Yes, but why can't the lights be timed to turn red first!?! That way everyone is already stopped and out of the way when the RR crossing lights flash and the posts go down. I see this as the inherent problem...
What people should do by law and what they are inclined to do when so told by a green light is not going to change anything. People are trained to react to traffic lights - and green means go. The lights need to reflect human reactive tendencies. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Liz Greenbaum Longfellow "Doug Walter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dean, while I agree it is disconcerting to have a green traffic light while >the red crossing lights are flashing, there is a really good reason for it. > >When the train gets close enough, it trips a sensor in the tracks which >starts the RR Crossing signal lights and bells. Again, no matter what the >highway's traffic lights are doing, which are of course, *after* the RR >signals, all traffic is supposed to stop. >A few seconds later, the gate starts to drop. The traffic lights stay green >a few seconds longer to allow the last-minute drivers or slowpokes (and >there are many) a bit more chance to clear the tracks. If the traffic light >went red at the same time as the RR crossing lights, there is a risk that >cars, especially trying to turn left from 50th, would be caught with their >tails on the tracks. Thus the delay. -- Elizabeth Greenbaum Director ArtiCulture www.articulture.org 612.729.5151 __________________________________________________________________ Switch to Netscape Internet Service. As low as $9.95 a month -- Sign up today at http://isp.netscape.com/register Netscape. Just the Net You Need. New! Netscape Toolbar for Internet Explorer Search from anywhere on the Web and block those annoying pop-ups. Download now at http://channels.netscape.com/ns/search/install.jsp 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
