I drove Hiawatha Ave. today and paralleled the LRT route. My experience wasn't as bad as Jason describes (it was aprox. 3:20 pm) but the waiting time at the lights was a quantum level greater than pre-LRT. The sequencing didn't make much sense to me. I can imagine what that stretch will be like during rush hour--bottled up, slow-going, anxious, and angry drivers.
Drivers are willing to adapt to change if things "make sense" and if they feel that everyone has to endure the consequences. On MPR there was a report on the traffic light sequencing while I was driving that route. The report stated that Federal regulations governing the LRT funding, and the MTC's committment to the passengers mitigate against changing the sequencing. To me that doesn't pass the smell test. The disruption is too great to explain it away like that. The public will rebel against such changes if they think they are unreasonable and if they feel that no effort is made at coming up with a compromise. For all their attempts, the MTC hasn't explained why they can't sequence the traffic lights in a more balanced way (without dumping on the drivers) and the rationale for changes. Very bad traffic planning and public relations. David Wilson Loring Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
