Galway traffic

AndrewJRenko

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

I'm talking about the main traffic junctions surrounding the city, pedestrians are minimal on these and should not be given any priority. City centre streets etc are different where pedestrians would be given more opportunities and places to cross, traffic should be moving slower for safety etc.

Its crazy at places like the Galway shopping centre lights where a single pedestrian crossing adds minutes to the the journey of large numbers of cars, even worse the pedestrian has usually crossed in a natural break in the traffic so there isn't anyone crossing (I see this almost every morning). Junctions like this should have alternative routes for pedestrians like overhead walkways or under passes that don't involve holding traffic lanes.

As long as you keep building motor-dominated infrastructure, you will continue to have 'minimal pedestrians'. If you try building infrastructure that works for pedestrians and cyclists, you will have a lot less people driving with four empty seats around them.

Here's the key point: The more people you can persuade to walk or cycle instead of driving, the more space that is left for the remaining drivers.

I'd suggest a beg button for drivers - green for pedestrians and let drivers stick their hands out and press a button every time they want to get through.

Wombatman

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

As long as you keep building motor-dominated infrastructure, you will continue to have 'minimal pedestrians'. If you try building infrastructure that works for pedestrians and cyclists, you will have a lot less people driving with four empty seats around them.

Here's the key point: The more people you can persuade to walk or cycle instead of driving, the more space that is left for the remaining drivers.

I'd suggest a beg button for drivers - green for pedestrians and let drivers stick their hands out and press a button every time they want to get through.

80k from Galway live in the city.

170k from Galway live outside the city. Do you expect them to walk and cycle along with the people from Mayo and Clare commuting to Galway?

The amount of cars is not a big factor in making the decision to cycle or walk. Most of the people who would walk or cycle are already doing it.

Mrs OBumble

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

As long as you keep building motor-dominated infrastructure, you will continue to have 'minimal pedestrians'. If you try building infrastructure that works for pedestrians and cyclists, you will have a lot less people driving with four empty seats around them.

Minimal pedestrians my-ar$e.

There are not minimal pedestrians on the existing bridge, there won't be on a new one either.

Of course the bridge include footpaths and fully grade-separated cycle lanes. But they should be at road level for passive surveillance. And they need anti-jump design too - actually that is required even if there's not a footpath. I find the latter omission more concerning.

xckjoo

Wombatman wrote: »

80k from Galway live in the city.

170k from Galway live outside the city. Do you expect them to walk and cycle along with the people from Mayo and Clare commuting to Galway?

The amount of cars is not a big factor in making the decision to cycle or walk. Most of the people who would walk or cycle are already doing it.

We're talking about city traffic here. Not people commuting from the county. They have different requirements. The reason the city is so gridlocked is that we're continuously trying to force country solutions on a city. If you live up a boreen in the arse end of nowhere with barely another house in sight then of course you need a car to get anywhere with any kind of efficiency. But if you live in a city with thousands of other people within a stones throw of your house then a car should not be your only option to get around safely and efficiently.

Not sure where you're getting the idea that everyone that would walk or cycle is already doing it because safety concerns are frequently touted as a reason for people not cycling (see cycle bus for example). And lack of walking infrastructure is often given as a reason that people drive to the shops, schools, etc.

Mrs OBumble

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Minimal pedestrians my-ar$e.

There are not minimal pedestrians on the existing bridge, there won't be on a new one either.

Of course the bridge include footpaths and fully grade-separated cycle lanes. But they should be at road level for passive surveillance. And they need anti-jump design too - actually that is required even if there's not a footpath. I find the latter omission more concerning.

The new bridge will not have any pedestrian access at all.

The Muppet

timmyntc wrote: »

The only huge investments needed are to turn all roundabouts in city to signalised junctions. That hardly necessitates a new tax just to fund it.

This . I was down for s few days recently and I couldn't believe the traffic jams. Imo its worse than Dublin. The roundabouts were bedlam.. there was one outside my hotel and it was jammed from morning to night .

JCX BXC

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

Its crazy at places like the Galway shopping centre lights where a single pedestrian crossing adds minutes to the the journey of large numbers of cars, even worse the pedestrian has usually crossed in a natural break in the traffic so there isn't anyone crossing (I see this almost every morning). Junctions like this should have alternative routes for pedestrians like overhead walkways or under passes that don't involve holding traffic lanes.

