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Post by baycitydan on Oct 17, 2006 16:04:55 GMT -4
Can you believe that those pink reflector things on the BBridge are actually woking? I can't. I got this from wtop.com -
Pink Panels Appear to Reduce Collisions on Bay Bridge:
STEVENSVILLE, Md. (AP) - The bright pink panels along the eastbound span of the Bay Bridge appear to be helping drivers keep their distance from other vehicles, according to the latest statistics from the Maryland Transportation Authority.
"We are going to continue to study and see what the data shows, but so far it really has worked," said Kelly Melhem, an MdTA spokesman.
There has been a 30 percent reduction in collisions since the installation of the panels, according to the agency.
Last May, the MdTA launched its 2006 summer campaign for easing summer traffic woes with a pilot program called "Pace Your Space."
"Keep your cool and pace your space" was the motto for the program, which asked motorists to use the newly installed pink panels on the span to keep a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them.
"In studying accident patterns we found that 58 percent of accidents on the Bay Bridge were rear end collisions and 70 percent of those were on the eastbound span," said Melhem, with 46 percent of the accidents occurring between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the traditional summer beach season.
There are 102 pink panels in three separate groupings placed at drivers eye level along the eastbound span. Signs just prior to and just after the toll plaza encourage drivers to pay attention to the panels as they travel the Bay Bridge.
Melhem said the panels also may be installed on the westbound span in the future.
The estimated cost of the program is $75,000, including the panels, construction and installation and effectiveness measures, she said.
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Post by bchevy on Oct 17, 2006 18:04:37 GMT -4
That's about the best name I've seen for them!
I saw on another site, the same claim that MDTA is says they are a success, with a 30% reduction in accidents.....
Man that's comical! I drive the bridge a lot, these things are a joke. If anything they create holes in traffic for the speeding nut jobs to cut in and out of. I wouldn't think they've been up long enough to come to ANY conclusion yet, but I wouldn't expect the MDTA to come up with any other conclusion.
It's a shame that the Bay Bridge can't lower it's toll, it obviously has too much money to spend.
They also have a HUGE tow truck that maybe comes out twice a year, And I think they still have a contract for towing? They replace their vehicles faster than any other state agency, Have you seen the PHONES on the bridge?? OMG Those are too FUNNY!
Here's a question: IF EZ Pass is available at ALL OPEN TOLL GATES,,,,,
WHY are there ever a closed toll gate??? Hmmm?
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Post by falgar25 on Oct 17, 2006 21:11:37 GMT -4
The MdTA implements a program then the MdTA produces a study that shows the MdTA plan works. Imagine that!
If 58% of accidents were rear end collisions, what were the others?
I've driven that bridge every day for seven years and I think I've seen one accident and heard about three others. That certainly doesn't prove that accidents don't happen, but can there be that many if I've only seen one accident in over 3500 trips?
$75K for pink panel thingies that most people ignore anyway? There's got to be a better use for toll money!
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Post by mikey on Oct 18, 2006 8:58:06 GMT -4
"I've driven that bridge every day for seven years and I think I've seen one accident and heard about three others."
I have a similar experience. I think we are driving during weekday morning and afternoons, when everyone knows what they are doing. The accidents occur when the sight-see'ers are out and people start slowing down to look at the pretty boats.
I havn't noticed a difference in traffic patterns with the "regulars". Maybe those $75,000 pink thingies are having an affect on the weekend traffic.
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Post by matt on Oct 18, 2006 12:08:49 GMT -4
This should be embarrassing to admit, but... has anyone tried to actually keep two of those friggin' spaces between them and the car ahead? Good golly I actually tried - but couldn't - if the bridge was moving at 90, it'd be a comfortable spacing, but at 50 to 75... just too much gap.
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Post by uvrays on Oct 19, 2006 12:48:17 GMT -4
I just wish they would have posted "Slower Traffic and Sightseers Keep Right" signs.
