KCRag Forum

kcnewbie wrote: It is always nice for KC to acquire big-city amenities like ramp-metering. They should add HOV/Express lanes on I-435, I-35 and I-70. This will really impress out-of-town visitors from places like Omaha, Joplin, Des Moines, etc.

GRID wrote: Ramp metering is a good thing, ESPECIALLY in KC where people simply can not get up to speed or merge onto freeways without causing problems.  HOV lanes are a total waste of money and space, ESPECIALLY in a place like KC.

I've said it before and now after living in DC for a month, I'll say it again.  Outside the north/south linear core of KCMO, there is zero need for commuter rail, HOV lanes etc in metro KC.  None.

I feel like a broken record here, but once again.

Build a light rail or modern street car or BRT spine in the RCP, then build a high quality, comprehensive bus system that primarily uses existing infrastructure (shoulders etc).  And you have something.

But I look forward to the ramp metering in KC.  Getting on highways in KC is just so dangerous.  I think most things about KC drivers are pretty average, but there are a few exceptions.

Not being able to get on a freeway is number one and forcing the people that do know how to follow suit.  Followed by excessive cell phone use and then simply driving unnecessarily slow on freeways, especially in left lanes.

There is nothing worse or more dangerous than having to follow somebody up (or even down) a ramp onto a busy urban freeway going 40mph.  Nothing.  Hopefully they meter the ramps 24/7.

GRID wrote:There is nothing worse or more dangerous than having to follow somebody up (or even down) a ramp onto a busy urban freeway going 40mph.  Nothing.  Hopefully they meter the ramps 24/7.

GRID wrote:There is nothing worse or more dangerous than having to follow somebody up (or even down) a ramp onto a busy urban freeway going 40mph.  Nothing.

DaveKCMO wrote: forgot to mention i saw what looked like a completed ramp meter (no crossing arm, just lights?) at eastbound on-ramp of 435 and wornall over the weekend.

PumpkinStalker wrote: Don't worry, they'll probably have photo cameras too, which will in turn cause more accidents via rear ending bumper fucks, just like they do on normal intersections.

PumpkinStalker wrote: Don't worry, they'll probably have photo cameras too, which will in turn cause more accidents via rear ending bumper fucks, just like they do on normal intersections.

dangerboy wrote: Rear end collisions are much better than T-Bone collisions, which kill people.  A few more fender benders in exchange for a dramatic drop in serious, deadly crashes is a pretty good tradeoff.

"Even defenders of photo enforcement acknowledge studies showing that red-light cameras (which are designed to be conspicuous to motorists) lead to an increase in rear-end collisions as drivers slam on the brakes. Defenders claim the trade-off is still a net gain because of reduced deadly T-bones in the middle of the intersection. But the real lesson may be that both types of accidents would be reduced by a longer yellow."

"One Way to Reduce Red Light Running: Longer Yellow Lights

Researchers have found that longer yellow lights result in drivers running red lights less frequently. For example, one study by the Texas Transportation Institute found that an increase in yellow light duration of 1 second corresponds to a 40 percent reduction in crashes.

Intuitively, this makes sense. The extended time gives drivers more time to make decisions and gives drivers that are close to the light more time to make it through the light without concern. Drivers that are further away from the light have more notice that they need to stop."

DaveKCMO wrote: i've seen arms in LA or phoenix, can't remember which. they were tiny, like in a parking garage. that was years ago, however.