No Turn on Red’ policy expands in downtown Seattle (homes, neighborhoods)

[homesinseattle]

Article link here: https://mynorthwest.com/3885317/no-t...-downtown/amp/

“SDOT) has expanded its ‘No Turn on Red’ restrictions at 41 downtown intersections as part of its Vision Zero goal — an initiative to end traffic-related deaths and severe injuries on Seattle city streets by 2030.

According to SDOT, 28 locations are complete, with the rest set to happen before Seattle hosts Major League Baseball All-Star Week, which is set to occur July 11. Let’s not trade people’s safety so people in cars can save a few seconds of waiting for their turn to go,” SDOT Director Greg Spotts said in a prepared statement. “Adding over 40 No Turn on Red intersections downtown is the first step in our plan to expand this proven safety measure to pedestrian-dense neighborhoods.

This momentum-building action originates from the Vision Zero Top-to-Bottom review, commissioned by Spotts and Mayor Bruce Harrell, which found right turns account for 9% of all collisions with people crossing the street at Seattle’s signalized intersections.

There were approximately 100 Seattle intersections blocking right turns on a red light before this initiative.

“Implementing No Turn on Red restrictions makes a small, but meaningful, change to the traffic signal patterns at intersections,” SDOT wrote in a press release. “The change should not lead to noticeable delays for drivers, but makes a big difference on the comfort and safety of the most vulnerable travelers that are walking or rolling, especially when combined with other safety measures at intersections such as leading pedestrian intervals (LPI) and traffic calming treatments.

SDOT even created an interactive map for residents to see where the planned No Turn on Red intersections will be.

“We are taking action to improve walkability and safety as part of our work to draw people to the heart of Seattle and make downtown a welcoming place,” Harrell wrote in a press release. “Together, we can make downtown a vibrant, dynamic, and safe space for all.”

[Hemlock140]

I would expect to see a long learning curve, with most people being used to doing the right on red continuing until they get a ticket. I get off of I90 at the stadiums exit and almost every morning someone turns right on red there despite the signs, and that has been posted for many years.

[Arcos]

I’ve been test driving newer cars and some of the models have such thick and low sloping A pillars that I have to move my entire body forwards and back to look around it when turning. The problem is worse turning left, but pedestrians might be jaywalking even when someone s doing a left turn on green… that’s even more dangerous, since you have to move quickly if there’s oncoming traffic.

Something interesting I learned years ago… Cars in Europe are designed to be less lethal to pedestrians since there’s more interaction in those denser cities… the engine hoods have more give.

[rjshae]

This seems like part of an on-going effort to make driving in Seattle less desirable, at least on the side streets. I suppose next they'll turn the side streets into vast homeless camps.

[Arcos]

No, it seems like an attempt to reduce pedestrian deaths by simplifying crossings. If you have a green, you go, and no one else does. It’s a fairly basic concept in safety… don’t have a system that depends on judgement, skill, diligence and chance… have a system that’s inherently safe and can only fail if the participants break the rules (going on red), not if they make a mistake (fail to see a pedestrian).

[usernametaken]

Legalized and plentiful weed has surely made Seattle drivers among the most alert and safest in the country. Especially when they consume the giggle inducing strains.

[rjshae]

Originally Posted by Arcos

No, it seems like an attempt to reduce pedestrian deaths by simplifying crossings. If you have a green, you go, and no one else does. It’s a fairly basic concept in safety… don’t have a system that depends on judgement, skill, diligence and chance… have a system that’s inherently safe and can only fail if the participants break the rules (going on red), not if they make a mistake (fail to see a pedestrian).

Sure, but has this actually been demonstrated? A New York study showed no change in accident rates.

https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloa...rightonred.pdf

The intersections where RTOR is allowed have not seen significant changes in the overall number of crashes, nor in the number of crashes involving injuries to pedestrians.

If the intent has not been demonstrated through data, then it looks more like another political experiment.

[jabogitlu]

The first time I was hit by a driver in Seattle, they were turning right on red and didn't even slow down, even though the pedestrian crosswalk sign was on.

This is a big plus for those of us who live in the city. It's a negative for suburbanites who drive into the city, park near their destination, and then drive away.

Who do we design the city for? Its residents, obviously.

[jabogitlu]

Originally Posted by rjshae

If the intent has not been demonstrated through data, then it looks more like another political experiment.

Most things we do are political experiments. Demolishing thousands of homes in the 1950s to build I-5 through downtown Seattle and dense North Seattle was a gigantic political experiment. What are you suggesting?

[jabogitlu]

Originally Posted by rjshae

This seems like part of an on-going effort to make driving in Seattle less desirable, at least on the side streets. I suppose next they'll turn the side streets into vast homeless camps.

Yes, I would say that based on the folks I talk to here in the urban core, we (residents) do want our government to take concrete steps to make driving a car in the urban core of the city to be less desirable, or at least more dangerous. It seems that's the only way to stop folks from driving 45-55 MPH through the streets that we live on.