Originally Posted by dynosor  If you want to mandate changes to save fuel, start with synchronizing traffic signals to maintain flow on main roads. Instead of bowing in awe to the mighty Pruis and its regenerative braking, keep traffic flowing at all costs to minimize the need for braking. That includes training drivers to read traffic and anticipate temporary hold-ups, instead of charging into situations where they have to make significant speed adjustments. |
I've thought of this as well. We have one round-about just recently finished in a rural area that was a traffic nightmare stop light. There is no more 2 mile long line bottle necks at that intersection around 5pm. So much for me being skeptical of the idea at first. I love it!
Another stretch of road on my commute has 5 lights in maybe 3/4 mile. These are timed lights, not on demand and hardly ever stay synchronized. If anything, I think these help regulate the flow to major intersections, but damn annoying to be stopped at a every red light waiting for a NO CROSS TRAFFIC cycles.
What still gets me is our Metro Bus system and the officials that want mass transit as the only form of commuting. Not only is it a 1 tail pipe money pit with 3 riders plus the driver that will take 2hrs+ to go 20 miles. It is holding up 20 tailpipes behind it. Most of the polution out these pipes is at idle......waiting for a lame capacity bus with supreme right-of-way, to get the hell out of the way so traffic can flow. That is a hidden cost in wasted fuel on top of the tax supported social service that cannot survive on its own fares.
DC