The in basket: Donna Ascalon of Bremerton says “The intersection
of Myhre/Tracyton Beach Road and Bucklin Hill Road is a perfect
example where a left turn yield on green would be very effective,
particularly on the east/west directions on Bucklin Hill Road. I
have sat there numerous times waiting to turn left onto Myhre Road
and sat and sat and sat while there was absolutely no traffic in
sight coming down Bucklin Hill Road toward the intersection.
“In view of higher gas prices, it would be reasonable to have the
ability to make those left turns when it was clear and safe from
oncoming traffic.
The in basket: Donna Ascalon of Bremerton says “The intersection of
Myhre/Tracyton Beach Road and Bucklin Hill Road is a perfect
example where a left turn yield on green would be very effective,
particularly on the east/west directions on Bucklin Hill Road. I
have sat there numerous times waiting to turn left onto Myhre Road
and sat and sat and sat while there was absolutely no traffic in
sight coming down Bucklin Hill Road toward the intersection.
“In view of higher gas prices, it would be reasonable to have the
ability to make those left turns when it was clear and safe from
oncoming traffic. I contacted the transportation department in
August 2005 and they responded that it would take a time study done
by an engineer to observe that intersection. As of last week, I’m
still burning gas at that intersection unnecessarily. ” It doesn’t
have to be that complicated for someone to go and observe a few
cycles of the lights at an intersection. Why does the bureaucracy
have to be such a hindrance to common sense and practical solutions
that would ease flow of traffic and save gas?”
The out basket: I don’t have an answer for her last question, but
Doug Bear of Kitsap County Public Works, the agency responsible for
that traffic signal, says she may have a good idea.
“We agree that this could be a good location for the action she
requests (but) when you permit unguarded turns at an intersection
like this
the tradeoff is usually safety.
“We will review accident history and speed studies at that
intersection
to see if a protected/permitted phase is beneficial. I would expect
a
determination there in the near future.”
A protected-permitted light is one with a green arrow that offers
left turners the right of way, with a solid green ball the rest of
the green cycle that allows them to turn if there’s no oncoming
traffic.
