On 04 Dec, 2004, at 14:06, I. Milton Karabell wrote:
December 4, 2004
Commissioner
Department of Streets
City of Philadelphia
7th Floor, MSB
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1676
Dear Commissioner:
While the myriad of construction projects continues at the intersection of Baltimore, Woodland and University Avenues, it remains to be seen whether the result of all this change and construction will result in better traffic flow. Clearly a great deal of money was involved and we should reasonably expect that an improvement will be the end result.
One thing is already clear; the intersection of Baltimore Avenue with Woodland Avenue (eastbound) will be a dangerous place to be whenever the road surface is the least bit slippery. The hard right turn immediately followed by a hard left turn into a sharp curve to the right will be a real challenge to any driver. I hope someone will be compiling statistics on the accidents that will be occurring at this "improved" traffic pattern.
Clearly the definition of "traffic flow" is at issue here.
Since this is a major Pedestrian area -- a residential area and a school zone -- the primary issue with controlling traffic flow is to dramatically lower the speeds which vehicles can obtain while transiting the area. And in the process, discourage vehicular use of the area.
The best method to deal with this potential problem would be to install significant rumble strips and speed bumps on all of the incoming lanes. If spaced no more than 20 feet apart, these would force drivers to slow down to the point where these hard left and right turns are no longer a problem for any driver. The new intersection can be easily navigated at 15 miles per hour, but not at the normal 40 which most expect to be doing when they try to run the lights.
Additionally, heavy concrete barriers could be installed at the "impact" points so that any vehicle which fails to negotiate the turns will be severely damaged and removed from the roadways of the city.
The resulting slow-down in overall traffic speeds will do more to alleviate the various traffic flow problems caused by "too many cars" trying to use the intersection, than virtually any other thing which can be done.
Also the left turn lane from westbound Woodland Avenue into the V.A. employee gate might best be replaced by a "jug handle" type turn which takes the few cars that need that turn onto southbound 39th Street. In fact a better solution would be a complete study of all the entrances to the V.A. Facility to see how best to get cars onto their property.
By the way, the last time I used that intersection at night, albeit a few weeks ago, there were no street lights on; that would be a big help too.
Sincerely,
I. Milton Karabell 913 South 48th Street Philadelphia, PA 19143 cc: University City District
T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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