Have you ever actually looked at how the lights work? The pedestrian lights are made wait on the regular traffic lights. The Bodkin junction is horrible to cross as a pedestrian, even worse if you've to cross two roads. You'd be waiting 10+ minutes to cross from Dun Na Coiribe to the GSC if you waited on the green man every time.

Wombatman

xckjoo wrote: »

We're talking about city traffic here. Not people commuting from the county. They have different requirements. The reason the city is so gridlocked is that we're continuously trying to force country solutions on a city. If you live up a boreen in the arse end of nowhere with barely another house in sight then of course you need a car to get anywhere with any kind of efficiency. But if you live in a city with thousands of other people within a stones throw of your house then a car should not be your only option to get around safely and efficiently.

Not sure where you're getting the idea that everyone that would walk or cycle is already doing it because safety concerns are frequently touted as a reason for people not cycling (see cycle bus for example). And lack of walking infrastructure is often given as a reason that people drive to the shops, schools, etc.

Most of the people stuck in traffic in Galway City are not from Galway City. You get it? It's not about the local boreen or anything.

John_Rambo

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

Getting car traffic through junctions is priority, an odd bus or a few pedestrians are very low priority and should not be having much influence.

Buses, trains, trams (level crossings) or any form of public transport that carries multitudes of people takes priority over private cars. In cities pedestrians rule.

Everywhere, all the time, every time.

John_Rambo

John_Rambo wrote: »

Buses, trains, trams (level crossings) or any form of public transport that carries multitudes of people takes priority over private cars. In cities pedestrians rule.

Everywhere, all the time, every time.

We are not talking about the city centre these are high throughput major junctions. Pedestrians should not be crossing these roads at all, there should be alternate ways like an overpass and if they are crossing they can’t expect priority.

Not many busses use these junctions either.

dubhthach

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

The new bridge will not have any pedestrian access at all.

Exactly it was always planned that the Outer bypass would be Motorway/HQDC from the merge/diverge from the M6 as far as at least the junction with the N59. Western part of route would be 2+2 (Type 2) Dual carriageway.

Given presence of a tunnel just east of the bridge at Lackagh it's highly likely that if road is built that cyclists will be banned from using hard shoulders on the bridge from 1st day of opening.

John_Rambo

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

We are not talking about the city centre these are high throughput major junctions. Pedestrians should not be crossing these roads at all, there should be alternate ways like an overpass and if they are crossing they can’t expect priority.

Not many busses use these junctions either.

Buses should have priority. Any form of public transport that carries multitudes of people should be prioritised above private cars.

Wombatman

John_Rambo wrote: »

Buses should have priority. Any form of public transport that carries multitudes of people should be prioritised above private cars.

I think everyone agrees with this. But how do you implement it? They are trying in Dublin with Bus Connects and you can see what a **** show that's becoming.

2027 for Galway. Wouldn't hold my breath.

Galway BusConnects
Current Status: Galway Transport Strategy 2016 in place, planning and design underway.
Estimated Cost: €200 million
Estimated Completion Date: 2027

Galway BusConnects will deliver a rationalised network of five high-performing cross-city routes. All routes will serve major city centre attractions as well as linking all major destinations across the city. Galway BusConnects will comprise next generation bus lanes, enhanced services, cashless fares and account-based ticketing. As part of this programme delivery, a network of park and ride sites, serviced by the more efficient bus network, will be put in place. Galway BusConnects will also encompass a variety of city centre public realm enhancements, will enhance the overall transport experience and improve the attractiveness of the city centre.

https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/37937/12baa8fe0dcb43a78122fb316dc51277.pdf#page=55

xckjoo

Wombatman wrote: »

Most of the people stuck in traffic in Galway City are not from Galway City. You get it? It's not about the local boreen or anything.

Yes but they're driving into the city. That's the whole point.

AndrewJRenko

Wombatman wrote: »

80k from Galway live in the city.

170k from Galway live outside the city. Do you expect them to walk and cycle along with the people from Mayo and Clare commuting to Galway?

The amount of cars is not a big factor in making the decision to cycle or walk. Most of the people who would walk or cycle are already doing it.

The Eco Eye programme noted that 25% of car journeys are less than 4k, a distance easily walked or cycled.

