this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2024
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Solarpunk Urbanism

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A community to discuss solarpunk and other new and alternative urbanisms that seek to break away from our currently ecologically destructive urbanisms.

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[–] [email protected] 35 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm all for wanting to slow down vehicles, but confusing drivers with optical illusions isn't the way.

For safety, infrastructure needs to be consistent and universally applied.

Add an actual speed bump to every crossing if you want to slow vehicles down.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

@Showroom7561 @poVoq Speed bumps are becomming less effective due to the proliferation of off-road spec SUVs and Trucks as the family driver.

I used to live right opposite one and regularly saw these vehicles barrel over it at 3x the speed limit without the slightest hesitation.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (1 children)

@Showroom7561 @poVoq This kind of stuff is a great option to force compliance.

In Japan I saw they put grids of lights down on the ground at road works. The lights move towards the driver in waves creating illusion of them moving much faster which cause them to ease back in accelerator. Genius!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

@milesmcbain @Showroom7561 @poVoq
Locals get used to whatever they encounter regularly. I know which humps are rough & which I can cruise over on my regular route.
Also, distracting drivers as they approach a pedestrian crossing is a really bad idea. This optical illusion will distract drivers from checking for approaching pedestrians.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 weeks ago

That sounds like an inevitable future, if we keep allowing these monster trucks on the road. The areas where we have speed bumps around here seem to be effective (from what I observe), but then it's the people illegally parking in the bike lanes that end up being the real hazard.

Can we just remove cars already?

[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

Am I right in thinking this might screw with any autonomous vehicles that don't rely on LIDAR? (which I think is mainly Tesla at this point?)

[–] [email protected] 36 points 4 weeks ago

I don't think those vehicles need any help screwing up.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

A better way is to actually raise the crossing.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago

and that's just the minimum effort solution, for extra credit add chicaning before the crossing and narrow the crossing itself down to 1 lane to REALLY force people to slow the fuck down.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Now actually make them 3D by using a level crossing

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)
  1. How does it look from the other side?
  2. How long does the effect last in a small fishing village?
[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)
  1. How does it look under snow? :)

It is my personal opinion that a crossing is better emphasized with light from above. Snow cannot cover light.

As for bumps... there are bumps that work right (harm the suspension at speeds above the limit), and then there are bumps that harm the suspension at any speed. Road builders over here cannot seem to get them consistently right.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 weeks ago

Awesome but these would probably be illegal somehow in USA. I would love for some of those on our streets especially near schools.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

My city floated the idea of pothole decals a decade or two ago. It never happened, but it would have been bad. Lots of rear endings predicted.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

My city doesn't need decals for that.