[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by rhuff80

I can't personally cite for a fact, but I have been in cities with timed lights and LV is just bad. Completely off and inefficient. Anecdotal, yes, but it's on another level here; no rhyme or reason.

The rub is that all synchronizing schemes break if they are loaded above some threshold. Basically the set of cars that arrive at an intersection during the green period exceeds the number that can get through . Think about it. For a synchronizing scheme to be fully working there can be only a very few cars arriving during the red.

We regularly use Sahara westbound between Buffalo and Durango. During the evening rush hour it fills up completely during the red cycle. That says any synced cars have no chance of getting through Durango during the next green.

Note we also have major arterials crossing. At that point the max green is half the time presuming the two are dealing with similar loads.

So what we are dealing with may be physics not lack of synchronizing. My first mechanical engineering professor in engineering school was one of the US experts on the subject. We used to get traffic flow problems as homework.

Places where it works well may be lightly loaded or have a one direction orientation.

[CD2017]

Originally Posted by lvmensch

The rub is that all synchronizing schemes break if they are loaded above some threshold. Basically the set of cars that arrive at an intersection during the green period exceeds the number that can get through . Think about it. For a synchronizing scheme to be fully working there can be only a very few cars arriving during the red.

We regularly use Sahara westbound between Buffalo and Durango. During the evening rush hour it fills up completely during the red cycle. That says any synced cars have no chance of getting through Durango during the next green.

Note we also have major arterials crossing. At that point the max green is half the time presuming the two are dealing with similar loads.

So what we are dealing with may be physics not lack of synchronizing. My first mechanical engineering professor in engineering school was one of the US experts on the subject. We used to get traffic flow problems as homework.

Places where it works well may be lightly loaded or have a one direction orientation.

That has been my thoughts as well. We drive in the same areas and it's just not effective. I wish they would attempt something else if just for the case of trying.

[clutchcargo777]

Those laws of physics only come into play in Las Vegas. Other cities seem to be exempt as they can get it right.

[BBMW]

There's no way to cut the right of way for any major highway though the core of the Vegas metro area (as defined as inside the beltway, and the Spring Mountains on the east side. The arterials all have significant flanking usage and are too narrow. it might be possible to close the loop on the belt way in the east side, or not.

So I don't see anything happening as far as new interior highways. I think the I-11 project is the main new highway construction you'll be seeing.

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by clutchcargo777

Those laws of physics only come into play in Las Vegas. Other cities seem to be exempt as they can get it right.

The physics are the same but the physical parameters may be very different. Loading and direction play a role. Las Vegas is a square grid with both EW and NS arterials. And it is all overloaded. Lots of towns are various blobs connected by arterials.I did a decade and a hlf in Rochester NY which was structured that way. In general those arterials and the freeways flowed very well. But there were very close to no arterials crossing.

[joelg1988]

I actually took the time to read all 34 comments and I agree with a lot of you guys. I just miss how Kansas City and many other metros with a population of around 2-2.5 million have more 50-55+ mph roads than Vegas. Not a deal breaker, though.

I still don't regret moving here. The great weather and entertainment options Vegas offers compensates for the lack of "express" roads.

[clutchcargo777]

Originally Posted by joelg1988

I actually took the time to read all 34 comments and I agree with a lot of you guys. I just miss how Kansas City and many other metros with a population of around 2-2.5 million have more 50-55+ mph roads than Vegas. Not a deal breaker, though.

I still don't regret moving here. The great weather and entertainment options Vegas offers compensates for the lack of "express" roads.

We have 50-55 mph+ roads, we just call them 45's

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by BBMW

There's no way to cut the right of way for any major highway though the core of the Vegas metro area (as defined as inside the beltway, and the Spring Mountains on the east side. The arterials all have significant flanking usage and are too narrow. it might be possible to close the loop on the belt way in the east side, or not.

So I don't see anything happening as far as new interior highways. I think the I-11 project is the main new highway construction you'll be seeing.

Need to take a page from much of the rest of the world and rebuild our roads into this.

https://www.vivanext.com/blog/vivane...2009_08_24.jpg

You see this in all of Latin America, medians can be dedicated to buses or trains, next two lanes are express and last two are "local" for lack of a better word. Kind of surprised it hasn't really made it to the US, but then again these are part of the reason why you don't see too many urban freeways in Latin America either.

Do this to Flamingo or Trop, Rainbow and Eastern to begin with. Its not quite a freeway, but once people get the hang of it traffic flow improves immensely especially for longer travel that doesn't align with the existing freeways. Extra benefit, you can actually make light rail or bus rapid transit work in Vegas.

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by Willy702

Need to take a page from much of the rest of the world and rebuild our roads into this.

https://www.vivanext.com/blog/vivane...2009_08_24.jpg

You see this in all of Latin America, medians can be dedicated to buses or trains, next two lanes are express and last two are "local" for lack of a better word. Kind of surprised it hasn't really made it to the US, but then again these are part of the reason why you don't see too many urban freeways in Latin America either.

Do this to Flamingo or Trop, Rainbow and Eastern to begin with. Its not quite a freeway, but once people get the hang of it traffic flow improves immensely especially for longer travel that doesn't align with the existing freeways. Extra benefit, you can actually make light rail or bus rapid transit work in Vegas.

Actually you could get rid of most of the problem buy simply separating the grade where the arterials cross.

Simply take Charleston and fly it over all the major streets and use stop signs on all minor streets or give the arterial 90% priority at all minor ones not stop signed.

[Commander666]

Why is everyone in a big rush? Chill.