National Harbor - News, Events, Updates, Questions and Developments Etc. (Potomac: to rent, lawyers)

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Whether traffic slows or not, drivers should be paying attention to the road. 9 times out of 10 people are driving 10 miles above the speed limit anyway. And there are dozens of things that potentially distract drivers.

1. Phone conversations
2. Conversations with people in the car
3. Radio
4. GPS
5. Aircraft
6. Weather
7. Billboards (almost all are lit at night on any state highway)
8. Cars on the side of the road.
9. Traffic message boards
10. Road construction
11. Accidents
12. Scenic views
13. Wildlife
14. Skylines
15. Buildings with interesting architecture.
16. Eating while driving (actually saw someone eating a bowl of cereal on the beltway.)
17. Applying makeup.
18. Reading a book, newspaper, or job related reading. (Saw someone editing a paper)
19. Ferris wheels. (I guess that's okay for people crossing the WW Bridge to be distracted by?)
20. Carnivals.
21. Public Events
22. Huge signs with messages. (I.E. Kings Dominion sign or mall signs)
23. etc.

I fail to see how lights and video on buildings is a tipping point all of a sudden. I cite two cases where drivers SHOULD NOT be distracted. Times Square and Chinatown in DC. Yet, both have bright lights and large LED screens. And this is with hundreds of pedestrians walking through the area. In NYC, thousands.

MGM's two billboards more than a few hundred yards from the Beltway should cause minimal distraction as they are dwarfed by the 1 million sqft, lit building that they will be placed on. If anything, the building itself could be a distraction being so architecturally distinct.

We shouldn't have to treat responsible adults like children. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Or else this becomes a nanny state where the state has to hold everyone's hand less we hurt ourselves.

And I'll add that MGM can point to many road distractions by other companies throughout the state of Maryland. Businesses should be able to advertise with signage. Especially directed at a highways. All billboards should be banned in the state if they are so distracting. There's a lit kenetic billboard above Franklins in Hyattsville in the same county.

I don't think it's a tipping point and if that is what the person said, then I disagree, but I think it does bring a concern. I think it's hard to compare driving in a city versus driving on a highway. It's a much different circumstances of driving that isn't always predicated on speed like it is on a highway. If you slow down in the city, there are numerous reasons why it happens and it can happen often. On a highway, it can cause accidents easier given the rate of speed that people travel. I don't think it should be a deal breaker to stop the LED screen, but I think they should at least consider ways that may reduce distraction (easier said than done).

We shouldn't have to treat responsible adults like children. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Or else this becomes a nanny state where the state has to hold everyone's hand less we hurt ourselves.

The irony in this statement is so profound especially considering that we're talking about MD.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by justtitans

I don't think it's a tipping point and if that is what the person said, then I disagree, but I think it does bring a concern. I think it's hard to compare driving in a city versus driving on a highway. It's a much different circumstances of driving that isn't always predicated on speed like it is on a highway. If you slow down in the city, there are numerous reasons why it happens and it can happen often. On a highway, it can cause accidents easier given the rate of speed that people travel. I don't think it should be a deal breaker to stop the LED screen, but I think they should at least consider ways that may reduce distraction (easier said than done).



The irony in this statement is so profound especially considering that we're talking about MD.

More pedestrians are killed by distracted drivers in cities than on interstates for obvious reasons. Yet, there are tons of distractions within cities. So, if there is concern for distracted drivers, I think the same should apply everywhere, not just in certain areas.

True, the only circumstances that are different is speed and infrequent stops. Yet accidents still occur in cities. More so than on interstates even with the lower speeds.

Building anything along site a highway can be a distraction. There are tons of signs that beg our attention. Especially billboards. Even the exit signs that have 12 different restaurants where you have to search to find the one you want.

