direction had the stop, and barrel on through...

Oakman

During the east coast blackout way back in 64, Boston had serious troubles with its traffic - correction - had even more serious problems with its traffic than usual. It was solved when individuals went to intersetions with flashlights and began directing traffic. 4-ways work well, I think.

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Ilion

Rob Graham wrote:

Not sure a completely unregulated intersection would work as well, too many idiots would just assume the cross direction had the stop, and barrel on through...

That's also my initial reaction. Yet, the article does mention contrary factual evidence.

Rob Graham

Ilíon wrote:

Yet, the article does mention contrary factual evidence. Quote Selected Text

Yeah, but it's in the UK. They're by and large tamer and more civil than most Americans, and certainly than the rednecks in my neighborhood, who all seem to think every day is a tryout for NASCAR.

Lost User

UK Speed Cameras and Traffic Lights. Sheesh, get a life!

Bob Emmett

Oakman

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Tim Craig

Rob Graham wrote:

too many idiots would just assume the cross direction had the stop, and barrel on through...

With a third of the population here foreign born, traffic lights have become only a suggestion and not a rule.

"Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

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Ilion

Oakman wrote:

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Isn't it pathetic to be so easily wowed?

Oakman

Ilíon wrote: Isn't it pathetic to be so easily wowed? Nope. It simply shows my good nature, my keen mind, and my enjoyment of other people's humor. I've even given you thumbs up.

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Tim Craig

Oakman wrote:

I've even given you thumbs up.

Did you wash it really, really good afterward? :suss:

"Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

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Oakman

Tim Craig wrote: Did you wash it really, really good afterward I always wash my hands after dealing with the Back Room - don't you?

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Ilion

Oakman wrote:

I've even given you thumbs up.

Really? You've gone out of your way to express approval of me saying "Get a life!" or something similar? My! I'm glad I don't look at all your responses.

Tim Craig

Oakman wrote:

I always wash my hands after dealing with the Back Room - don't you?

I always wear a full Level 5 Biohazard suit. ;)

"Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

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Tim Craig

Ilíon wrote:

I'm glad I don't look at all your responses.

You're such a liar.

"Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

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Oakman

Tim Craig wrote: You're such a liar. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Oakman

Tim Craig wrote: I always wear a full Level 5 Biohazard suit. Have you stopped eating pork, too?

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin

Tim Craig

Oakman wrote:

Have you stopped eating pork, too?

No, as long as it doesn't say anything about Back Room or Ilion on the package.

"Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

I'm a proud denizen of the Real Soapbox[^]
ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!!!