Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Locals only! Pavement

Sydney has a convoluted maze of streets and overloaded main arteries not designed for peak-hour traffic loads. This overload results in cars cutting through neighborhood streets. It's not a huge problem when the drivers are respectful,  but often it's the jerk who can't wait in line with everyone else -  the one with the loud obnoxious engine who races through the quiet street.  Rather than blocking off the street,  the goal is to control speeds on it.  In this respect,  wavy pavement might do the trick -  with undulations alternating for each tire track!  Not the height of speed bumps,  but a continuous,  slight undulation in the surface that becomes more noticeable at greater speed. On the side,  a smooth bicycle lane to facilitate human powered travelers. Either this, or simply make the pavement corrugated, like a rumble strip; except for the bike lane. This would present a visual indicator to drivers that the street is primarily for locals, and slow-speed traffic has the right-of-way. Speed bumps work somewhat, but the tendency is to race up to them, brake, and race away.

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