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MediocreDriver t1_j6efzml wrote

Reply to comment by ImmobilizedbyCheese in Student death sparks conversation on pedestrian safety at VCU by CrassostreaVirginica

The average weekday traffic on that stretch of Main is 17,000 vehicles, and it’s 35,000 on Cary (which is 10,000 more vehicles per day than 195 going east). Closing off Main to commuters and rerouting them via a two-way Cary would create a lot of problems. I agree something has to be done, but that is not the solution.

Richmond and VCU need to really work together on traffic measures to make it safer for students. I suggest that they communicate with other college towns that successfully make it safer to travel around their campuses and find what infrastructure and measures work best for the VCU area. I think they can learn a lot from those who have a good thing going for pedestrians and cyclists.

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Chickenmoons t1_j6eowsn wrote

There is an interstate a few blocks South and not even a mile North of this road. Not to mention Broad st. Which is an actual primary road.

There’s no reason Main and Cary need to serve as thoroughfares to convey traffic from downtown to the west end. Close both, Cary at the end of Carytown and Main through VCU to disrupt existing traffic patterns that are redundant and dangerous while making the two primary pedestrian districts of the city safer and more enjoyable for all.

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ImmobilizedbyCheese t1_j6etsk6 wrote

Not every driver on Main/Cary is using them to get end to end though. Lots of businesses that are patronized and get deliveries. I usually opt for the highway to go farther even if it means tolls but I know that dissaudes some drivers.

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Chickenmoons t1_j6ewogn wrote

The existence of businesses doesn’t require Main or Cary to be through streets. Side streets also exist as do alternate parallel streets. Just consider how much quieter and nicer streets like Hanover are and not coincidentally it doesn’t connect across 195 or across the Boulevard.

I swear people act like any minor prospect of change will cause the end of Richmond.

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ImmobilizedbyCheese t1_j6f4g74 wrote

Not saying it would end Richmond. Just trying to evaluate the pros and cons and repercussions.

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elizinrva t1_j6ew6z2 wrote

Not everybody drives on the interstate

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Chickenmoons t1_j6ex7u2 wrote

Cumberland, Idlewood, Grace, Broad, Leigh. Am I taking crazy pills here? Why would anyone choose the roads that are clogged with pedestrians and traffic?

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bettygreatwhite t1_j6ezywx wrote

Cumberland has long been my default going west. Less traffic, pedestrians, etc. If I’m not specifically going somewhere on Main, I’ll take it up to Robinson and then get on whichever road makes sense for where I’m headed.

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ImmobilizedbyCheese t1_j6egpcc wrote

The response I got about traffic volumes was that Cumberland could be used instead. Granted this discourse is limited to r/VCU and Twitter so this is likely not a majority opinion. Just like the tweet that blamed traffic engineers for making it possible for people to drive fast and distracted.

I do recognize that as a car driver, we automatically default to inconveniencing autos least. In a perfect world we'd all be biking. I know I'm terrified of riding a bike though, but might do it in a place where bikes and peds were favored over cars.

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MediocreDriver t1_j6eseic wrote

Using Cumberland is an interesting idea but that would likely just heavily jam up the stretch of Harrison between Cumberland and and Main, or Meadow between Parkwood and Main. It’s not an easy fix.

Here’s why: Parkwood (which Cumberland turns into west of Harrison) is single lane so people would default to heading to Main to either hit up any businesses on Main or as through traffic through the fan. The other option is to take Parkwood to Meadow. And anybody who uses Meadow regularly knows that turning left into Main can be impossible at times due to current traffic volumes and thus it would also jam up. If folks use Parkwood for through traffic, then the 4-way stop intersection at Randolph will likely become dangerous and they’ll need to install a raised crosswalk there to slow things down (only if less than 9,000 vehicles use that stretch) or they’ll need to put a light there. The alternative to taking Parkwood would be Main from Harrison, and you can go a lot faster on Main (which people undoubtedly do and will continue to do unless other traffic measures are implemented).

I’m also curious if Parkwood and Harrison can handle the trucks and increased car traffic that would be rerouted from Main. I think Parkwood could be a serious challenge due to the narrowness of the street, the bump out curbs at Harrison and Randolph, the curves after Fifth Baptist, and possibly the right turn onto Meadow. In fact, these factors are likely an issue for car traffic, as well. Parkwood was not engineered to handle a high volume of traffic and won’t be able to unless lots of changes are made. The side streets towards Cary and Main weren’t meant to handle a higher volume, either.

Edit: for clarity

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MediocreDriver t1_j6esprv wrote

Regardless of what happens, VCU needs to step up and engage with Richmond City to diligently work on this. I think a committee/task force made up of area residents and students should also be included to keep both governmental entities engaged and held accountable.

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