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Post by ljp on Oct 19, 2006 18:11:53 GMT -4
I am with you uvrays...Every summer it seems I get stuck behind some minivan with bikes on the back stopping, literally stopping at the top span to take pictures of sailboats. It is unbelievable!
I have been involved in 2 accidents within the last 3 years at the beginning part of the span. For some reason people are rushing and rushing to get through the tolls and then jockeying for space once all of the lanes come together. Then all of the sudden they stop. Slamming on their brakes ( you people know what I am talking about). I hit my brakes and those behind me hit me. 2wce.
I have been stuck behind many many other accidents caused by exactly the same thing. For some reason it seems that these little pink thingies are getting people to remember that keeping distances between you and the one in front of you, keep those accidents from happening.
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Post by falgar25 on Oct 20, 2006 5:17:15 GMT -4
ljp: From your experience, is mikey right? Is it that the "regulars" that travel at the same time I do are less prone to the sightseeing accidents than the "tourists"? I've gone across the bridge plenty of times on the weekend but the majority of my travelling is during the regular commute hours. Maybe you're seeing a different group of people than I am.
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Post by ljp on Oct 25, 2006 20:04:57 GMT -4
I dunno what time of day Mikey travels the bridge but I need to start following him! now, keep in mind I haven't driven the bridge during rush hour regularly since the winter only on occasion now, but when I did it was always commuters. Accidents on Tuesday, Wednesday and a lot on Thursdays (which thursdays in the summer, yes could be attributed to boat watchers). I don' t have any statistical info to back this up it is just what I remember having experienced. I remember last summer and the summer before seeing fender benders every other day during the week in the afternoon,.
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newbie
First Time Poster
Posts: 0
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Post by newbie on Oct 28, 2006 18:21:15 GMT -4
they seem to be gone now. did they blow off?
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Post by andrewd on Oct 30, 2006 10:57:31 GMT -4
I noticed that today too. the first mile of the eastbound spand only has 1 or 2, then a few in the middle, and a bit more towards the end. Way to go MTA, that's $70,000.00 well spent.
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Post by BlueMule on Nov 1, 2006 7:50:29 GMT -4
They must have had spares cuz there's just as many there now as anytime before.
Anyone notice the black lines spray-painted in the right lane east-bound? If memory serves, they start after the curve and are perpendicular to the barrier. They're about 5-6 feet apart and stick out into the lane around 4 feet.
How about the cable on the right barrier too? A lot of activity on that old sucker. They must have a budget surplus to burn up before the FY ends.
EDIT: Before I get yelled at for looking at other crap instead of driving and watching out for the other guy, it's easy to notice this stuff when people are doing 15 mph using the pink thingies pacing their space. ;D
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Post by bchevy on Nov 1, 2006 14:23:39 GMT -4
Yeah, more there now than ever, I guess they took them down for cleaning, waxing, inventory, and reproduction?
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Post by Mike on Nov 2, 2006 17:53:47 GMT -4
That black cable made me wonder how many idiots called the police sayiing "OMG THERE IS A BOMB, TERRORISTS"
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Post by STINK on Nov 2, 2006 21:01:10 GMT -4
So you'd rather people see a bomb and not call it in?
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Post by BlueMule on Nov 4, 2006 10:34:14 GMT -4
So you'd rather people see a bomb and not call it in? No, but thousands of crack-pot calls by paranoid folks tend to lull the guys checking things out into a sence of security. When the real thing happens, whose to blame?
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Post by Mike on Nov 4, 2006 11:00:14 GMT -4
exactly bluemule
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Post by shadow1 on Nov 4, 2006 11:44:12 GMT -4
We all know that "terrorists" have all day to run cable across the bridge without bringing attention to themselves.
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Post by Mike on Nov 4, 2006 19:59:39 GMT -4
Shadow1, you are the best.. well done
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Post by STINK on Nov 4, 2006 20:44:35 GMT -4
OK, VALID POINTS.
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