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super_jeenyus t1_izyggq5 wrote

Maybe they need to start installing those height restriction warning bars at each entrance ramp like the ones you see before low train bridges and overpasses on local streets

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BobbyRobertson t1_izyvdv9 wrote

I think the problem there would be maintenance vehicles. The Merrit legally has oversized trucks on it all the time, they're just doing maintenance, turning around and getting off rather than traveling til they break a 100 year old overpass

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super_jeenyus t1_izzi6j8 wrote

Maybe make them like gates and the DOT has the keys to get through?

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ProudChoferesClaseB t1_j02tod0 wrote

there are turnpike certified trucks... better, higher-visibility signage for truck drivers would be a great start. remember a lot of them are from the former soviet union or latin america, and english language requirements in trucking are not well enforced, so that signage MUST use easily understandable and recognizable icons, not the 8pt paragraphs referencing obscure laws that some workzones like to use...

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ChrisIsWorking t1_izxnk3i wrote

The Sign Is Right There

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Prize-Hedgehog t1_izxpisc wrote

Not excusing the driver’s stupidity but it would be nice if the new bolder sign wasn’t blocked by the old one and a tree branch.

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IntotheDeadlights t1_izyfdm8 wrote

On Black Friday I saw an 18 wheeler cruising down the Merritt Soutbound in the North Haven area headed towards Milford. Passed under multiple low bridges with what looked liked inches to spare and was easily going 70MPH. Didn't even seem to care. Either they knew they would fit under the bridges or were completely oblivious. Thought for sure I was going to see a horrible accident but they got off at the I-95 connector.

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mynameisnotshamus OP t1_izz941s wrote

That’s scary. Knowing your day might now be sitting in traffic if the truck doesn’t make it. Glad it worked out!

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sagetraveler t1_izybnwl wrote

Somebody’s possessions are on that truck. I feel sorry for them. Damage is about to occur.

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77kloklo77 t1_izykeev wrote

Having just moved long distance, I agree. That really sucks for somebody.

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malcolmfairmount t1_izynsja wrote

I watched a trailer drag itself under a Merritt bridge on Sunday. Was about 50 yards behind it, saw sparks fly and the trailer pop out from the other side like a buoy out of water.

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Hionhelium87 t1_izxqr3c wrote

There was one between exits 34 and 35 Northbound last Tuesday morning too. How effin dumb are these people?

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CaseyGamer64YT t1_izxt550 wrote

semi driver not going onto the Merit challenge (Impossible 100% fail)

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classicrock40 t1_izye66i wrote

I know this is south, but I found out a few years ago a semi truck can get on at the Milford connector and go North all the way to the exit before the tunnel. I tried to warn him and then just tried to stay ahead because I didn't want to get stuck behind him for hours.

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ascii_genitalia t1_izzoi2u wrote

Amazing. I drove behind this very truck from Ridgefield through Weston at 11:15am. It was driving slow AF and backing up everything massively.

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ocdmerlot t1_izy23ik wrote

I wonder how much the fine is for something like that.

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strong_heart27 t1_izyjwc7 wrote

I saw two coach buses on the Merritt a couple of days ago too

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premiumcaulk t1_izygz7k wrote

Hope he enjoyed having a job while it lasted

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LFCReds8 t1_izyo8yg wrote

Seems like it doesn’t matter these days. I saw a boat on the Merritt on Saturday.

(I know an 18-wheeler is significantly worse and more damaging, but you get it.)

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mynameisnotshamus OP t1_izz8qor wrote

Lots of boats on the Merritt. Crazy

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LFCReds8 t1_izz97lb wrote

And the amount of u-hauls with trailers these days. It’s nuts.

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Jackers83 t1_izztcxr wrote

No trailers whatsoever huh?? I don’t travel on the Merritt very much.

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buried_lede t1_izyypbk wrote

Mom told him but he had to find out for himself

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1mJustALurk3r t1_izzcv0g wrote

A few months back I came up behind a massive motor-home tooling down the Merritt like it was a sightseeing drive. Tried beeping at the driver, then just noped them into my rear view mirror before a bridge came up.

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cyainanotherlifebro t1_j01j4fm wrote

What’s crazy is that not some random asshole in rented a Penske, that driver has a cdl. They should know better.

