The traffic signals are simply flashing in all directions, and also do not yet have their pedestrian signal controls attached. The signals and controls are in place, but still wrapped in boxes, as we've seen previously at other intersections in downtown Bethesda. It's odd that they would connect the traffic signals to Pepco, but not the pedestrian controls at the same time. "Dig once," as they say.
Yes! Finally a smart decision. Previous talks about a custom flashing light setup would have been less effective - no one knows what that signal would have been. A light is universally known. They could even leave it green on Wisconsin 99% of the time until a pedestrian hits the button or a car is sensed on the side street. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm tired of those flashing red signals they've introduced recently. They never made any public announcement about what you are legally supposed to do. It creates confusion and hesitation, which can be deadly in busy traffic. If you're going to install a new, foreign signal, at least put a sign that clearly states what the driver is to do. How about just sticking to the universal system, as they did here in this case?
DeleteThey also shifted the crosswalk (but not the ramps/islands) at Wisconsin and Bradley. Now closer to intersection but better visibility of peds.
ReplyDeleteI think they should have put in a HAWK, which is what they have in DC on Connectitut Ave in front of the Uptown Theater. I believe it flashes yellow normally, then turns into a red light only if a pedestrian presses the walk button. This way, it doesn't stop traffic unless there's a need for it.
ReplyDeleteI agree on flashing red. While I know what to do (stop), many drivers do not and them not knowing can lead to a lot of injuries.
Everyone is taught in Driver's Ed what a flashing red light means - it is the equivalent of a stop sign. If there is a flashing red at a crosswalk, and there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk, then it's safe to proceed, after having come to a full stop. Dyer is is being a hysterical drama queen once again.
ReplyDelete7:47: That type of signal was never used widely in Montgomery County until recently. It definitely creates confusion for that reason. They should not be utilized if the agency responsible is not going to educate drivers about it. A flashing red at a major state highway intersection? Bad time to ask people to recall arcane details from the driving manual. Dangerous, and you know it, Rugged Individualist.
DeleteWhy not just a normal light that is either green/flashing most of the time unless called? People get normal lights. Why does it have to be HAWK? Problem with all of these is that they need to be integrated into the existing light cycles. Not that we have great light cycles to begin with here.
ReplyDeleteOne of my captcha pictures was an injured dog wtf?
I agree it should just be a normal light. If someone wants to cross it does it's normal yellow to red thing. Everyone knows it. Simple.
DeleteAny new light flashes for a certain time period before it goes live. Simple research could have explained that.
ReplyDelete8:44: I didn't question why it was flashing. I questioned why the pedestrian controls weren't connected at the same time as the traffic signals.
Delete@ 8:12 AM - I believe that the purpose of the flashing yellow is to call attention to the presence of pedestrians, especially when it is a mid-block crossing. One problem with pedestrian signals is that many times, the light stays red long after the pedestrians have finished crossing, and that's frustrating for drivers waiting at the light - so that's why they switch to flashing red after a shorter interval as solid red.
ReplyDelete@ 8:44 AM - "Simple research"? Bah. All good journalists wait for press releases to tell them how to tie their shoelaces, and not to step in holes.
Simple lights for simple folks on the Short Bus.
ReplyDeleteWhen we had the derecho a few years ago and a lot of the traffic lights in Bethesda went haywire, MoCo was busy informing everyone on every media channel possible that you have to stop for a flashing red before proceeding. I think a lot of drivers have simply forgotten it since you won't encounter flashing red in a normal situation unless you drive late at night when the lights switch to the overnight regime.
ReplyDeleteAs of 2:30pm Friday, 7/17/15, the traffic light was functional with solid green lights on Wisconsin Ave in both directions.
ReplyDelete