Pittsburgh 3rd worst city to Drive in US..

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

^ This. People are now inflating Pittsburgh's image so much that they are comparing us to NYC, SF, L.A., DC, etc. in terms of housing prices, traffic congestion, and other quality-of-life measurements when we're NOT IN THE SAME LEAGUE!

How does our traffic stack up to Raleigh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville, Milwaukee, and other "peer" cities? That's what's important. If our traffic is a breeze compared to DC but hell compared to Cincinnati, then, obviously Pittsburgh has major traffic issues, which it does.

Excellent point.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I've posted this before if you look here it's pretty funny where Pittsburgh ranks in the "most congested corridors":

INRIX National Traffic Scorecard

Boy that's really weird. The highest rank (worst) goes to the outbound Parkway...NORTH? I guess that's where it pays to be able to use the HOV lane. It does seem pretty nasty in the evenings now on the regular section. Although it thins out considerably in the summer (perhaps the other routes do as well). Also the section in question is much shorter than the others.

Anyway. Traffic is one of those things that affects you in specific areas. It is possible to not have too much in the way of traffic issues. Your own driving patterns (place and time) will determine whether that happens for you or not.

Not sure what's up with citing places like Columbus. Having driven into and out of Columbus at rush hour (I-70 to/from here) I never found it especially better. The surface streets are wider downtown but get out on the highway and it's nasty enough I found. Same with Cleveland except the backup is not so close to downtown but on one of the highway routes farther away that I use (I-480 I believe).

You want to argue Pittsburgh has more traffic problems than other places a given size? Sure, I can buy it. I think it's odd to say that it "shouldn't happen here" though. I'm not sure what the basis for that is. Anyplace that has more traffic than the roadway infrastructure is designed to support can have traffic problems, even if it's smaller than Pittsburgh.

The hills and rivers also limit the viability of alternate routes in many cases by having fewer roads going the right way and only so many bridges.

[gmagoo]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

So we're supposed to let idiots remain idiots behind the wheel, unchecked, just because they "may" have a gun?

Pro road rage....interesting. Check away if you must.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

A guy pulled a gun on my dad this year in traffic for a road rage incident. Careful who you "check" because situations can escalate far too quickly on the road. Drive defensive, "let it go", and expect the lowest out of the human race when they operate a vehicle. You'll be better off in the long run.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by greg42

...Traffic is one of those things that affects you in specific areas. It is possible to not have too much in the way of traffic issues. Your own driving patterns (place and time) will determine whether that happens for you or not.

i agree. what do people expect? MORE roads? destroying neighborhoods for people in cars?
it didnt take more than 2 generations for the parkway north to become the less aggravating version of 376. population boom in the north hills....coincidence?

northern virginians were the absolute worst - always DEMANDING improvements when there is no...more...room for more roads. the area was practically over-saturated. ive never seen anything like it. the south hillians here really shouldnt complain.

cant more people work from home? a friend in another city works for a non-profit outside of DC. she lives near Frederick, MD, and works from home 2 days a week, maybe 3.

but for road rage, yes, SteelCityRising sounds like he needs a break. i dont blame him - i wrote all of his posts years ago in blogs or in venting emails to friends.....bad drivers have no idea they are bad. those that admit it are usually nice people, ive found. the bad drivers, and/or americans in general do NOT want to have their bad habits called out. that is an affront to the sensibilities of the modernite. how dare you, frankly!

i enjoy driving, and do it rarely, using Zip car (that sucks, but thats a different story). it doesnt take long before i regress to cursing like a sailor. there is so little common sense and caution with most people. and walking around you take a different perspective - wow, you see how people in warm vehicles act and its scary.