And now, as promised, the bad: There does not seem to be anything to be done about the imminent speed limit increase along Arrow Highway, and it is just plain stupid. This reminds me a lot of the recent bruhaha over the Wilbur Avenue Bike Lanes in which external forces are able to influence local infrastructure over the objections of local residents and officials. Both the city's Transportation Commission and residents of the surrounding neighborhoods have expressed safety concerns over the proposed speed increases. Not only does Arrow bisect a residential area, but it also passes two schools, a Montessori, and a local elementary campus. Never-the-less, because drivers passing through drive at speeds averaging 8 to 10 miles per hour over the posted limit, the state mandates that the existing limit be raised. Honestly, I have never understood this regulation. Not only do I question the State's right to legislate what should clearly be a local matter, but also that drivers who regularly flout the law, should be rewarded for doing so. The City Council does have the final say in the matter but, for all intents, they are obligated to conform to the state law mandating the increase. The issue will be discussed during a meeting in January.
I crossed Arrow last night near College. Harrowing. Just curious; by that rule the speed limit becomes infinite. What's the cap?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I would need to look up the law to be sure, I have read of other examples, and I don't think there is a limit. I believe the theory behind the law was that common sense would prevail and keep people from driving 75 along a street designed for 35, and that would keep the speed from continually increasing. Cities do have some weapons in their arsenal to combat the problem, such as road diets, and other traffic calming measures; and lately some cities have been using those, so who knows maybe we will see something like that along Arrow.
ReplyDeleteIf they are going to enforce the speed limit with radar, they must set the speed limit at the 85th percentile (rounded to the nearest 5mph) based on a speed zone survey taken within the past five years. [note there are other mitigating factors that can be used in the survey]
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