I wonder what would be the effect if, hanging next to the stoplights, there were signs that said “Lights Timed For 22 MPH” or “Lights Timed For 38 MPH.”?

I see several benefits.

Auto advocates wouldn’t object, at least not at first.

Drivers would know what speed to drive, and would be more likely to slow down to keep going. Other drivers would be less likely to honk at those at those failing to jack-rabbit to the light in front of them.

Bikers would know what streets they could ride on and take the lane. I’d say 16-18 mph is more like it for that purpose.

And neighborhoods with faster lights on narrower streets would lobby for reductions.

I lived for a while in Tulsa OK. The speed limit there was 25 on side streets, and 40 on the arterials. Here it is 30, period. Tulsa’s distinctions made more sense to me.

“There are other duds, including the idea — sure to die in Albany — of putting tolls on toll-free bridges over the East and Harlem Rivers.”

Tolling may or may not be the way to do it, but they need to come up with a way to correct the traffic flow imbalance that leads to huge amounts of congestion at the free bridges and unused capacity at the Battery Tunnel, Midtown Tunnel and Triborough Bridge. (Forgive my ignorance – the Queensboro Bridge is toll-free, right?)

I can see more people making the subway their home or safety becoming more of an issue without the turnstyles to turn away those who want to just troll the subway platforms.

There’s still too much speeding, though, since someone behind the progressions can drive well above the speed limit to catch up. But it is an improvement.

the light progressions are set at whatever speed will move the most traffic, not what is safest for peds and cyclists.

I base this on driving the avenue from time to time. It seems that 20 to 22 mph will allow you to keep up with the lights on a day with limited traffic (which is when I’m likely to be driving). That wasn’t true before. Anyone else agree?

Or just signal timing for slower speeds and red light cameras.

I actually liked the CP suggestions in the NY SUN. Essentially a bridge toll plan, but with one free trip per month for those with NY plates, and free trips for those going to the doctor or hospital.

The latter would be ripe for massive abuse. But the former is a good idea, as it gets rid of the criticism of those who HAVE TO drive to Manhattan for health care, entertainment or shopping by car.

Perhaps there could be two free trips per month.

I am beginning to believe that there are three things that won’t cost the city billions but will get our desired ‘Street Renaissance”:

1. Enforcement. Yeah right, I don’t believe the NYPD can change it’s revolting self, but if they actually did the job they are commissioned to do, like ticket cars that break laws, then the streets would be safer and more livable.

2. remove private vehicle parking from many commercial areas. That is where the money is being lost it seems, in traffic and delivery delays. If people really need to double park somewhere, does that car that is on the inside, often just left there, reaping the benefits of ‘Free Car Storage”, need to be there? i.e. Ride down 5th ave in Bklyn and look at the double parked trucks with the personal cars at the curb.

3. Lower speed limits for non human powered vehicles to a crawl, and enforce it. Again, yeah right.