This happened in Warsaw after the traffic signal system went kaput on a busy intersection. I would love to say that because everyone there is tolerant, respectful, and able to easily merge into and out traffic, the busted signal wasn’t an issue. But I can’t say that.
Everyone, including buses, trams and ambulances decided that they had the right of way. Those who didn’t have the right of way decided that if they don’t just go they’ll be stuck there forever. And they would probably be right. So here they were, in this clusterfuck.
How does one solve this issue?
That’s how.
Play again next week when we visit New Delhi.
By Kamil Kaluski
East Coast Editor. Races crappy cars and has an unhealthy obsession with Eastern Bloc cars. Current fleet: Ford Bronco, Lexus GX 470, and a Buick Regal crapcan racecar.
Jeff Glucker
Pull the yellow bus on the right back. Which frees up this right lane. Which frees up the grey bus and its friends. That should get most of it moving but not the train.
I like your optimism that the bus wouldn’t have a line of cars behind it!
It’s after work and I’m thinking positive.
“How does one solve this issue?”
Get some police on site directing traffic. Adding the trains/trams here really doesn’t help.
First piece of advice is free.
https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/previews/000/115/358/original/top-view-roundabout-vector.jpg
But how well would a round a bound work with the tram tracks?
Good point. If the trams follow the road either way, they could also follow the circle and its almighty rules. But their speed and length might complicate things.
In Melbourne, home of one of the more extensive tram networks there are several examples to say it can be done. The first one is fairly simple because the side streets (angled) have little traffic, so the rule is just give way to the tram.
The second one has horrendous traffic in peak hour, and has been converted to fully traffic signal controlled to try and reduce congestion. Previously there were amber flashing lights to signal when a tram was passing through the intersection.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/364ab566ae62bf64acc8787acef83af60602ff24e2fe8a828cb2b3499846c515.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bbf6c23c053299d74daf1fcd90a697dfb04b71fc679b638501956d631911d429.png
a modest proposal:
1) deconflict the trams so they can’t get into that situation
2) free helicopter rides for box-blockers
Last time traffic lights went out in my town everyone seemed to get through the intersection quicker than when they were operational.