[NDJeff]

Originally Posted by lvoc

The narrow segments on roads is driven by the nature of NV property rights. Basically an owner can be forced to create an easement or dedicate the road right of way when the property is developed. Land can be taken in critical situations but it requires the use of eminent domain and generally paying a relatively high price for the property. If done when the land is developed the right of way is basically free.

The traffic light system is quite integrated and controlled. From FAST...

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Q 34: How many traffic signals are currently installed in the Las Vegas Valley? How many are on the FAST network?

A 34: There are approximately 1,200 traffic signals in the Las Vegas Valley, and about 1000 of those are "on the network" and able to be remotely controlled. More are coming online regularly as FAST works with area agencies to install fiber optics and new or upgraded signal controllers across the Valley. In addition, FAST is working to upgrade older and obsolete traffic signal controllers to provide better timing throughout the Valley.

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There are numerous complaints that it does not work but actual data does not appear to exist.

I understand how the patchwork nature of housing developments has led to the goofy surface road issue. New developments turned formerly rural areas into arterial roads and the owners refuse to sell or else the local govt is too lazy to address the problem.

As far as FAST, that acronym must stand for Freaking Awesome at Stealing from Taxpayers because their system doesn't work. As an example, the other day I took Rainbow from Blue Diamond road to Sahara and never hit a green the whole way. The lights are timed so you would have to do 65+ to catch a green or else run the red. Either the system doesn't work at all, the operators are completely incompetent, or they are creating congestion on purpose. I'm guessing #1, but who knows.

The 215 was pretty well done though, I will admit that. When I first started looking at homes in Las Vegas I was kind of impressed with the planning that went into that. If they could only extend that kind of thinking to the other arterial streets traffic would be much less congested.

[ScoopLV]

If the goal was to computerize the traffic system in a way to create maximum gridlock, I think they have been completely successful. I especially like the two-second-long green left-turn arrows at major intersections. That's basically saying, "Please, motorists, run red lights and put everyone at risk."

[lvoc]

As I said there is no data. Lots of opinion but no data. There are probably real results at the FAST office. But all this other stuff is anecdotal. My wife for instance will always go north/south on Buffalo as she believes it flows much better than Rainbow. But either Rainbow or Buffalo may be sacrificed to provide smooth flow on the east/west streets. You cannot optimize east west and north south at the same time. 50 years ago in NYC the pattern was two blocks east or west then go north or south. And it worked. Later they went to the big one ways and you run east and west.

I am going to drop an email to the road warrior and see if we can get him to chase some real data.

[Clarkcty]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

THAT took me a while to get used to.. until I notice the little "E" or "W" in front of the name.. but I agree. I remember being up in what seemed like the middle of nowhere and seeing one of my major cross street names. It was a bit confusing. AND it was in 2 different cities!

Perhaps local officials have very limited street naming abilities.

[Cyborgt800]

I wish I knew how much LV would get under my skin and into my blood! I really miss living there!

[henderson702]

There is not a better city if you are a responsible single person or retired. Now, if you have a family and live here, you lack wisdom in my honest opinion.

[jtjtjtjt]

For Vegas roads, I like the grid layout. Most all roads go north/south or east/west, not a lot of curving around. Every half mile or so is a minor through road and every mile or so is a major through road that is 4, 6, or 8 lanes.

It makes navigating by polar coordinates easy. "How do I get to Red Rock casino? Answer: it is that direction 6 or 7 miles." A lot easier than "go on this road for a few miles, turn left, cross the overpass, turn right at the Baptist church and you should be on Charleston and follow that a couple of miles and you're there".

I still say shut down the strip to traffic, make it a walkway with a monorail down the middle that stretches from downtown all the way to the airport. Sorry taxi drivers, you'll have to learn to deal or cook...

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by jtjtjtjt

For Vegas roads, I like the grid layout. Most all roads go north/south or east/west, not a lot of curving around. Every half mile or so is a minor through road and every mile or so is a major through road that is 4, 6, or 8 lanes.

It makes navigating by polar coordinates easy. "How do I get to Red Rock casino? Answer: it is that direction 6 or 7 miles." A lot easier than "go on this road for a few miles, turn left, cross the overpass, turn right at the Baptist church and you should be on Charleston and follow that a couple of miles and you're there".

I still say shut down the strip to traffic, make it a walkway with a monorail down the middle that stretches from downtown all the way to the airport. Sorry taxi drivers, you'll have to learn to deal or cook...

A jt after my own heart. You get it, you can stay. The rest - go home.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by Cyborgt800

I wish I knew how much LV would get under my skin and into my blood! I really miss living there!

Originally Posted by henderson702

There is not a better city if you are a responsible single person or retired. Now, if you have a family and live here, you lack wisdom in my honest opinion.

TBCOTA. The late Forest Duke, RJ and Weekly Variety Magazine columnist, named this town, "The Best City Of Them All", and anybody who lived here back then knows automatically what TBCOTA means.

[Clarkcty]

Originally Posted by NDJeff

I understand how the patchwork nature of housing developments has led to the goofy surface road issue. New developments turned formerly rural areas into arterial roads and the owners refuse to sell or else the local govt is too lazy to address the problem.

As far as FAST, that acronym must stand for Freaking Awesome at Stealing from Taxpayers because their system doesn't work. As an example, the other day I took Rainbow from Blue Diamond road to Sahara and never hit a green the whole way. The lights are timed so you would have to do 65+ to catch a green or else run the red. Either the system doesn't work at all, the operators are completely incompetent, or they are creating congestion on purpose. I'm guessing #1, but who knows.

The 215 was pretty well done though, I will admit that. When I first started looking at homes in Las Vegas I was kind of impressed with the planning that went into that. If they could only extend that kind of thinking to the other arterial streets traffic would be much less congested.

NO, you were not here when the beltway first opened. It had traffic lights and not a continuous drive that you are now currently experiencing. So in other words, it was not done well. Not only did people have to take in the scenic route, people had to deal with traffic lights as well when the beltway first opened to motorists!!