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A recently released results of survey by the Park Slope Civic Council call for converting two main arteries off the Grand Army Plaza traffic circle from one-way streets to two-way. Despite the addition of traffic lights at previously unsignaled intersections, residents voiced strong opinions about the danger of speeding cars on both Eighth Avenue and Prospect Park West. The consensus from the workshop [pdf] is that much more needs to be done, said Michael Cairl, chair of the Civic Council’s Livable Streets Committee. We know that these proposed changes won’t satisfy everyone, but we’re convinced that restoring two-way traffic flow to Eighth Avenue and Prospect Park West is the best way to … make these streets safer for all users, said Eric McClure of Park Slope Neighbors. Reactions?
Eighth Ave and PPW Should Go Both Ways [Brooklyn Paper]


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. And if, as your analogy suggests, cars, trucks, their occupants and their contents are just so much shit to be flushed, then you’re right. Also, as a frequent cyclist, I strongly disagree with your suggestion that two-way streets are safer for bikes. That hasn’t been my experience at all.

  2. Ah, knew somebody would bring up the twaddle about ‘more efficient’ and ‘process traffic’. Yes, if roads are meant to be car sewers, you’re right. If quality of life and pedestrian environment and cycling safety etc mean anything, NO. Old style traffic engineers have basically one goal…move them cars fast…and cannot being to comprehend psychological and aesthetic factors in designing streets.

    Conflicting movements…such as double parking and potential U-turns?…they also calm traffic as you have watch out for them.

    Signal progression causes motorists to try to game the timing, so even slow signals cause problems. 2-way streets have randomized greens, so they automatically calm traffic.

  3. doldrums – the only thing that is proven by the fact that your neighbros agree with you isthat they ALSO don’t understand how traffic works. PLease stop bringing them up.

    There’s a big flaw in your logic. If PPW is made 2-way then it’s true that the street can be accessed more easily from more streets (like from PPSW). BUT (and this is the important part so pay attention) – the number of lanes going southbound (the current direction) will have to be cut in half in order accomadate these new northbound lanes. Half the southbound lanes means half the southbound traffic. Actually even less than half the southbound traffic b/c southbound traffic will now be moving more slowly since they are now on a 2-way street. So the additional traffic brought to the street bythis new access from PPSW is MORE THAN OFFSET by the reduction in the current traffic. Get it?

    Sparafucile – I agree that 2-way 8th ave is a bad idea. I’m really talking about PPW here, which is a wider street, I believe.