Traffic Lights?

As soon as you see the first sign that reads "Lane Ends xxx feet, merge left".

Not true...that's assuming that the 3rd lane traffic is equally distributed between both lanes, we all know everyone initially ends up in the now left/previous middle lane. And just because there is more traffic volume in a lane doesn't mean that traffic has to move slower (again, perfect world situation but it's possible).

If everyone merges before the zipper point, then there won't be a reason to slow down at all.

 

Starting at the very first and very last points where people trying to cut in.

Sigh...if people KNOW they don't need to be in that lane, yet ride it until the end anyhow, then they deserve to sit there. I mean, why sit in a lane you know is going to end rather than be in the lane you need to be in to avoid possibly being cut off and unable to merge (by an a-hole like me). Why wait until the last possible minute to get over...mind boggling.

 

Sigh yourself. You just don't get it. If everyone gets over at the point where a sign tells you a lane is going to end, instead of where the lane actually ends, all you do is move back the point where a bottleneck occurs.

Anyway, this discussion is stupid. I'm out.

 

Not only does it move the bottleneck back, but it also does not use all the "road" resource available to move traffic. Why have a ton of asphalt not being utilized. Go to the end and merge, "zipper" style, and it becomes very efficient. It is the only obvious place of merger, otherwise, everyone has their own ideas of merge location.

 

Back on topic, any update on the traffic signal at Claiborne and Broadlands and Waxpool?

(BTW: the Zipper method is the more efficient method of merging traffic. It's the people who never let anyone in at the merge point that create the backups.)

 

Don't have an update, but Steve Snow said last summer- promise and cross-my-heart, that the light at Claiborne/Waxpool would be installed by the end of October. Maybe he meant October of '05. [B)]

 

Wow, Steve, I am in your debt. You have said what is in my head! []

 

A few things here ...

The light at the new Shell is being installed by the contractor for that shopping center, not the county.

The light at Waxpool and Claiborne is being put in by the county. Now don't ask me why it takes longer for the county to put in a light, but it does.

The light at Claiborne and Broadlands will be put in within 90 days, depending on the weather. I may be off on this time frame, but you can definitely bring up that question at the HOA Sponsored, Developer's Update on Thursday, Feb 3rd.


Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Here is the difference, cutters come from your left, legitimate uses of roadway, and frankly legal uses, come from the right.

That's not theoretical.

 

This county is so bass ackwards sometimes. How is it that a developer can put a light in at all? Why didn't Saul do it and who dropped the ball and making them? I'm not asking you directly, Neil. Just wondering aloud. I sometimes wonder if this county even has a planner and if so, did they just hire them straight from High School.

 

Some interesting stuff about merging and traffic in general:

http://www.amasci.com/amateur/traffic/seatraf.html
http://amasci.com/amateur/traffic/traffic1.html

funny:
http://www.pisspoor.com/traffic.html

 

My $.02 on the merge thing.
I too despise the last minute line cutters as described in the Waxpool/28 scenario. 99.999% of the people on that stretch of road at that time of day are regular commuters and know it backs up. They are obviously line cutters as opposed to a last minute "oops". I don't let them in either. What they are doing is not only rude but more importantly very dangerous.
As for the discussion about merge points. I used to feel that one should begin to merge as soon as you see a sign stating "lane ends X number of feet" but, even as stubborn as I am, I have been convinced otherwise. A few years ago in Pennsylvania they started to encourage "Alternate Merge". They post signs instructing drivers to use all lanes all the way to the merge point then practice alternate merge. I was amazed how well it works. Traffic slows but the stop and go "ripple effect" as Flynnibus described is eliminated. The key is the signage. When the sign is posted well in advance of the merge instructing people what to do everybody knows the rules and it goes smoothly. In this area it's every man for himself and chaos reigns.
Oh yea, about the traffic lights...We're gettin hosed. What does Loudoun County have against traffic lights?

 

1. The developer either asked VDOT or was told by VDOT and the county (as part of the proffers) that one had to go in.

2. The problem with Claiborne and Broadlands was that the developer (Terrabrook at the time) and Saul each thought the other one was getting the permits/approvals to have a light installed. Then when Terrabrook sold out, this got lost in that shuffle. However, it has been straightened out, and we should see one in the next few months.

3. [IMHO] I believe the county does have planners, however, with the change in the BOS, they have been pushed to look at a bunch of new applications, and they don't have the staffing for it.





Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

just some comments on the waxpool/28 posts...

waxpool is 2 lanes from before LCP all the way over 28... There are no "lanes ends in X feet" signs because there are no lanes that end on waxpool (in the span of waxpool being discussed)

also there are no "merge" signs nor any road painting on waxpool that indicates any one waxpool lane need to merge into any other waxpool lane...

what there is though is a separate exit lane for 28 that starts after pacific.... unfortunitely it starts, IMHO, too close to the intersection which thwarts any reasonable traffic flow from the 2 waxpool lanes onto the 28 exit lane after the light. (of course people rubbernecking the constrution on the exit lane to 28 aren't helping matters either.. drive people!!) Moving to the right waxpool lane before the pacific intesection (not right at the stoplight itself mind you )... would be reasonable... but don't let that stop you if you think you need to "get in line" by LCP.. Trying to move over right at or after pacific is rude... but if people don't let others move over to the right lane between LCP and pacific.... people will force others to the last possible jump in point right at the 28 exit lane...

turning right onto waxpool from LCP... most of the time the right lane on waxpool is backed up there, requiring people turning right to go into the left lane to keep traffic moving from LCP (ARGGG! to those turning right who stop in the right turn lane and wait, blocking those behind you, instead of turning into the left lane, and #$^@#$ to those who turn right from the center lane, preventing people in the right lane from turning into the left waxpool lane).

 

the point was that the forever construction that is going on often cuts off one lane for no reason at about 9 am. hence causing the problem. At least they do put up signs.

Don't you find it funny that the clover went up in 2 years but the bridge project on waxpool has been going on for at least 4 or 5 years and it's a much smaller project lol

anyway

 

Yep that is funny. I wonder what is up with that bridge?

 

Homer-
You are assuming completion of high school is a requirement!

 

Lol, I was being nice and yes I have thought that.