Pac Man Slows Down Traffic
In news outside of Chicago, a highway engineer near Buffalo, Minnesota, decided that an effective way of getting cars to slow down would be to paint dots on the road. The dots indicated how far apart each car should be in order to allow them ample time to stop from 55mph. And some brave soul noticed these dots, and painted a Pac Man in the middle of them!
This has apparently had a positive effect on traffic, even, as people slow down to eyeball Pac Man!
Full Story at the Star TribuneLabels: traffic
An End in Sight for the Devon and River Rd Toll Plaza Construction?
The construction in the ORT lanes at the toll plazas connecting the NW Tollway to the Kennedy is finally getting close to being finished, or so it appears. Like most of this road construction, it kind of shows up overnight - one day, there is a gaping hole to the road below, then the next day, it is fully paved and there are lines painted on the fresh concrete.
The new concrete is still closed off, for the most part, but it appears to have all been laid and they are just doing the final touches on finishing it up.
The Cash lanes still have some work left, according to
traffic.com, the inbound toll plaza will have its leftmost cash lane blocked until January 6, 2007; the outbound will have its center cash lane closed until February 1, 2006.
Labels: Construction, Kennedy, NW Tollway
Happy Holidays, Here's a DUI Violation!
Illinois State Police and Lake County Sheriffs are
increasing their patrolling or Route 21 near Libertyville for the holiday season. It is apparently a shortcut from Wisconsin to the Northern Suburbs, and the police expect there to be higher-than-normal numbers of intoxicated drivers, as they leave holiday parties.
Drink in moderation and drive safe out there people!
Labels: police
Metra Plans New STAR Line - Seeks Your Feedback
Metra is considering building a new suburban rail system that would connect between many of the suburbs in the area. They are seeking public feedback via
a survey that asks some pointed questions - where you live, where your office is, etc. They seem to really be trying to get a feel for public demand here and what people would actually use.
This is great news for reverse commuters, if you live near a Metra stop. This line plans on connecting with all of the other lines so you could transfer. Unfortunately, however, its only connection to the CTA is via the Blue Line and some buses. So lakefront dwellers are out of luck. However, it's a start, and could greately benefit the region. I encourage everyone to fill out
the survey to let Metra know that we want better transit!
Labels: Politics, public transit, traffic
Increased Police Presence on 355
A fellow commuter reports that over the last couple of weeks, he has seen an increased number of police hunting for speeders on 355, between Army Trail and 55th Street. No word why, exactly, but it has apparently been causing traffic to slow down as people behave nicely for the friendly officers.
Labels: 355, traffic
Business Week: Traffic Congestion is Getting Worse
Business Week has an excellent article, discussing the challenges that traffic planners are encountering while planning for the future. They also bring up some disturbing facts:
- Areas with populations over 3 million will see minimum delays per traveler of 38 hours each year by 2013. Areas over 1 million will see delays of between 10 and 35 hours each year. Small areas (less than 500,000) will see delays of up to 25 hours each year.
- In 2003, the wasted time and fuel due to congestion cost the U.S. population $63.1 billion. This translates to nearly $800 per traveler and 2.3 billion gallons of fuel!
They also mention some interesting ideas for improvements, including my personal favorite - telecommuting. Life is indeed much nicer when you can stay in the comfort of your home office and do your job, without having to add the 2 hours of planning time to account for your commute!
Labels: Politics, traffic
Dear Drivers: The Highway is a One-Way Road
My friend encountered some tollbooth ridiculousness on Sunday morning. He was coming into the city via the NW Tollway and a driver had accidentally gone into the IPASS lanes when he didn't have an IPASS. So, this driver's reaction? What any rational person would do - throw it in reverse and back up down the highway!
Now, Mister Reverse on the Highway, if you're reading the Reverse Commuter, I'll give you a link:
Illinois Tollway Toll Violations.
You can pay your accidental violations online with a convenient form. Isn't that easier than looking over your shoulder while driving?
Labels: NW Tollway, traffic
Moving Beyond Congestion
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has begun a very public call for feedback on their new website,
movingbeyondcongestion.org. The organizers seem to be committed to trying to solve the problems that are plaguing our area - lack of funding for public transportation and chronic congestion on our roads. They estimate that congestion costs the public more than
$4.2 BILLION a year! As I
speculated earlier, I knew the cost was high - but that's ridiculously high!
It is in the best interests of everybody - not only economically, but emotionally, to have a better transit system. Highways are only a part of the overall strategy. I encourage everyone to fill out the
Survey that the RTA is taking of community residents, and let your voice be heard. And also, if you can afford the time away from work, try and attend one of their
public meetings to really speak to them.
Labels: Politics, traffic
Snow + Ice + Semi Truck + Rush Hour = Bad News
This morning, a semi truck jacknifed his way across the barrier on the Eisenhower - and blocked the two left lanes of traffic on both the inbound and outbound sides. Ridiculous! Delays of well over an hour were reported. No injuries, just angry commuters!
Labels: Eisenhower, traffic
