New Haven Independent

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 13, 2008 9:05 AM

I liked this little story. Just showing cops are people to.
Andy seems to be the bargain shopper.

Hmm and great idea on Chapel much needed.

Posted by: nfjanette | February 13, 2008 12:21 PM

Where was New Haven's "Traffic Czar" when this latest traffic insanity was suggested? It is absurd to cut down traffic to one lane in that direction on one of the major streets downtown. I have another suggestion for Mr. Fischer for fixing illegal behavior: it's called police enforcement. I know, I know, it's a strange concept in New Haven, but in other towns and cities, the police do this funny thing called ticketing the crap out of lawbreaking motorists. It discourages - rather than encouraging, like the Traffic Commission just rationalized - motorist from breaking the law.

Posted by: PowertothePeople | February 13, 2008 12:51 PM

Nfjanette, Sometimes, when you look at how people actually use things you realize that the laws just don't make sense. I think they did the right thing this time.

Wow!!! I can't believe I just defended something city government did! :-((

Posted by: JackNH | February 13, 2008 12:58 PM

I couldn't agree more with NFJANETTE. This being New Haven, you know what will happen? Drivers seeking to run "errands" will find these new spaces all filled up, AND WILL STOP IN THE ONE-LANE LEFT OPEN to do their illegal whatever. As I've said before, NOTHING would improve the quality of life more in New Haven than getting to cops to enforce traffic rules. But who am I kidding, I watch police run the stop sign in front of my house all the time (in addtion to the occasional school bus full of kids).

Posted by: Ned | February 13, 2008 2:19 PM

I like the idea of the 15 minute parking on lower Chapel St., otherwise the street seems barren. Upper chapel is two lanes, and that's where the action is - might there be a connection between on street parking and the retail vitality of a street?

Posted by: Ned | February 13, 2008 2:40 PM

Also, could the city have the on street parking restored, on Orange St. @ Court St., in front of the Federal building? The street would really benefit.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 13, 2008 3:19 PM

PowertothePeople I am shocked at you!

I beg to differ on that Nfjanette, I do realize it is a busy street but at this point in time they are stopping on both sides and blocking traffic any way. Now it will only be one side because there is nothing on the other side any more. All the little shops right there may see an increase in business if this is done. To me that is always a good thing. It is not all day parking, just 15 min. also a good thing.

Posted by: nfjanette | February 13, 2008 10:58 PM

t is not all day parking, just 15 min. also a good thing.

Ask yourself this question: if there was no police presence available for traffic enforcement when people were illegally parking in a traffic lane(!), from where will the police enforcement come to ensure the 15 minute parking limit? The answer to parking problems (yes, aside from improving the tragic state of the mass transit system) is not to close off traffic lanes in downtown, but rather to provide more controlled parking in lots or garages.

Posted by: Ned | February 14, 2008 8:39 AM

Nfjanette:
Should there not be on street parking for two (Chapel through Orange to Temple), long downtown blocks, so that people can use Chapel St. as a thoroughfare to get out of downtown as quickly as possible? What kind of street level retail will be successful when there is no parking in sight? Where is the nearest garage? Can someone easily drive around the block to find a space - no. Because of the weird traffic patterns, and unpredictable mix of one-way streets, and lack of easily accessible parking, it's easier to drive elsewhere, than it is to navigate and shop in New Haven.

In many cities around the world, sections of some streets , have been reduced from four lanes to two lanes, with the aim of improving traffic flow - and it works. Slow moving traffic + on street parking (even if you can seemingly never get one of those parking spaces) = good retail, pedestrian and bicycle environment. I'd rather New Haven have a reputation as a good place to walk and a bad place to drive, than the other way around.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 14, 2008 10:48 AM

Ned
You beat me to it. But of course you worded it alot better. How ever I do see your point nfjanette. But if I had a convient pull over spot to run in and out of the shops I may come back to shopping in the downtown area.

......still laugh about the bug thing have to drive by them and scratch my head :)

Posted by: nfjanette | February 14, 2008 4:40 PM

Ned, without you giving specific information on the examples to which you refer, how could one respond?

With respect to the suggestion that the dynamic of reducing four lanes to two lanes improves traffic flow (as defined how?), please note the specific situation at Chapel reduces it to one lane, which is all the difference in the world from two lanes. Why? If anything goes wrong in that lane it's game over for traffic in that direction.

If we consider the same street two blocks further west, we note that there are two travel lanes and two parking lanes as well. Why does that work? Because the traffic flow is one way at that point, so both lanes are available.

Posted by: Ned | February 14, 2008 7:08 PM

"Surprising percentages of merchants reported that increased congestion (41%) and reduced auto speed (46%) were good conditions for business."

Valencia St., in San Francisco, is one street that I have first hand experience with.
See the previous link.

The idea, as I understand it, asserting that fewer lanes can smooth traffic flow, is that on a four lane road, eg. Whalley Ave., there is only one travel lane (per direction), and a left turn lane, at each intersection. Cars do not get stuck behind other cars making left turns, parking is made available on both sides of the street, the narrower street is easier for pedestrians to cross - crosswalks can be added mid block, etc. Without writing a dissertation, I can't cover everypoint, or give a fair hearing to opposing points of view, or data...

Posted by: nfjanette | February 14, 2008 7:58 PM

Ned, you've presented "proof" from a bike/pedestrian advocacy organization - that's hardly objective. The chances of a motorist stuck on Chapel street stopping to make a purchase at one of those stores because traffic is congested or stopped is effectively zero. Please note I'm not against bikers or pedestrians and I believe it's possible to find a rational balance between the needs of different modes of transportation.

As for Whalley Avenue, its configuration varies significantly over the course of its length through the city. Best of all would be a consistent (or mostly consistent) two lanes in each direction with an additional left turn lane at intersections (with a left turn signal - an often missing critical factor at New Have intersections). There is no reason there could not also be parking along the side, although I would think you might like to advocate for a bike lane instead and require off-street parking for merchants when possible. I'm all in favor of improved pedestrian crossing timings; enforcement efforts against red light running would certainly make life safer for pedestrians as well.

The problem with Chapel Street in the two block location being discussed is that there is no more room to widen the street; two lanes in each direction is all we'll get, and the new change in parking will reduce it to one lane with the accompanying potential bottlenecks.

Posted by: Ned | February 15, 2008 10:22 AM

Nfjanette, I'm not trying to "prove" anything. You asked for an example and you got it. Here's a tip, if you don't want to be stuck, in your car, on that particular block of Chapel St., don't drive on it - May I suggest Mr. Ray's Wig World."

Posted by: charlie | February 15, 2008 12:54 PM

Reducing the traffic lanes to one lane there is a fantastic idea that merchants in the area have been lobbying for for years. It will slow and calm traffic, help retail, and make the area much more attractive to pedestrians.

Great work, City!

Posted by: William Doriss | February 18, 2008 9:29 AM

Out-of-towners, undergrads and ingrates are under the impression that Chapel St. is "one-way." Chapel St. is only one-way part-way, as some of have learned the hard way. This particular block has always been a bottleneck. Here's my solution: Change "Chapel" St. to "Apple" St. Who goes to chapel anymore? That's archaic. Privatize it and then sell to Steven Jobs. That way, the neighborhood maybe goes hi-tech, drawing in more jobs--no pun intended--and more congestion to the Elm Disease City.