tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310088157925720041.post5395948760220097205..comments2023-09-20T08:48:41.660-05:00Comments on Cycling in Wichita: Traffic lightsJohn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06358811061653958120noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310088157925720041.post-16708674409160533912008-09-17T14:24:00.000-05:002008-09-17T14:24:00.000-05:00Thanks for the comments.Coppercorn, I see now that...Thanks for the comments.<BR/><BR/>Coppercorn, I see now that my description wasn't very clear, and I've gone back and tried to clear it up. These sensors are actually in the pavement at intersections; they're sensitive enough to detect the smaller amount of metal in bikes. Moreover, these sensors cost about $400/intersection, as opposed to about $1200/intersection for video monitors.<BR/><BR/>Chris, the same is true of an intersection on my commute: Pawnee and George Washington. Compounding the potential for delay is that GW has protected left turns, and when a car is in that lane, the sensor doesn't trigger a green light for through-traffic--just for the left turn. I forgot this fact just this morning: a car was in the left turn lane to turn east on Pawnee; I saw the Pawnee lights turn yellow and anticipated my light's turning green by getting an early start heading south on GW (no cars were approaching on Pawnee); and I was in the intersection when I saw that the light for through traffic didn't turn green, and the protected left turn arrow was already turning yellow. So, I ended up running through a red light. Aarrgghh.John B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06358811061653958120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310088157925720041.post-74573585074606447192008-09-17T11:35:00.000-05:002008-09-17T11:35:00.000-05:00I thought about this a few days ago when I was try...I thought about this a few days ago when I was trying to cross into eastborough at around 12:30 am.That stoplight just west of eastborough wont recognize a bike. I was there for literally 15 minutes waiting for a light change. It only came when a car came through. <BR/>The city really should add that to the "this intersection sucks for bikers" list. Not that the city cares about cyclists.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17811368490635048727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310088157925720041.post-18230096229610492662008-09-17T07:47:00.000-05:002008-09-17T07:47:00.000-05:00Actuating signals was a huge hassle in California....Actuating signals was a huge hassle in California. The Huntington Beach traffic department starting putting in "bike buttons" (like the pedestrian buttons) on the stanchions at intersections, and I had a huge argument with the traffic engineer about it and told him I would scootch over to the curb and push a button to change a light when car drivers had to get out of their vehicle and do the same thing.<BR/><BR/>Some of those buttons were at intersections with right-turn-only lanes, so if you were going straight you were literally 20 feet away from the button!<BR/><BR/>This has been a huge ongoing discussion on internet bike boards. It's the 21st century, we should all be going to video-actuated siganals.coppercornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17860183306934969719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310088157925720041.post-85461374514978019192008-09-17T07:16:00.000-05:002008-09-17T07:16:00.000-05:00The "stale" green light is responsible for as many...The "stale" green light is responsible for as many intersection collisions as anything else. The flashing green is a good idea.<BR/><BR/>Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com