From The Blog
Top Traffic-Related Questions
A quick review of recent emails suggests there are unanswered questions about what we call traffic-related questions in regards to traffic engineering principles or philosophies or engineering judgement (my favorite). Regarding the suggestions below, I would like to...
Cars Are Not Meant to Be Idle
By far, the question I get asked the most is, “Can I see your driver’s license and registration?” But another question often asked is, “As a homeowner, how much traffic do I generate?” Because think about it, most of us live in houses, apartments, or condominiums — so...
Traffic Signal Coordination
If you’ve been following this column for very long, you qualify for a free t-shirt. Send me your size and $29 to cover shipping and handling (handling is expensive). Also, if you’ve been following this column for very long, you understand something about traffic...
Drive on Purpose
Granted, a percentage of drivers on the road, right now, because they must be someplace at a specific time. Certain employers are usually to blame for this. These employees have no option but to drive to work during the busiest part of the day. In traffic engineering...
Rate the Driver in Front of You
Take your dad for a drive and ask him to provide tips on how to drive better and where to turn. Ask him to rate your driving. Dads love to do this. Feedback is an effective way to improve something. Want to make something better? Track it. Rate it. How many stars?...
The Road Less Travelled
When travelling recently, I encountered a sign stating, “Lane Closed to Ease Congestion.” At first glance, the sign made no sense. My second glance however, lasting about twenty minutes, afforded a different conclusion... By now, as a burgeoning student of the traffic...
Traffic Problems? Just “Flip the Switch!”
And 2 to implement today — ALSO 1 bonus tip if you read this before midnight tonight! You get the idea. Random headline generators usually include a number. I won’t stoop to that psychological trick but simply say there are several ways to reduce traffic congestion....
Traffic is Funny
C’mon, think about it, wherever you have a lot of cars you have a lot of traffic. Funny how that goes hand in hand. For millennia city planners have tried to reduce traffic without reducing cars. There’s no getting around it — traffic equals cars and cars equal people...
Imagine — No Traffic Problems
I visited a community recently that was not experiencing growing pains. There were no new restaurants, no new houses, no new retail, and as far as I could tell, no plans for anything. But, the good news? No traffic problems! The great thing about living in a dormant...
A Double Yellow Line
A double yellow line — you know what I’m talking about. So why do we avoid the topic? It’s come to the point I hesitate to even bring up the subject, especially at parties or family gatherings. And it’s not always simple yellow paint, you know. Many times it’s a...
Why We Need More Green Arrows
In reviewing the top ten questions asked this week, #7 actually had to do with traffic engineering (#3 was interesting but unrelated to traffic engineering — but if you’re curious, yes, the medicine is helping). Question #7 had to do with the appropriateness of left...
Zombies are Here to Stay
A study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute shows that people using their phones behind the wheel double their chances of being involved in an accident. And if you have two phones, well, you can do the math. But did you know phones can also distract you on...
Rush Hour Addiction
Daily fluctuations in traffic are somewhat predictable. Exceptions include unusual proximity to factories, schools, event centers, or Amazon warehouses. And because “flattening the curve” is no longer a traffic engineering secret, here’s what I do before leaving the...
You Can Get There From Here
As an Indiana traffic engineer, we study traffic problems all throughout...wait for it... Indiana. And we have come to understand that each community has a different definition of what they consider a traffic “problem.” Fortunately, computer models are available to...
Should We Care About ‘Space Traffic’ Congestion?
When you hear the word, “traffic,” what emotions are emoted? Do you think of only car traffic? Or air traffic? We better start including space traffic… Last July, three rockets from three different countries launched toward Mars — all within two weeks of each other....
Because We’ve Always Done It That Way
Today’s topic is something I have researched for several years (actually, I started yesterday, but, I plan to continue my research for many years — several years). There is an interesting theory about the wheel spacing of a Roman chariot and its impact on today’s...
Don’t Worry. Just Drive.
If you’ve ever used GPS apps while you travel, you’ve probably noticed location-specific advertising popping up (because after all, they know where you are and where you are headed). Also known as geo-fencing or location-based analytics, this technology creates a...
Navigation Apps
Anyone who travels is familiar with navigation apps. And anyone who has traveled for a long time is probably very far away. But, if you typically find your way back, you are likely familiar with Waze or Google Maps. And although you may be aware of both, most of us...
There Comes a Time to Turn in the Keys
Shortly after I sold my accordion (my monkey died) I bought a ukulele. Seems like everyone I know plays the ukulele (or maybe I attract ukulele players). In any case, I’m certain that if everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place… And this brings...
