Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Wed, Oct 18 2006
Flashing lights at crosswalks
The nearby city of Salinas is installing crosswalks with flashing lights in some locations. You can see one type of crosswalk lights installation here. I saw a different type of lighting, similar to the lighting pictured here, in the city of San Luis Obispo. Many studies seem to indicate that the lighting increases visibility of pedestrians on the part of drivers.
People have a bad habit of just stopping their car in the left of two lanes, waiting to turn onto a side street, without using their turn indicator. A driver just pulling up in the rightmost lane might assume the driver in the left lane is planning to turn left and is neglecting to use a turn indicator, when in fact, the driver in the left lane may be stopped for a crossing pedestrian who is not visible to the driver in the right lane because the stopped vehicle in the left lane is blocking his or her line of sight. If there were lights flashing at pavement level as a pedestrian entered the crosswalk and the lights continued to flash the whole time the pedestrian moved across the roadway it would be a clear signal to the driver in the right lane to prepare to stop. It costs more money than plain striping, but it makes great sense and could save lives.
posted at: 06:50 | category: /Health and Fitness | link to this entry
The nearby city of Salinas is installing crosswalks with flashing lights in some locations. You can see one type of crosswalk lights installation here. I saw a different type of lighting, similar to the lighting pictured here, in the city of San Luis Obispo. Many studies seem to indicate that the lighting increases visibility of pedestrians on the part of drivers.
People have a bad habit of just stopping their car in the left of two lanes, waiting to turn onto a side street, without using their turn indicator. A driver just pulling up in the rightmost lane might assume the driver in the left lane is planning to turn left and is neglecting to use a turn indicator, when in fact, the driver in the left lane may be stopped for a crossing pedestrian who is not visible to the driver in the right lane because the stopped vehicle in the left lane is blocking his or her line of sight. If there were lights flashing at pavement level as a pedestrian entered the crosswalk and the lights continued to flash the whole time the pedestrian moved across the roadway it would be a clear signal to the driver in the right lane to prepare to stop. It costs more money than plain striping, but it makes great sense and could save lives.
posted at: 06:50 | category: /Health and Fitness | link to this entry
