Downtown Atlanta Master Plan (Nelson, Buckhead: maintenance, move, transportation)

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by jsvh

I am supportive of a designated bus corridor, especially if it gets dedicated bus lanes.

Between this, MARTA's Northside BRT and the 'Hashtag BRT' routes, I'm a bit happier that the city is finally starting to show interest in creating dedicated bus right of ways. Not nearly enough IMO, but it's certainly a step in the right direction, planning wise.

[jsvh]

Also interesting that there is at least one "one-way conversion" shown on the plan: While the one-way part of Andrew Young (east of Turner Dr) is being converted to two-way. Andrew Young Blvd is currently two-way between COP and Turner Dr yet this plan shows it as one-way. I hope that is because they are giving the streetcar a dedicated lane there and turning it into a one-lane, one-way road for cars.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

So, I did any of y'all see the maps of proposed improvements from the plan itself? They're pretty nifty:

Can you explain what is the big push behind converting streets to two way from one way? Is one-way not safer and more efficient? I'll admit that I don't know why not.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Can you explain what is the big push behind converting streets to two way from one way? Is one-way not safer and more efficient? I'll admit that I don't know why not.

wide, 1 way streets encourage speeding and create a less than optimized ped experience. Also, I cannot tell you how many times I see visitors or suburban tagged vehicles nearly turn the wrong way into a 1 way street, because they aren't paying attention and/or are not use to 1 way streets.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Can you explain what is the big push behind converting streets to two way from one way? Is one-way not safer and more efficient? I'll admit that I don't know why not.

They slow traffic, which generally offsets the issues of added conflict points. They increase the number of potential routes to an area, meaning more options around an obstacle. One-way streets allow more through-put, but two-way streets allow more trip completions per hour.

That, then, increases business circulation, and generally makes it easier to maintain commercial activity at street-level, which is necessary if you want to make your neighborhood anything other than a drive-through, hence the conversions for downtown.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Can you explain what is the big push behind converting streets to two way from one way? Is one-way not safer and more efficient? I'll admit that I don't know why not.

They have answered the reason for the push. And as to your second, one-way is safer and more efficient. That's why they got rid of two way streets and street parking in many downtowns in the 60s.

New York City does just fine with all those pedestrian characteristics with one way streets. And its really easier to cross when you don't have to look in all directions. I think they are being rather short sighted. If they do get more jobs, businesses and residents downtown, they will regret abandoning one way.

[jsvh]

I am fine with one or and maybe some two lane one-way streets. But the massive 4 and 5 lane speedways we have now downtown are not good.

In a lab where you have two streets where the cars are going the same speeds and you keep everything else the same, yes, the less points of conflict mean more safety from a one-way. But these two-way conversions will benefit safety for all (drivers & pedestrians) because they will also slow / calm traffic and have less lanes.

Of course there is the additional economic benefit of having the the slower two-way streets with on-street parking too. It means more people will visit those businesses instead of just speeding by. There is a reason Newport is also pushing two way conversions and road diets in South Downtown.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by jsvh

I am fine with one or and maybe some two lane one-way streets. But the massive 4 and 5 lane speedways we have now downtown are not good.

In a lab where you have two streets where the cars are going the same speeds and you keep everything else the same, yes, the less points of conflict mean more safety from a one-way. But these two-way conversions will benefit safety for all (drivers & pedestrians) because they will also slow / calm traffic and have less lanes.

Of course there is the additional economic benefit of having the the slower two-way streets with on-street parking too. It means more people will visit those businesses instead of just speeding by. There is a reason Newport is also pushing two way conversions and road diets in South Downtown.

As I said earlier, it's a matter of comparing cars put through per hour vs. trips completed per hour. One-way roads are better at the first, but for anywhere trying to be more than a highway, the second one is what matters more.

[cqholt]

The Atlanta City Council on Monday approved the Downtown Atlanta Master Plan, a 15-year blueprint for the growth and redevelopment of the city’s core

View plan here: Downtown Atlanta Master Plan Draft | CiviComment
City Council approves Downtown Atlanta Master Plan - Atlanta INtown Paper

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Can you explain what is the big push behind converting streets to two way from one way? Is one-way not safer and more efficient? I'll admit that I don't know why not.

I have been to some conferences and seminars on this and many in the planning community prefer two-way streets.