collisions I've seen over the past week on the parkways - only one other was covered here. maybe they should install more crosswalks and make them raised - at least then maybe people might start approaching the actual speed limit.
Many parkways have become essential transportation routes. They have not been destinations for scenic leisure drives for a very long time. As vital, multilane roads, they need to be modernized from 1935 to the lane widths and perhaps median barriers of a major arterial. Jersey barriers similar to those on Rt. 2 in Lincoln would prevent nearly all of the horrific head on collisions, besides bone head u turn attempts.
and therefore should be left alone. Any attempt to 'modernize' it would damage the parkland and degrade people's experience using it.
As for Route 2 in Lincoln, that Jersey barrier is an abomination and should be removed! It cuts off pedestrian and bicycle circulation from one side of the town to the other. At the very least, crosswalks and left-turn lanes should be added at all intersections.
By Pun based on Boston culture... on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 4:58am.
Route Two in Lincoln runs through largely unpopulated woods. Jamaicaway runs along a dense residential neighborhood. Even if there wasn't a park on the other side of the street, you can't really sustain that much traffic flow. What would be the really modern thing to do would be to encourage traffic calming.
No. This is a dense residential and historic area, as well as the site of local ball fields and a natural parkland, not a highway through an undeveloped stretch of the suburbs. Feel rushed in the JWay traffic? Then leave home 15 minutes earlier.
Don't like that? Then change your route or take the T.
Just the opposite. Wider lanes would encourage even faster speeds. Traffic is generally slower when I'm on the road because I drive at or slightly higher than the speed limit. People tailgate me like madmen, but they can't drive through me.
this runs along the emerald necklace - one side is multi million $ mansions and high-end real estate and the other side is internationally famous Olmstead-designed parkland - it is a MAJOR destination for the city. It's also one of the main bike corridors for the city (around 2,000 bikes during peak travel time). Almost all of the traffic is local.
I both bike and drive through there daily - the major back-ups on the parkways are usually at longwood and brookline ave - mostly because people block the intersections. at brookline, it clears better whenever the ped signals are part of the cycle. during heavy traffic days if I'm driving, my average speed through there is probably around 10 mph - but people race 20+ mph over the speed limit between lights for no good reason. traffic calming would drastically improve the flow and reduce accidents.
I drive this stretch of the Arborway/Jway daily and it is hair raising. Lanes far too tight, super large vehicles that make it difficult to stay in one lane, especially on some of the turns and most drivers going at least 40 mph or more. I have seen many accidents, and most recently had one, trying to get off the rotary. I almost always stay in the right lane, and travel slower than most other vehicles. U turn clearly a stupid move, but unless you drive this road with great frequency you can definitely feel out of control.
If you see large vehicles on the J way, notify the cops. No kidding. Trucks are banned on the JWay, and trucks driving there illegally have contributed to some nasty accidents through the years.
Glad you stay on the right and try to honor the 25 MPH limit. As far as everyone else goes, I don't care if it's part of anyone's daily commute, the limit is 25 MPH and should be kept. For chrissake, it's a road with a residential area full of children on one side, and a play area on the other.
Yes, if you are driving down a dangerous, winding road, and see a vehicle that's too big on it, you should improve public safety by getting out your cell phone.
I agree with all the other posters who report driving the road slowly. I love the twists and turn in that road, but I think sticking to the speed limit and driving in the right lane is generally the way to go there.
The current one-and-two-thirds-lanes in each direction isn't safe, furthermore, it obstructs the flow of pedestrian traffic between the Emerald Necklace and most of Jamaica Plain. One lane with turning lanes at intersections would probably work better.
I never suggested the JWay was like Rt. 2 in Lincoln. There used to be no barriers on Rt.2 there and ones were added to prevent head on collisions. If Jersey barriers were added to the JWay, they should not be quite so tall since truck traffic is prohibited and high barriers block sight lines.
If you want easy pedestrian access along the Jway, elevate the roadway so pedestrians and bicycles can easily cross at grade with no automobile conflicts! Plan B is to put in pedestrian bridges except we know pedestrians and cyclists are too lazy to use them even for their own safety.
Comments
that make four
collisions I've seen over the past week on the parkways - only one other was covered here. maybe they should install more crosswalks and make them raised - at least then maybe people might start approaching the actual speed limit.
One theory
Maybe the driver had to go P?
or got stung by a B?
he obviously didn't C oncoming traffic very well.
Reality Check
Many parkways have become essential transportation routes. They have not been destinations for scenic leisure drives for a very long time. As vital, multilane roads, they need to be modernized from 1935 to the lane widths and perhaps median barriers of a major arterial. Jersey barriers similar to those on Rt. 2 in Lincoln would prevent nearly all of the horrific head on collisions, besides bone head u turn attempts.
so would following the speed limit
"Jersey barriers similar to those on Rt. 2 in Lincoln would prevent nearly all of the horrific head on collisions,"
So would observing the 25mph speed limit. Or not trying to do an illegal U-turn. U-turns over a double yellow line aren't legal, and never have been.
"As vital, multilane roads, they need to be modernized from 1935 to the lane widths and perhaps median barriers of a major arterial."
The lane widths are appropriate for the speed limit. It's not anyone's fault but reckless drivers that people can't stay within the lanes.
