I couldn’t find the right topic for this article, so I am creating a new one. @dtraleigh , feel free to move this if something already exists.
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The “no right on red” has definitely helped several pedestrian friendly areas around the city.
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Agreed; I also really appreciate the LPIs.
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One observation I have about the signage for No Right on Red is that it’s not consistently posted throughout downtown. It’s also not terribly noticeable. I’d prefer for those signs to always be posted on the signal arm next to the traffic signal so that people notice them. I still see folks turning right on red, and part of the problem is that they don’t see the signs.
This is a good one.
This one is not so good.
and this one I don’t even see! Does it even exist?
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Street signage in Raleigh is not the City’s strong point. The only reason why the default speed limit inside the City hasn’t been lowered from 35 to 25 is that the City doesn’t want to spend the money to erect 35 mph signs on the streets that would stay 35. So, instead we have a cumbersome process that lowers individual streets to 25 piecemeal.
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Updated article More pedestrian improvements coming to downtown Raleigh after woman's death :: WRAL.com
I’m curious where the raised crosswalks are happening and the curb extensions.
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Signs are only as effective as their enforcement. Most trips to DTR I never see any cops at all
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Unrealistic (and a poor use of resources) for us to expect police enforcement of “no right turn on red” even if it occurs right in front of them.
Photo enforcement would be my preference.
Vendor it out. City can take a cut of the proceeds but the real beneficial result will be less of the unwanted behavior.
Don’t want your photo taken? Don’t enter the intersection once the traffic signal turns red.
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I’m a huge fan of curb extensions because they reduce the distance to cross a street. They also make pedestrians more visible to drivers. I’d also offer that they can be a tool to manage no turning right on red. That is to say that we don’t really need dedicated right turn lanes on many streets downtown if you can’t turn right on red. If you pair a dedicated turn lane with no right on red, you are practically inviting folks to break the law.
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I posted it in another chat but the city is building 13 raised or enhanced crossings across the city. Edit:
This is a part of their second phase of safety improvements downtown. They plan to add more of these projects in the coming years.
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These are all steps in the right direction. Love to see it.
I would also like to see the city getting more agile with their implementation of quick-build, common sense, pedestrian improvements. These are things that only take a few thousand dollars (at most) and not a lot of time investment either. All who frequent this site know how projects big and small can go through needless rounds of survey’s, planning, etc until. costs balloon and the idea becomes less tenable.
A prime example here is the death of the assistant NC State professor on Clark & Pogue Street. That occurred in November and there has been no concrete actions taken to improve that area (which feels like low-hanging fruit considering its a lower traffic residental street in that section).
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This isn’t exactly downtown, but I noticed the other day that the existing pedestrian crossing of Wake Forest Rd with a median refuge island at Chestnut St was upgraded with a flashing beacon. It used to be just signage, but there is a bus stop right there and I see people crossing frequently so I’m glad it’s been improved.
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Glenwood northbound across Hillsborough is right in front of that tree on the right side.
I see the southbound sign, but I still don’t see the northbound sign
It’s 25 on all streets in downtown proper.
ttps://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article266096031.html
The lightshaven’t been retimed so it hasn’t really taken, though.
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That image is from 2022, if you advance one click in Google maps it updates to 2024 and the signs are up. All four legs of that intersection are NROR.
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Thanks. I see that now, but that’s a horrible location for that NROR sign. I’ll bet that a substantial number of drivers won’t see that sign.
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It is always a good idea to contact our city leaders (city council, bike/pedestrian advisory board and associated staff) with your concerns.
I emailed all of these folks last weekend, expressing my concerns with multiple unsafe crossing conditions across the city.
These are the sites for context:
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The unmarked crosswalks at the intersection of Harrington and Edenton Streets
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Hillsborough and Snow Street T intersection
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The unmarked crosswalk on Oberlin Drive near the UNC Health Urgent Care and Fire Station (sidewalk ends on one side, requiring pedestrians and bicyclists to the cross street)
Key Takeaways:
- I thanked all of the recipients for their effort in making our streets safer by funding/completing 15+ safety improvement projects each year.
- I stated my concerns thoroughly and politely.
- I provided pictures with clear evidence (note: the first picture shows a pedestrian crossing in front of oncoming traffic).
- I provided them with my proposed solution that was a local example [Rapid Flashing Beacons (RFBs)]
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Within 3 week days, I’ve received multiple responses and updates from a staff person.
Latest response:
“Staff are looking into and evaluating the locations of Oberlin-Park and Hillsborough-Snow for potential pedestrian improvements and marked crossings. It will take a few weeks to get this data, so we appreciate your patience”.
“Transportation staff worked with NCDOT, and they have a funded project at the Edenton-Harrington street location. This intersection is planned to be converted to a signalized intersection with crosswalks. NCDOT will need to design and advertise for construction which will likely take 2+ years. Staff will investigate low cost, impactful improvements at this location in the interim until NCDOT can install the signal”.
Send that email, just be respectful!
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This is amazing! Thank you so much for doing this.
I’ve also had very positive responses from contacting the city. A couple years ago I noticed they were putting up those little red benches at the bus stops with no amenities, and I emailed about a location I used often that didn’t have one. They installed it within, I think, about a week.
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