su-sten-able

@[email protected]
22 Followers
15 Following
148 Posts
LocationColumbus, OH, USA
Bikeshttps://www.yaybikes.com/
su-sten-ableJul 11, 2023
This is the worst response I've seen so far to a 311 request (received by a friend). While I applaud the realistic assessment that simply putting up a lower speed limit sign won't change the driving speeds, this response is completely unacceptable. It does not respond to the request of a crosswalk at all. And, because this is a dense residential neighborhood, not lowering the speed limit is not an option. If a sign is not enough, then the street design needs to change.
su-sten-ableMay 28, 2023
Insect populations have been declining dramatically, up to 75%. Agriculture needs them, and their loss will become a big food problem. A lot of cities have high grass ordinances that limits grass height to 8-12". Which means by now (week 22), the grass has grown taller and needs to be mowed. But data shows that insect populations are much larger if the grass is mowed later (week 31 or later), instead of earlier (week 28 or before). What are ways that people and cities use to help avoid this?
su-sten-ableMar 24, 2023
Having no (stop) signs on an intersection with a traffic light that's off makes it really hard to see that you're approaching an intersection, especially at night. Why isn't there a stop sign and a rule if the traffic light is on, it has precedence?
su-sten-ableMar 20, 2023

Two-way left turn lanes are the worst road design. It makes the road wider and harder to cross for pedestrians, some drivers use it like a driving lane, or even worse like a passing lane. It's basically unused space that can be used much better for literally anything else. Can we get rid of them?

(Turn lanes are fine, but make them dedicated, not just paint, and add them only where needed.)

su-sten-ableMar 18, 2023

Can we stop surveys of what people believe is the best solution? It's one thing to ask if someone is concerned, but what is the best solution should be left to people who have extensive knowledge of a problem aka experts. As much as I like CR, the pedestrian safety questions give no alternative and are phrased in a way that answers are predictable ("I prefer that my next vehicle comes with pedestrian detection" sound like the alternative is no tech, but that's not true).

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/americans-are-concerned-about-pedestrian-safety-a1058001691/

su-sten-ableMar 18, 2023

Instead of adding technology for technology's sake, can we go for low-tech solutions first?

Sure, tech helps, but it doesn't come without problems. Adding FCW (forward collision warning), AEB (automatic emergency braking), etc. helps, but they also have problems in the winter or at night, and can cause phantom braking.

Let's regulate the minimum views and sight lines first, because the driver is the best camera and AI we have right now.

https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/few-vehicles-excel-in-new-nighttime-test-of-pedestrian-autobrake

https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/iihs-president-vehicle-technology-is-not-a-silver-bullet-for-safety

Few vehicles excel in new nighttime test of pedestrian autobrake

A majority of the first 23 vehicles evaluated in the IIHS nighttime pedestrian crash prevention test earn only a basic score or no credit.

IIHS-HLDI crash testing and highway safety
Show threadsu-sten-ableMar 16, 2023

This is an opportunity for cities:
* Let's turn gas stations into better convenience stores to help alleviate food deserts;
* Let's turn them into places for people: community centers, housing, small stores, restaurants, offices.
* Let's remove dedicated fueling places from cities; improvements for pedestrians, bikes, transit will reduce cars; the remaining parking can be used to charge (wirelessly), and no dedicated fueling places will be needed.

https://seattle.curbed.com/2017/6/9/15772714/mini-mart-city-park-georgetown

2/2

Transforming a defunct gas station into a community space

Minimart City Park will activate a long-vacant corner store in Georgetown

Curbed Seattle
su-sten-ableMar 16, 2023

You know change is coming when a major oil company is selling their gas stations.

(They are not selling the oil production though, oil is still used in a lot of other products.)

https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/canadas-couche-tard-talks-33-bln-totalenergies-stores-deal-2023-03-16/

1/2

Canada's Couche-Tard to buy some TotalEnergies stations in $3.3 bln deal

French oil major TotalEnergies <a href="https://www.reuters.com/companies/TTEF.PA" target="_blank">(TTEF.PA)</a> is selling some of its European petrol stations to Canadian convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard for $3.3 billion as part of plans to turn them into food and services hubs, the companies said on Thursday.

Reuters
su-sten-ableMar 16, 2023

The ODOT design standard says: "Clear Zone - The unobstructed, traversable area provided beyond the edge of the through traveled way for the recovery of errant vehicles. The clear zone includes shoulders, bike lanes, or auxiliary lanes [..]"

Can we not put bike lanes in this? This is putting bicyclists in harms way. This policy needs to change!

https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/working/engineering/roadway/manuals-standards/location-design-vol-1/0600

600 - Roadside Design

Roadside Design, Warrants, Site Considerations, Roadside Safety Devices, Glare Screen, Rumble Strips, Fence

su-sten-ableMar 15, 2023
Today was another great day to bike! And while I'm glad this road has a bike lane, let me point out:
* A bike lane on the left goes against every rule that slower traffic should stay to the right;
* It invites cars to use it for left turns or parking;
* And it leads to bad road design, where the bike lane ends before the intersection, dumping bicyclists into the left most lane, which is even made worse by this intersection having two left turn lanes and bicyclists ideally wanting to go straight.