Ashleigh1986

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

The Eco Eye programme noted that 25% of car journeys are less than 4k, a distance easily walked or cycled.

Ya ... 4km walk or cycle in the weather we have been getting for the month of February is a lot of things .... Easy isn't one of them !!!

dubhthach

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

The Eco Eye programme noted that 25% of car journeys are less than 4k, a distance easily walked or cycled.

What about the other 75% of journey's? Did they give a breakdown of those by distance?

JCX BXC

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

We are not talking about the city centre these are high throughput major junctions. Pedestrians should not be crossing these roads at all, there should be alternate ways like an overpass and if they are crossing they can’t expect priority.

Not many busses use these junctions either.

Okay nox, but these pedestrians aren't actually affecting the traffic at this junction, you do understand this?

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

The Eco Eye programme noted that 25% of car journeys are less than 4k, a distance easily walked or cycled.

Just because it’s possible to walk 4km doesn’t mean it’s in anyway feasible, sensible or practical for a vast array of reasons. The actual number of journeys that walking or cycling would work for would be far lower.

JCX BXC wrote: »

Okay nox, but these pedestrians aren't actually affecting the traffic at this junction, you do understand this?

Yes they do, I sit at the junction almost everyday in a situation that I’d have green if there wasn’t a pedestrian crossing causing the red. That’s just that junction also which was an example.

JCX BXC

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

Yes they do, I sit at the junction almost everyday in a situation that I’d have green if there wasn’t a pedestrian crossing causing the red. That’s just that junction also which was an example.

Can you give me an example of when you'd have a green of it wasn't for the pedestrian crossing at this junction?

The ONLY reds that would be green is the left turn at 2 of the 4 junctions, and they have such a small sliplane that only a shorter green is sufficient.

JCX BXC

JCX BXC wrote: »

Can you give me an example of when you'd have a green of it wasn't for the pedestrian crossing at this junction?

The ONLY reds that would be green is the left turn at 2 of the 4 junctions, and they have such a small sliplane that only a shorter green is sufficient.

The left turns, particularly the one turning left over the bridge should have proper slip roads with permanent flashing amber.

AndrewJRenko

Ashleigh1986 wrote: »

Ya ... 4km walk or cycle in the weather we have been getting for the month of February is a lot of things .... Easy isn't one of them !!!

Is it the deck shoes for yourself as well?

JCX BXC

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

The left turns, particularly the one turning left over the bridge should have proper slip roads with permanent flashing amber.

For what reason? If only 6/7 cars can sit on the slip lane, what's the point in having a green/flashing amber light permanently?

ChewyLouie

JCX BXC wrote: »

For what reason? If only 6/7 cars can sit on the slip lane, what's the point in having a green/flashing amber light permanently?

6 or 7? Sure isn't the cycle lane a feeder queueing lane for that left turn? Seems that way.

JCX BXC

JCX BXC wrote: »

For what reason? If only 6/7 cars can sit on the slip lane, what's the point in having a green/flashing amber light permanently?

The junction was badly designed the cars turning left should have a proper slip lane that diverts them over the bridge without going up to the lights this would then have a flashing amber and you can ether the bridge at all time if there is a break in the traffic with a period of green also where the slip has priority into the bridge.

AndrewJRenko

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Is it the deck shoes for yourself as well?

He lives in the real world unlike you. Walking these distances is totally impractical for most for a whole host of reasons.

Jazmin Harsh Gold

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

He lives in the real world unlike you. Walking these distances is totally impractical for most for a whole host of reasons.

One wonders how the world managed without cars

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

One wonders how the world managed without cars

You can’t be serious with that comment?

You could post a million things we have now that people “survived” without, doesn’t mean we should give them up or that life isn’t vastly better with them on top of the fact the word is a very different place now.

AndrewJRenko

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

He lives in the real world unlike you. Walking these distances is totally impractical for most for a whole host of reasons.

Reasons such as? Other than the deck shoes, that is.

xckjoo

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

The junction was badly designed the cars turning left should have a proper slip lane that diverts them over the bridge without going up to the lights this would then have a flashing amber and you can ether the bridge at all time if there is a break in the traffic with a period of green also where the slip has priority into the bridge.

The driving standards are too poor to allow people use their own judgment anymore. They'd just fly through the junction constantly no matter what traffic was coming against them or if people were trying to cross the road