Traffic Sucks - Here is how to fix it
My commute is an hour each way. Some days, it is an hour and a half, or two, or three. Traffic in this city sucks, no matter how you put it. But, during my drives, I think about the things I see, and think how I could improve upon the situation. So, here are some modifications to the traffic code which I think would vastly improve rush hour traffic in Atlanta.
1) Speed limits should be abolished on Interstate roads. Minimum speeds of 55 miles an hour should be enforced unless congestion prevents it. However, a set of "guide line" speeds should be established for the lanes of the Interstate roadways. Right two lanes should be 55-65 mph, middle lane should be 65-75 mph. Far left lane is unrestricted, as is the HOV lane. Individuals going faster than these speeds in these lanes or going slower than these speeds in these lanes should be ticketed for driving dangerously.
2) All two lane and greater surface roads not running through dense residential or commercial areas should have a speed limit of 55 or higher. All residential areas should be CLEARLY MARKED on the roadways by a change in outer line type (Double White) and all commercial areas should be marked in a similar way.
3) All commercial and government vehicles shall be banned from using Interstate and Major Surface roads within the metro area which are considered high volume roadways during rush hour between the hours of 6am and 9am and 4pm and 7pm. The following exceptions are obvious: Emergency response vehicles, patrolling police, school buses, and those commercial vehicles which are passing through the city without stops. However, commercial vehicles is extended to include personal vehicles which are being used for a commercial purpose, such as a personal pickup hauling lumber or pipe to a job site.
4) All vehicles with more than three passengers under the age of 15 (excluding school buses) shall have one additional individual over the age of 20 for every four more passengers over the limit of four. This individual must be seated so that they may sufficiently oversee the passengers of the vehicle, and not in the front row, so that the driver may be free to drive rather than being distracted by overseeing the passengers.
5) Special Licensing
5A) All drivers who wish to use cellular phones while driving must pass a multitasking exam in order to be qualified. All individuals using the vehicle must have the license in order for it to qualify for a special identification sticker. Else the individual may be pulled over at any time if observed using the cellphone. License may be revoked on site if driver is observed driving in a distracted manner while using the phone.
5B) All drivers who wish to drive a vehicle with any form of truck or SUV frame must pass an exam each year which indicates they are capable of dealing with the slower response time, larger vehicle size, and overall more complex driving style such a vehicle requires. An additional license shall be required for trucks with dual rear tires, and proof of economic need is required to gain such a license.
5C) All drivers wishing to act as carpool drivers for large numbers of children (greater than six) must pass an additional exam noting that they are capable of dealing with the distraction of driving under such conditions. License may be revoked if they are found driving without an additional adult.
5D) All drivers wishing to drive a commercial vehicle larger than a standard car or pickup truck must be certified that they are capable of driving such a vehicle. This includes the distraction of using a GPS system to navigate, the difficulties of the larger or unusual vehicle size, and possibly coworkers in the vehicle.
6) No large commercial vehicles are to be allowed in the Down Town area of any of the metro cities between the hours of 9am and 6pm. This does not include Interstates, and only pertains to surface streets.
7) No commercial vehicle designated as a wide load may use the surface streets or interstate within the metro area between 6am and 8pm. This includes vehicles that are simply passing through the area. Special holding areas shall be constructed on all major interstates for these and other vehicles to allow them a place to wait until evening to operate.
8) Any school bus operating on any Interstate road shall have one adult on board for every ten children under the age of 15, or one adult for every 8 children under the age of 10. This does not include the driver.
9) All major surface streets shall have designated bike lanes added to them.
10) All major surface streets with stop lights shall have left turn arrows added to them and properly integrated into their cycle.
....These are my observations, Take them as you will.
1) Speed limits should be abolished on Interstate roads. Minimum speeds of 55 miles an hour should be enforced unless congestion prevents it. However, a set of "guide line" speeds should be established for the lanes of the Interstate roadways. Right two lanes should be 55-65 mph, middle lane should be 65-75 mph. Far left lane is unrestricted, as is the HOV lane. Individuals going faster than these speeds in these lanes or going slower than these speeds in these lanes should be ticketed for driving dangerously.
2) All two lane and greater surface roads not running through dense residential or commercial areas should have a speed limit of 55 or higher. All residential areas should be CLEARLY MARKED on the roadways by a change in outer line type (Double White) and all commercial areas should be marked in a similar way.
3) All commercial and government vehicles shall be banned from using Interstate and Major Surface roads within the metro area which are considered high volume roadways during rush hour between the hours of 6am and 9am and 4pm and 7pm. The following exceptions are obvious: Emergency response vehicles, patrolling police, school buses, and those commercial vehicles which are passing through the city without stops. However, commercial vehicles is extended to include personal vehicles which are being used for a commercial purpose, such as a personal pickup hauling lumber or pipe to a job site.
4) All vehicles with more than three passengers under the age of 15 (excluding school buses) shall have one additional individual over the age of 20 for every four more passengers over the limit of four. This individual must be seated so that they may sufficiently oversee the passengers of the vehicle, and not in the front row, so that the driver may be free to drive rather than being distracted by overseeing the passengers.
5) Special Licensing
5A) All drivers who wish to use cellular phones while driving must pass a multitasking exam in order to be qualified. All individuals using the vehicle must have the license in order for it to qualify for a special identification sticker. Else the individual may be pulled over at any time if observed using the cellphone. License may be revoked on site if driver is observed driving in a distracted manner while using the phone.
5B) All drivers who wish to drive a vehicle with any form of truck or SUV frame must pass an exam each year which indicates they are capable of dealing with the slower response time, larger vehicle size, and overall more complex driving style such a vehicle requires. An additional license shall be required for trucks with dual rear tires, and proof of economic need is required to gain such a license.
5C) All drivers wishing to act as carpool drivers for large numbers of children (greater than six) must pass an additional exam noting that they are capable of dealing with the distraction of driving under such conditions. License may be revoked if they are found driving without an additional adult.
5D) All drivers wishing to drive a commercial vehicle larger than a standard car or pickup truck must be certified that they are capable of driving such a vehicle. This includes the distraction of using a GPS system to navigate, the difficulties of the larger or unusual vehicle size, and possibly coworkers in the vehicle.
6) No large commercial vehicles are to be allowed in the Down Town area of any of the metro cities between the hours of 9am and 6pm. This does not include Interstates, and only pertains to surface streets.
7) No commercial vehicle designated as a wide load may use the surface streets or interstate within the metro area between 6am and 8pm. This includes vehicles that are simply passing through the area. Special holding areas shall be constructed on all major interstates for these and other vehicles to allow them a place to wait until evening to operate.
8) Any school bus operating on any Interstate road shall have one adult on board for every ten children under the age of 15, or one adult for every 8 children under the age of 10. This does not include the driver.
9) All major surface streets shall have designated bike lanes added to them.
10) All major surface streets with stop lights shall have left turn arrows added to them and properly integrated into their cycle.
....These are my observations, Take them as you will.
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