Electronic National Dialogue on Transportation Operations
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Re: Yellow Increased - Red Light Running Way Down

Posted By: Richard B. Easley <reasley@e-squared.org>
Date: Thursday, 26 July 2001, at 8:58 a.m.

In Response To: Yellow Increased - Red Light Running Way Down (Gene Quinn)

The information Gene provides is interesting. As I read it, I couldn't help but think back to my UT at Austin days of sitting in Traffic Engineering class designing timing phases of intersections. Ahhh, those were the days. Well, what I seem to remember is learning that when you have an area where folks are used to the correctly designed timing phase and they are still running the red lights, then if you increase the yellow phase, they will run fewer red lights (as Gene's posting suggests). I also remember that as soon the traveling public (specifically the old red light jumpers) adjusts to the new yellow phase timing, they will revert back to jumping the red lights.

I hope I'm wrong on this assumption but human behavior suggests that if the yellow phase was adequately designed the first time and you have a high number of 'jumpers', then lengthening the yellow phase will not provide a permanent solution. I know from personal experience that nothing reduces red light running better than having law enforcement posted at critical locations. After all, how often have YOU taken a chance on the yellow light when there was a police officer stopped at the same intersection?? As for me, I'd have to say that I've NEVER taken a chance on a yellow light when the police were there.

I think only time will tell as to the success of Fairfax's move to increase the yellow phase. With respect to Gene's posting, I'm not convinced that enough time has gone by to really say Fairfax has the solution to red light running in our country.

Thoughts??

type to you later....
**************************
Richard B. Easley
E-Squared Engineering
www.e-squared.org

Responses To This Message

Re: Yellow Increased - Red Light Running Way Down (views: 3340)
Gene Quinn -- Friday, 27 July 2001, at 3:52 p.m.

Re: Yellow Increased - Red Light Running Way Down (views: 966)
Clarke Bennett -- Friday, 27 July 2001, at 9:01 a.m.

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