Traffic violations can be dramatically reduced with simple innovations, like longer yellow lights, and reasonable speed limits. This would probably reduce accidents as well.
Unlikely. I suspect that optimal yellow light duration is really a function of typical speed, easy stopping distance from light when the yellow light is discerned, and typical reaction time. If the duration is too short, people go through because they can't safely comply. Too long might chang prevailing behavior, but a bit longer probably wouldn't.
Another factor to consider when setting yellow light timing is the slope of the approach to the intersection, stressed by traffic engineers and greatly affecting stopping distance/time. I found this out meeting with City of Boulder staff regarding the upgrading of 28th and Colorado, the first traffic light when taking US36 into Boulder and Boulder's second busiest intersection (and most complicated with a frontage road alongside; 28th and Arapahoe is the busiest).
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And once everyone becomes habituated to the longer yellow lights...? Wouldn't this be akin to changing law because of changed prevailing behavior?
Unlikely. I suspect that optimal yellow light duration is really a function of typical speed, easy stopping distance from light when the yellow light is discerned, and typical reaction time. If the duration is too short, people go through because they can't safely comply. Too long might chang prevailing behavior, but a bit longer probably wouldn't.
As I posted last week, an increase from 3 to 4 seconds for the yellow decreased camera violations 72% in Mesa, Arizona.
Another factor to consider when setting yellow light timing is the slope of the approach to the intersection, stressed by traffic engineers and greatly affecting stopping distance/time. I found this out meeting with City of Boulder staff regarding the upgrading of 28th and Colorado, the first traffic light when taking US36 into Boulder and Boulder's second busiest intersection (and most complicated with a frontage road alongside; 28th and Arapahoe is the busiest).
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