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EJWP t1_j01pt91 wrote

My Milford friend & I share text pics - kinda like a contest - of illegals in Merritt. This would have won. The current winner is a landscape dump truck pulling a ramp trailer with a BOAT trailer behind it!

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mynameisnotshamus OP t1_j01x5ck wrote

Are you saying 2 trailers pulled by a dump? Damn.

I posted one of a trailer pulling an airplane ( I initially thought it was a helicopter).

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gatogrande t1_izxppt1 wrote

GPS. OTOH, he was going in the correct direction

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gatogrande t1_izz6oce wrote

Must be a day for it...2, TWO pulled over in Wallngford 230

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ocdmerlot t1_j04dxih wrote

And I also guess any repairs that need to be made to the bridge but I'm just speculating

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ocdmerlot t1_j04efgy wrote

I guess it's 500 dollars if you stop before the bridge and don't hit it I seen these guys on the parkway a lot over the years the parkway gets so jammed up without them they just had that element of Chaos

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ViperGTS_MRE t1_j01rmaf wrote

This is an everyday thing. He will figure it out when he shreds his trailer on a bridge.

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ocdmerlot t1_j04btdz wrote

I looked up how much the fine in Connecticut would be for getting stuck under a bridge on the parkway with a commercial vehicle it's 500 dollars also the boss may also fire your ass the embarrassment is not the only consequence

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CT_Patriot t1_izxoazx wrote

Really? Come on....driver must be following some GPS that does not warn of no commercial trucks etc.

Or just plain stupid!

Signs? What signs? I'm sure he'll say to trooper.🙄

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netscorer1 t1_izy5ucq wrote

I put a blame on GPS. In this day and age to not have a truck option on Google Maps or Apple Maps is just plain stupid. Yes, there are commercial GPS units that have proper routing, but most truck drivers I know still rely on their smartphones most of the time due to convenience, better traffic reporting and just smarter routing in general. If the driver is not local, he may not be aware of ‘parkways’ and not pay close attention to the signs that he does not expect to see.

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BronzedAppleFritter t1_izyaq3b wrote

The blame should be on the people getting paid to drive who don't pay attention to the posted signs and don't know the rules of the major roads they plan to drive on. It's their fault if they're relying on a smartphone app to share perfect instructions for their truck, if that app isn't designed to address limitations for trucks.

A professional driver should be paying extra close attention to road signs in an area they're not familiar with.

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netscorer1 t1_izyg7mu wrote

First of all, it does not matter if you are ‘pro’ or just a soccer mom. On the road you have the responsibility to read all the signs. Second, no driver has time to read the entire multi-line sign (15 fricking lines of text on that board that you have to absorb in a split second you have to look at it). Third, what is the first thing that you are trained to pay attention to? - orange or red signs as they show caution or restriction. Not white informational signs that usually have no meaningful information to you as a driver. On the board we see one orange sign that says that there is a construction ahead. And this is what you would probably see if you just glanced at the sign while preparing to merge into highway traffic. Fourth, there are well established studies that show that drivers can absorb much easier iconographic signs, rather then texts. You know, like a picture of an actual truck crossed with a red line. And in most of the world you are expecting to see exactly those kind of signs, but because most drivers in US are too lazy or stupid that they can’t learn iconographic signs, you have to spell it all out for these bums. Fifth, restricted highways are really rare in US. Most drivers that do not live in North East are not familiar with them and so have no expectation to look for them. And lastly, if Google Maps app would have truck setting, the driver would not have to be put in this situation at all.

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BronzedAppleFritter t1_izyk5fq wrote

I have no trouble reading entire multi-line signs as a commuter. If they can't read a couple dozen words fast enough, that's their and/or their company's fault for being/hiring such a slow reader when they absolutely need to read the signs. They're getting paid to pay attention to that stuff.

Google Maps isn't beholden to truck drivers. They're not paying for a truck feature with additional info. These drivers have the option to use the right tools, look up the rules of the major roads they're going to drive on, etc. Especially if they're not familiar with them. It's part of the job.

I think we're actually agreeing on most of this. I just don't think it makes sense to say "this is Google Maps' fault" when Google doesn't market Maps a tool for 100% compliance with road restrictions for commercial trucks. The drivers are making bad decisions in a professional capacity. It's their fault, not the free app designed for people with regular cars.

