Description
The intersection of State and Humphrey Street in New Haven is very pedestrian unfriendly. There are several very active businesses and restaurants in the vicinity, additionally the probate and probation building have great pedestrian activity. I cross this intersection back and forth at least three times a day on foot and have seen and experienced many close calls. Typically after pressing the pedestrian pole button it take 2-3 cycles or cars in both directions before the pedestrian crossing is indicated, even if there is little or no vehicle traffic. If there are two or three fellow pedestrians at adjacent corners pressing the buttons sometimes it will trigger a little faster. One side of the intersection is quite a bit wider than the other and the pedestrian timer gives barely enough time to get across without breaking into a trot. Most of the time drivers make right turns on reds while the walking man signal is up anyway and ignore the pedestrian crossing lights all together. I have learned to simply cross when there are no cars coming and it's safe, not by the pole indicators. Perhaps additional signage to alert drivers that they need to yield to pedestrians when the crossing lights are active would be helpful. It's really only a matter of time before someone is hurt at this intersection.
6 Comments
Harriet Iboll (Registered User)
BB (Registered User)
I fully agree as well. Some suggestions:
Stop traffic flow within 30 seconds of a pedestrian hitting the button. Not minutes. Put bump-outs at all four corners and create a no-turn on red situation. Remove the highway off-ramp entirely. Folks can get on at Willow street. Paint a mural in the middle of the intersection.
We planted a number of trees around this intersection which has been helpful in humanizing it but more could be done.
Acknowledged Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking (Registered User)
TT&P Workflow Inegration (Verified Official)
Closed TT&P Workflow Inegration (Verified Official)
Harriet Iboll (Registered User)