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Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 1:42am.
I recently read a series of emails concerning pollution and waste relating to idling cars and trucks. A vehicle that is stopped and waiting in line at a fast food restaurant drive through, or at a traffic signal, continues to emit exhaust even though the engine is not working to move the vehicle. We have problems with pollution (in re: global warming) and gas consumption (in re: foreign wars of aggression over oil resources.) Recently I returned from a jog; my route had taken me through downtown Olympia. When I got home I realized that I smelled like automobile exhaust. I was kind of grossed out. I also depend on my bicycle for much of my transportation needs. I don't like breathing automobile exhaust while I am out, and I don't like smelling like it after being out. Reducing the amount of exhaust in the air seems like a good idea to me. Anyway, I was reading this discussion. Former mayor Bob Jacobs had once proposed to turn the city stop lights to blinking yellow status during off hours. I have noticed that the Adams Street and 4th Avenue stop light seems to be passively blinking yellow all the time recently. Does changing the traffic signals to a passive blinking status during non-rush hours make sense to you?
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Sure Does
Submitted by Ehver Green on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 1:53am.Also, any lights that don't have sensors, as opposed to timers, should be switched over.
I once saw a plan for a vacuum-like void where exhaust would generally be generated at drive-thru's. It was a futuristic article not something I think has ever been developed and tested.
I like the roundabouts for lots of reasons
Submitted by Mike on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 8:42am.One is the promotion of cooperation as we all slow down a little bit and make room for each other. Another reason is that a steadily moving, cooperative roundabout probably means fewer cars sitting idling, burning fuel, emitting greenhouse gases for no reason. I think they are a brilliant bit of urban planning.
The other option can be experienced at the MP 79 (think it is 79?) Chamber Way exit off I5 at Chehalis. I think there are 5 stop lights immediately off that exit. It's the stupidest bit of urban planning imaginable. We used to have an exit there that spilled easily onto Airport Road and kept traffic moving. Now we have numerous stop lights that enable a person to scan the Applebee's, the new drug store, the Walmart Superstore, Home Depot as they sit on the filled wetlands waiting for the next flood.
Downtown lights switch to blinking yellow at a certain time
Submitted by Norm on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 7:47pm.switch to blinking
Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 10:26am.Yes you're right. I should have included that in the original post. The lights do switch to blinking during the night. I think they change over sometime around 10 or 11 too.
What I have been hearing is that people want to extend the hours when they are blinking. There are times in the mid-afternoon for example, when traffic is relatively light and crossing the main thoroughfares would not be difficult if the signals were left to blink.