Traffic planner brain fade

[Marmoot]

This crossing is about 5m along the road from an intersection. There are shops on one side of the road at that point, and nothing on the other. It's hardly located at a favoured crossing point, if coagulation of jaywalkers is any guide.

Come to Te Atatu here in Auckland
https://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=te+...ed=0CDMQ8gEwAA

A roundabout with 4 arms, 2 of which have plain pedestrian crossing just off them, and 1 with a light-controlled pedestrian crossing.
I would really love to meet one or two of these so-called traffic "engineers" and understand their way of thinking.
If their job is to create traffic and/or maintain traffic on the road, they are definitely doing a great job at the moment.

[caspernz]

To slow and/or stop traffic in towns and cities ... in the hope of getting them to "notice" the shops ... and spend money in them.
One reason most town/city councils only want to provide heavy traffic bypass's ... Truckies don't (can't) stop.

There's no reason for me to stop at the Bendon shop in Otaki anywayz, they only get the stuff that hasn't sold at their main outlets...and I don't need size 22 french knickers or 42FF bras...just because I'm a trucker doesn't mean I've got a big arse

[Zedder]

Come to Te Atatu here in Auckland
https://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=te+...ed=0CDMQ8gEwAA

A roundabout with 4 arms, 2 of which have plain pedestrian crossing just off them, and 1 with a light-controlled pedestrian crossing.
I would really love to meet one or two of these so-called traffic "engineers" and understand their way of thinking.
If their job is to create traffic and/or maintain traffic on the road, they are definitely doing a great job at the moment.

What goes where depends on the objective, ie: traffic flow, safety etc.

[sinfull]

There are ways around traffic holdups if travelling south into Otaki

But it won't change untill a bypass is built

[Marmoot]

What goes where depends on the objective, ie: traffic flow, safety etc.

That particular one achieved neither.
Traffic backlogged quite a bit in normal situation, and near-misses are not uncommon.

[Zedder]

That particular one achieved neither.
Traffic backlogged quite a bit in normal situation, and near-misses are not uncommon.

I'd have to know more about the situation but in a nut shell this is what happens often: A traffic engineer obtains the traffic flow data and does the analysis for a particular area. There are a number of ways of achieving the objective required for maintaining a certain traffic flow but it may also impact on shops need for foot traffic or carparking as well. Also there are safety issues to consider.

Ultimately, the traffic lights and crossings could be a compromise due to the above or it could simply end up that traffic lights are chosen because they are much cheaper than roundabouts and other traffic flow and/or calming devices.

Effects of the actions taken are reviewed at a later date and corrections made if needed.

[Marmoot]

Are you one?

[Zedder]

Are you one?

Disclaimer: I am not nor have I ever been a Traffic Engineer.

I was however involved in implementing their often difficult requirements after assisting in the structural design of traffic flow devices and road pavements plus other work.

[BMWST?]

I don't understand this....if there's no-one on your 1/4 of it, what's the problem?

you cant see if anyones on your 1/4 till the last second so you virtually come to a stop anyway

[FJRider]

There's no reason for me to stop at the Bendon shop in Otaki anywayz

So you get your stuff by mail-order .. ???

[Hitcher]

Effects of the actions taken are reviewed at a later date and corrections made if needed.

More likely that this went out for community consultation and a compromise was reached. There were probably really good ideas at each end of the spectrum and the planners went for a solution halfway between that really pissed everybody off equally. Politics at its finest.

[FJRider]

More likely that this went out for community consultation and a compromise was reached. There were probably really good ideas at each end of the spectrum and the planners went for a solution halfway between that really pissed everybody off equally. Politics at its finest.

Or ... A few vocal members of the business community told the council what they wanted (achieved) ... the planners were told to achieve that result. (and left to figure out how)
General public don't like the result because it doesn't suit them. (all the time)

[bogan]

Or ... A few vocal members of the business community told the council what they wanted (achieved) ... the planners were told to achieve that result. (and left to figure out how)
General public don't like the result because it doesn't suit them. (all the time)

Or ... One old fella blows it all out of proportion
General public remains indifferent

[FJRider]

Or ... One old fella blows it all out of proportion
General public remains indifferent

To be on the safe side ... I shall continue to avoid the entire north island for a while ...

Somebody sort it before I get there please ....

[bogan]

Somebody sort it before I get there please ....

Yes sir, potholes at every intersection and a choice of sheep at the rest stop, we'll make it feel just like home for ya! We'll even put in some detours so it takes you at least 3 hours to get from town to town