Don't you have a job or something? Family? Life? Why are you so obsessed with transit stuff and such a cyclist hater?
"It's not anyone's fault but
"It's not anyone's fault but reckless drivers that people can't stay within the lanes."
A lot of good that does if I'm driving safely, and someone else leaves their lane and hits me.
It's a road through a park
and therefore should be left alone. Any attempt to 'modernize' it would damage the parkland and degrade people's experience using it.
As for Route 2 in Lincoln, that Jersey barrier is an abomination and should be removed! It cuts off pedestrian and bicycle circulation from one side of the town to the other. At the very least, crosswalks and left-turn lanes should be added at all intersections.
"It cuts off pedestrian and bicycle circulation"
Yup, why else do you think he suggested that???
degrade people's experience
Is that even possible?
Route Two in Lincoln runs
Route Two in Lincoln runs through largely unpopulated woods. Jamaicaway runs along a dense residential neighborhood. Even if there wasn't a park on the other side of the street, you can't really sustain that much traffic flow. What would be the really modern thing to do would be to encourage traffic calming.
No.
No. This is a dense residential and historic area, as well as the site of local ball fields and a natural parkland, not a highway through an undeveloped stretch of the suburbs. Feel rushed in the JWay traffic? Then leave home 15 minutes earlier.
Don't like that? Then change your route or take the T.
Traffic Calming
Just the opposite. Wider lanes would encourage even faster speeds. Traffic is generally slower when I'm on the road because I drive at or slightly higher than the speed limit. People tailgate me like madmen, but they can't drive through me.
WTF?
this runs along the emerald necklace - one side is multi million $ mansions and high-end real estate and the other side is internationally famous Olmstead-designed parkland - it is a MAJOR destination for the city. It's also one of the main bike corridors for the city (around 2,000 bikes during peak travel time). Almost all of the traffic is local.
I both bike and drive through there daily - the major back-ups on the parkways are usually at longwood and brookline ave - mostly because people block the intersections. at brookline, it clears better whenever the ped signals are part of the cycle. during heavy traffic days if I'm driving, my average speed through there is probably around 10 mph - but people race 20+ mph over the speed limit between lights for no good reason. traffic calming would drastically improve the flow and reduce accidents.
You fail
The reality check, that is.
Unless that specific reality you are checking on happens to be in 1982 and in the sixth grade ... which is where you seem to be stuck.
He Couldn't Go Straight Ahead; It Said: "No! You Turn"
.
Death Race 2100 track
I drive this stretch of the Arborway/Jway daily and it is hair raising. Lanes far too tight, super large vehicles that make it difficult to stay in one lane, especially on some of the turns and most drivers going at least 40 mph or more. I have seen many accidents, and most recently had one, trying to get off the rotary. I almost always stay in the right lane, and travel slower than most other vehicles. U turn clearly a stupid move, but unless you drive this road with great frequency you can definitely feel out of control.
If you see large vehicles on
If you see large vehicles on the J way, notify the cops. No kidding. Trucks are banned on the JWay, and trucks driving there illegally have contributed to some nasty accidents through the years.
Glad you stay on the right and try to honor the 25 MPH limit. As far as everyone else goes, I don't care if it's part of anyone's daily commute, the limit is 25 MPH and should be kept. For chrissake, it's a road with a residential area full of children on one side, and a play area on the other.
I'm sure he's talking about
I'm sure he's talking about large SUVs.
Call it in!
Yes, if you are driving down a dangerous, winding road, and see a vehicle that's too big on it, you should improve public safety by getting out your cell phone.
Driving Rules for my 3 Kids:
No drinking.
No cellphones.
No Jway.
JWay is insane-o.
JWay is insane-o.
I agree with all the other posters who report driving the road slowly. I love the twists and turn in that road, but I think sticking to the speed limit and driving in the right lane is generally the way to go there.
Jamaica Way would be fine....
... if they made it into a one-lane road -- and ruthlessly enforced the speed limit.
That would work. Or if they
That would work. Or if they made it one-way, and had returning traffic on the other side of the pond/river.
Oh yeah. Brookline
would really go for that.
Agreed
The current one-and-two-thirds-lanes in each direction isn't safe, furthermore, it obstructs the flow of pedestrian traffic between the Emerald Necklace and most of Jamaica Plain. One lane with turning lanes at intersections would probably work better.
Jamaicaway as Rt. 2
Any comparison between the Jamaicaway and Rt. 2 in Lincoln is inapposite and totally ridiculous on its face.
That is all.
inapposite and totally
You might as well say, "A post by Mark K".
Installation of Jersey barriers was the example
I never suggested the JWay was like Rt. 2 in Lincoln. There used to be no barriers on Rt.2 there and ones were added to prevent head on collisions. If Jersey barriers were added to the JWay, they should not be quite so tall since truck traffic is prohibited and high barriers block sight lines.
If you want easy pedestrian access along the Jway, elevate the roadway so pedestrians and bicycles can easily cross at grade with no automobile conflicts! Plan B is to put in pedestrian bridges except we know pedestrians and cyclists are too lazy to use them even for their own safety.
1980 called
They want their failed road design concepts back.
Great Idea!
An overpass is just what's needed for the J-Way.
Oh, wait...
Yup
The people who are locomoting themselves to where they want to get are definitely the lazy ones in this equation.