Traffic light free town on BBC2

hamboman

Did anyone see that report on Paxman's politics programme last night (sorry, can't remember what it's called!)? There was a report on Drachten in Holland where the town has removed all traffic signals, white lines and other furniture. It's the brainchild of Hans Monderman I think.

Anyway, apparently it has reduced traffic congestion and accident rates, but Transport for London won't even consider the idea for London. Your thoughts?

ChrisLS

...are you a sneaky RLJer?

I always find traffic flows better when traffic lights fail.

Clever Pun

was that in Sweden? they're nice there

London is like a war and I suspect our traffic is just to heavy, traffic lights allow everyone to make there way safely without having to push through rows of traffic and causing the inevitable accidents

cyclists would really suffer imo

pete236

There a large roundabout near me, the Handy Cross roundabout I think it its called. Outsiede of HIgh Wycombe, with the A404, M40, a few lanes from Marlow and a few other roads coming off it. In rush hour the traffic is always queued back for miles on each road onto it. Except when the lights fail! When the lights fail there are fewer accidents there, the traffic flows freely and doesn't stop - yet the council still goes out to fix the lights and caue congestion!
I reckon a traffic light free society would be so much easier!

Anonymous

hamboman - can you read your personal mail please?

Thanks

DavidTQ

I know the worst traffic junction in our area is a huge round about, lights controlled, whent he lights fail it flows far better, that said Im not sure of what this means for cyclists, it might encourage cyclists trying to use cars on their right as shields and gaps to pull out in, which could be a bad idea of the driver then decides to turn off early...

cupofteacp

They have tried it in London about a year agaon, and it worked, however they decided it would'nt work on a larger scale and canceled it.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/spi ... 47,00.html

read the very end bit

Bassjunkieuk

This whole discussion reminds of this video I saw on Youtube:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnNoc0I_LOo

It's amazing what happens when aren't any rules to follow! There's a small crossroads up near where I live, and I've actually seen safer driving when the lights aren't working, as most drivers seem to come through on dodgy reds most of the time :-)

simon_e

Went the other way in at Ketley Brook in Telford not so long ago - they added eight sets of traffic lights and four pedestrian crossings. According to the local rag,

"commuters passing the junction have experienced longer waiting times and some report being delayed even when the roundabout is empty."

Searching the paper's website for other stories I found one from when the lights at Trench Lock were out of order for 24 hours. A nearby filling station employee apparently stated that a lot of drivers had seemed happy the lights were not working and traffic appeared to be flowing better. I also remember better traffic flow in Shrewsbury when the lights under the railway bridge were out due to flooding a few years ago.

They are now installing lights at Dobbies Island South of Shrewsbury on the A5/A49. It's notorious for tailbacks (particularly in the summer) on both the main roads as well as RTCs. Admittedly it's a busy junction, but I can't see how lights will help keep the flow, they will do the opposite.

secretsam

I've seen about this place, clearly the guy behind it was inhaling!!!

Imagine a place with no roundabouts either...they're like a plague round where I live (Bucks)...I reckon the builders get piece rates...

graeme_s-2

Interesting article here about Hans Monderman's work, from the perspective of someone who has actually experienced his "naked" towns.

http://www.velorution.biz/?p=1409