All I'm saying is that the signs should be so less of a concern as to not have been mentioned as a concern. If there are people on the road that can't pay attention to the road, then perhaps they shouldn't be driving. If the MTA doesn't have a problem with it, then the Planning Board shouldn't.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

More pedestrians are killed by distracted drivers in cities than on interstates for obvious reasons. Yet, there are tons of distractions within cities. So, if there is concern for distracted drivers, I think the same should apply everywhere, not just in certain areas.

True, the only circumstances that are different is speed and infrequent stops. Yet accidents still occur in cities. More so than on interstates even with the lower speeds.

Building anything along site a highway can be a distraction. There are tons of signs that beg our attention. Especially billboards. Even the exit signs that have 12 different restaurants where you have to search to find the one you want.

All I'm saying is that the signs should be so less of a concern as to not have been mentioned as a concern. If there are people on the road that can't pay attention to the road, then perhaps they shouldn't be driving. If the MTA doesn't have a problem with it, then the Planning Board shouldn't.

If this was a requirement, we would have a lot less traffic problems . Distracted driving is a big issue. Again, I understand the concern, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker. I think we both agree that building the LED sign is not going to stop people from being distracted.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by justtitans

Here's what I am talking about

Getting There: Maryland rolls out travel time message signs - Baltimore, DC public transportation: News, delays and updates on MARC, Amtrak, BWI, light rail and highways and byways by reporter Michael Dresser - baltimoresun.com



..



I don't have as much faith as you guys have in the quality of drivers in this region.

Point taken but I think, like many things, people will adjust over time think about the area around the verizon center. The billboard alone would qualify as a distraction but how many accidents related to it have been reported. Just like with the traffic concerns people had when tanger opened (all but negligible now) people will adjust and will look at it as white noise.

[UrbanScholar]

FYI

http://mgmnationalharbor.com/files/CareerShowcase.pdf

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD, May 7, 2014 – MGM National Harbor, a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International
(NYSE: MGM), will host a “Career Showcase” event where MGM Resorts executives and employees will share
insights on the coming employment and career opportunities that will soon be available at MGM National
Harbor. This event will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Oxon Hill Manor in Prince George’s County

[UrbanScholar]

The Wal-Mart Project in Oxon Hill has been approved by the planning board and will now move to the District Council for review/approval of any special exceptions as well as the DSP

[phoenixmike11]

All aboard for a top-to-bottom look at National Harbor’s Capital Wheel

The lowdown on the Capital Wheel opening at National Harbor Friday 5/23

[phoenixmike11]

We rode National Harbor’s Capital Wheel so you don’t have to

an article in the Post from someone who rode the wheel and their opinion of it.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by phoenixmike11

We rode National Harbor’s Capital Wheel so you don’t have to

an article in the Post from someone who rode the wheel and their opinion of it.

Not surprised by that review. DC isn't one of those cities that you're going to get beautiful skyline views of. It was a bad idea from the jump. Doesn't sound like people are that into it.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by justtitans

Not surprised by that review. DC isn't one of those cities that you're going to get beautiful skyline views of. It was a bad idea from the jump. Doesn't sound like people are that into it.

I don't think it was a bad bad idea at all. I read the article and the only thing I could agree with is that the price is a tad high. But you do get an air conditioned gondola which may justify the higher price than a regular wheel.

But look, it's a novelty. People will ride it just because they love Ferris wheels. I believe the person who rode it was critical before he got on it.

DC is 7 miles away. Did the rider actually think the Mall would look as if he were in Rossyln? So what if the Monument was tiny, did they expect a magnified view?

It's a Ferris wheel, not a review mirror that makes "objects seem closer than they appear." The author should have known that if you can't see the Capital Dome from the Wilson Bridge, no tower or wheel will bring it closer to you. It's a ride that takes you up 20 stories. That's it.

Peoples' expectations are a bit far fetched sometimes. Even after reading this article, I'll still ride the wheel. Why? Because I think they are fun despite what I can or can't see. And I think for a lot of people, it won't matter either. Especially kids.