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netscorer1 t1_izylvi6 wrote

One more thing - I talked to a truck driver about GPS units (not on this specific topic, but in general) and he mentioned that many commercial GPS units are not well suited when pickup or delivery needs to take place at private residence. They are mostly designed for truckers who move containers from warehouse to warehouse. As this driver is a home mover, he might have been previously discouraged to use commercial GPS unit because of that limitation. As for Google (an other popular GPS apps to some degree), I agree to disagree. Having built-in truck mode is not that difficult and there is no excuse that they ignore one of the largest driving communities on the road for so long.

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BronzedAppleFritter t1_izyrdz9 wrote

It sounds like the drivers or the companies they work for need to be smart enough to switch between the apps. Or plan their route out instead of just relying on GPS in the moment.

I don't understand why you think Google owes that to truck drivers, though. The drivers and their companies don't pay for it and Google doesn't market Maps as a truck GPS app. Google doesn't need any excuses because they're not saying they provide Maps as a service to truck drivers. I think if I was arguing from your perspective, the "excuse" is that Maps is for cars and not commercial trucks.

0

netscorer1 t1_izytc5k wrote

No private company owes anything to anyone, unless they are regulated. But Google derives a shit load of money from built-in advertising on their Google Maps and from the constant tracking of the drivers on the road, so they can push even more ads their way. So, in a sense, they would be smart to actually build a useful truck mode that all truckers would be all too happy to use. As for switching between the apps, I guess you never sat in a commercial truck seat. There is already an overload of information that you need to pay atention to. Commercial truck dashboard resembles much more airplane front panel then your typical Toyota Corolla. To have also multiple GPS units try to talk to you at once and directing into potentially two completely different directions is too much distraction even for a seasoned driver. Again, I have several friends who practically live on the road, driving trucks. And they all use Google Maps, whether it’s right or wrong.

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BronzedAppleFritter t1_izyx28t wrote

It might make sense for Google to do that, but they don't owe it to truck drivers or anyone using a free app. It doesn't benefit Google — it doesn't collect your data or serve you ads — if you don't use it.

Why is it not a problem at all to use one app, but some kind of huge burden, compounded by the all of the info on the dash, to switch between two apps? They don't need to have both active at once.

Yeah I'm not saying they can't use Google Maps. I'm just saying it's part of their job to drive safely and follow the rules of the roads they choose to use. However they want to get there is fine with me. But they're the ones causing the problem when they don't do that, not Google Maps.

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CT_Patriot t1_izyp4ym wrote

There are options in Google, Waze, TomTom to avoid roads that prohibit commercial trucks.

But, as always, how many times have you seen vans, panel trucks, or any truck/SUV etc with commercial plates on the Merritt Parkway?

I guess they feel they can get on, go several exits and get off without being pulled over by state police.

Then the U-Hauls, Hertz, or any "moving" type truck with towing a trailer do you see?

If it's not those, it's landscapers who travel the Merritt with or without trailers.

On a positive note, down near between orealk and Westport the work they are doing to widen the parkway sure helps as opposed to going door handle to door handle widths.😁 👍

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CT_Patriot t1_izyp5u0 wrote

There are options in Google, Waze, TomTom to avoid roads that prohibit commercial trucks.

But, as always, how many times have you seen vans, panel trucks, or any truck/SUV etc with commercial plates on the Merritt Parkway?

I guess they feel they can get on, go several exits and get off without being pulled over by state police.

Then the U-Hauls, Hertz, or any "moving" type truck with towing a trailer do you see?

If it's not those, it's landscapers who travel the Merritt with or without trailers.

On a positive note, down near between Norwalk and Westport the work they are doing to widen the parkway sure helps as opposed to going door handle to door handle widths.😁 👍

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mynameisnotshamus OP t1_izz128w wrote

What are the options in Waze and google?

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CT_Patriot t1_izzcn5i wrote

Google doesn't have this option, I checked Google and "Maps" is for "pleasure vehicles" only.

But, some roads show restricted in Google Maps.

Not sure with Waze.

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mynameisnotshamus OP t1_izzjudr wrote

I had to take a small trailer to NJ a couple years ago and it was not easy knowing where I could and couldn’t be driving in an unknown area using Waze. I was hoping they added something.

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