Dennis, I took a video and timed this signal back in March 2018, and at
that time, I counted a total of 20 seconds of walk phase. It was plain
white for the first 5 seconds, then the red countdown phase started from
15. Not enough time, IMO. I walked at a leisurely pace and would have just
made it, except ironically I was delayed for a few seconds to wait for a
left-turning car that I wasn't sure was going to stop. (An excellent
example of the problem!)
I don't know if people without Facebook can see this video, but give it a
try. I also typed a bunch of notes in the comments.
https://www.facebook.com/john.brooking.4/videos/1916261885065346/
On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 6:13 PM Dennis Marrotte <
dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
John, Thank You for your response.
I 2nd John's Thanks to Eric and Crew for the new Crosswalk Signals at Main
and Stroudwater Streets.
On the Scenario I saw at the Hannaford's Exit today, I personally did not
see the Pedestrians activate the Controls to Stop E and W Traffic on WCD
but I did see the Exit Lights go to Red as I came up on the R/ H Left Turn
Exit Lane and stopped. The 3 vehicles in the L/H Left Turn Exit Lane
prevented me from seeing the 2 Pedestrians until we got the Green Left Turn
Arrows. Those 3 Vehicles pulled out and that was when I saw the Pedestrians
stop on the Median cutout. All 4 lanes of WCD E and W bound Traffic were
Stopped. So, my assumption is that the PEDESTRIANS activated the Crosswalk
Controls to Stop the WCD Traffic so they could cross the WCD.
Another Question I have, for Eric.
What is the Time Delay in Seconds for Walking across WCD at the
Hannaford's Drive once a Pedestrian pushes the Crosswalk Control Push
button ? If they stop on the Median Strip for Left Turn Exiting Traffic,
depending on how many Vehicles are turning Left, the Clock is counting down
which reduces the time remaining to cross the other 2 Lanes of WCD traffic
E or W bound . When that traffic gets a Green Light, the Pedestrian/s "
Safety Island " is the Median Cutout . Correct ?
Thank You,
Dennis
On Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 5:46 PM John Brooking <johnbrooking4@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Presuming that the pedestrian crossing signal was indicating okay to
cross, I'm pretty sure that the pedestrians are supposed to have the right
of way, although I'm not finding statute on that. (The statute
<http://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2056.html> about
yielding to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk or showing visible intent to
enter technically only applies "when traffic control devices are not in
operation". Presumably when they are, the controls are supposed to dictate
right of way. But in this scenario, both pedestrians and motorists receive
what they consider to be a "good to go" signal.)
*Erik*, if the City now has the final DOT recommendations on this and
the other Pedestrian Forum priority locations, is there any way that a
public meeting can be held virtually, to avoid further delay in responding
to this ongoing concern?
P.S. We appreciate the new pedestrian signal at Stroudwater and Main!
Thank you!!
On Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 4:00 PM Dennis Marrotte <
dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Good Afternoon: At 3:30 PM today,
I was waiting first in line in the R/ H lane of the 2 Left Turn Exiting
Lanes for Westbrook's Hannaford's Store.
In the L/ H lane of the 2 Left Turn Exiting Lanes were 3 Vehicles also
waiting. As the Green Left Turn Lane Arrows came on, the 3 Vehicles to my
left started out to WCD . That was when I saw 2 PEDESTRIANS, a late Teens
boy and girl crossing the two East WCD Lanes. When they looked to their
Right and saw three vehicles coming toward them turning L, they stopped and
hesitated on the Median cutout. There was nobody behind me. Those 3 Left
turning Vehicle Drivers never stopped. The rear most driver hesitated but
kept on going. I Stopped in the middle of my Turn and seeing No more
vehicles behind me or to my Left, motioned with my Left Hand outside my
opened Driver's Window for the two PEDESTRIANS to finish walking across the
2 Westbound lanes of WCD.
All this time the East and Westbound Lanes on WCD were all Stopped with
Red Lights. I made my decision because I knew that Traffic would see Green
Lights pretty quick.
My $64 Question: In this Scenario: WHO had the Right of Way and Who is
supposed to YIELD ?
Thank You
Dennis Marrotte
Vice Chair: WSMAC
