Lack of left green arrows? (Pittsburgh, Washington: income, living, dangerous)

[Gmenpg]

Can someone explain the theory behind the lack of Left green arrows? Everywhere in the city, its impossible(dangerous) to turn left . Since I drive in the city for a living, I legit just go on red. Its like 1 car a light. (which has to run on red)

best example its trying to take a left onto S.Aiken when your on 5th Avenue in Shadyside. For streets that don't have that much traffic, I understand. But Streets well traveled on like S.Aiken and also turning left onto E. Liberty Blv from N. Highland, need green arrows!!

I need it explained to me haha.

[szug-bot]

I agree about the one on Fifth Avenue to South Aiken.

You have a right to file a 311. Have you considered doing so?

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by Gmenpg

Can someone explain the theory behind the lack of Left green arrows? Everywhere in the city, its impossible(dangerous) to turn left . Since I drive in the city for a living, I legit just go on red. Its like 1 car a light. (which has to run on red)

best example its trying to take a left onto S.Aiken when your on 5th Avenue in Shadyside. For streets that don't have that much traffic, I understand. But Streets well traveled on like S.Aiken and also turning left onto E. Liberty Blv from N. Highland, need green arrows!!

I need it explained to me haha.

There is a left turn arrow from Fifth to Aiken.

[eschaton]

I'm in favor of anything which will stop cars from making right-hand turns into me while I'm crossing at a crosswalk when a walk signal is active.

[tyovan4]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I'm in favor of anything which will stop cars from making right-hand turns into me while I'm crossing at a crosswalk when a walk signal is active.

Almost happened to me again last night. Crossing Washington Place between Chatham Center and PPG Paints - I had the "walk" light, and cars didn't yield. One lady came within arms length of hitting me - which unleashed a torrent of profanity from me. And me walking up to the intersection with Centre, where she was sitting at a red light, to engage in some "sign language communication".

The City's "Pedestrian Safety" is a joke. It's all about the bike lanes and coming up with other futuristic ideas.. here are some simple solutions - ensure that crosswalks are actually painted on streets downtown. And have police officers actually write tickets for moving violations (particularly those which endanger pedestrians) downtown. Heck, even do 1-week random blitzes of this a few times per year. The ticket income will more than pay for the police overtime.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I'm in favor of anything which will stop cars from making right-hand turns into me while I'm crossing at a crosswalk when a walk signal is active.

Speaking of which, why is there no walk signal on Walnut at Aiken?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by tyovan4

Almost happened to me again last night. Crossing Washington Place between Chatham Center and PPG Paints - I had the "walk" light, and cars didn't yield. One lady came within arms length of hitting me - which unleashed a torrent of profanity from me. And me walking up to the intersection with Centre, where she was sitting at a red light, to engage in some "sign language communication".

The City's "Pedestrian Safety" is a joke. It's all about the bike lanes and coming up with other futuristic ideas.. here are some simple solutions - ensure that crosswalks are actually painted on streets downtown. And have police officers actually write tickets for moving violations (particularly those which endanger pedestrians) downtown. Heck, even do 1-week random blitzes of this a few times per year. The ticket income will more than pay for the police overtime.

I think it will be hard to have Pittsburghers unlearn their weird habit of ignoring pedestrians crossing the street. IMHO the only way to solve it is to have four-way walk signals which are red on all sides. That won't totally stop people making right-hand turns into pedestrians, but at least it will stop the left hand turns.

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I think it will be hard to have Pittsburghers unlearn their weird habit of ignoring pedestrians crossing the street. IMHO the only way to solve it is to have four-way walk signals which are red on all sides. That won't totally stop people making right-hand turns into pedestrians, but at least it will stop the left hand turns.

Fifth and Wood transitioned to a strange configuration somewhat like that. There is a four way red, with walk signals in both directions that works fine, however when it is green on Wood, there are still walk signals to cross Fifth, however not when Fifth is green.

It is not always the drivers though. Dozens of pedestrians ignore the Do Not Walk signal across Wood Street while Fifth is green. This makes it so basically one or two turning cars get through the light.


Pittsburghers have a propensity to do as they please at intersections, whether it is walking or driving in a car.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I'm in favor of anything which will stop cars from making right-hand turns into me while I'm crossing at a crosswalk when a walk signal is active.

a campaign of information, warning, then TICKETING would help!

word of advice during hockey season...when a couple lanes of traffic are stopped around Chatham Center, particularly at their ped entrance on Fifth Avenue, do not gallop across the crosswalk - drivers in the far lane might not see you and will coast across the crosswalk as if it was an open road in Big Sky country.

[Rust Belt Kid]

The lack of green arrows is why the Pittsburgh Left is a thing.