All Developments Generate Traffic
Today’s column addresses, by far, the most asked question from my readers, “When do you plan to pay back all that money I loaned you?” On second thought, let’s move on to the second most asked question, “What are we going to do about all that traffic?” This question...
Thursday is: Consider a Roundabout Day!
And When You’re Done Considering it — Reconsider
New Element Discovered: Traffic (Tr)
Why does this not surprise me? Granted, the recently discovered element, Traffic (Tr), has nothing to do with traffic, but one look at the periodic table and I think I see a few places where it could fit. But instead, it’s referred to as an element of confusion. So...
Where Does Traffic Come From?
Where Does Traffic Come From? I remember the first time my toddler asked that question as if it was yesterday — or maybe the day before. Anyway, I remember it was a Thursday (because the next day we had fish). Experienced parents prepared me for this day. Well, as...
Sometimes it Snows in Indiana
Sometimes it Snows on Traffic Signals Ever since traffic signals were invented, the bulbs within not only produced light, they also produced heat. And although no one thought much about it at the time, this heat, quietly and without fanfare, kept traffic signals snow...
Trafic Soup
I know, I know, but I could only find one “F” — plus people at the counter were staring at me as if I was crazy (so I just stared at them as if I wasn’t). Reflecting on my years at Purdue, without question, the class having the biggest impact on my career was Traffic...
Truncated Domes
What Do They Do With All Those Little Nibs? Pedestrian crosswalks can be found at almost every intersection where pedestrians are allowed. And where you have crosswalks, you often find wheelchair ramps. In fact, wheelchair ramps are installed almost everywhere a...
Traffic Problems are a Good Thing
Traffic Problems are a Bad Thing Sometimes I wonder why all the fuss about traffic. But then I remember that’s how I make my living and then I think, “You know, traffic is pretty bad,” and also, “It’s getting worse every day — why doesn’t someone do a study?” And then...
Traffic and Accordions
100 Years Ago Today Out of curiosity, I recently thumbed through my archives and retrieved a column from 100 years ago. It too was written just before Christmas and even included gift ideas. There’s one gift idea I will never forget — an accordion. It sounds...
Untrue Traffic Fiction
The Universe is Expanding — Hang in There If you ask a dozen people to name their number one traffic complaint, you get 13 different answers. Some mention roundabouts, some mention new development, and one guy answers twice. Sometimes I feel sorry for “traffic.”...
Everything I Needed to Know About Traffic
I Learnt in the Second Grade Almost everything I know about solving traffic problems I learnt (learned?) in second grade from dear ol’ Mr. Hemoglobin. “Where you have a lot of cars, you have a lot of traffic,” he’d often say. And trust me, after writing that 500 times...
We Need More Traffic
Aggravation or Asset? If a community is growth-oriented, consideration must be given to the resulting demand on the roadway system (not to mention increased demands on schools, hospitals, and the line at the local drive-thru). And the increase in school children,...
Drive-Through Lines are Longer
COVID By-Products Have you noticed how congested restaurant drive-throughs have become? In fact, if you rearrange the letters in the phrase: traffic congestion, you’ll get caffeinic nog-trots. And if you order this at a coffee shop, you will indeed get, caffeinic...
BMV Driving Test
Questions You Can’t Answer It’s been a while since I took a written driving test — “I can drive,” I reminded them, “how do you think I got here?” In any case, they continued on and on about “rules” and “laws” and “our policy.” I even pressed the panic button on my...
Top 8 Traffic Wonderments
(This is a 2-part column since there are actually 17 wonderments) (seriously) Unusual signs are one of the many topics addressed in traffic engineering journals (I’m assuming this — I’m not sure traffic engineering journals are actually a thing). And because many of...
The Legend of Steve
Taking Pride in the Obvious, the Simple, the Strange Sometimes I wonder where I’d be without all the mentors who have so graciously devoted both time and wisdom toward the development of my traffic engineering expertise. And if I think too long about this, I start to...
Traffic is Back to “Ab-Normal”
And it Always has Been... What is normal traffic? How will we know when traffic is normal? Rush hour is starting to look familiar, but I can’t say I’ve missed it… As traffic engineers, we are constantly analyzing and predicting traffic conditions to recommend...
The Danger of Improper Cargo Loading
Print This Column — Tape it to Your Fridge I’ve received several questions this week regarding the dangers of improper cargo loading. As pictured above, unbalanced (or unusual) cargo can result in “wide” turns. I followed this car for quite some time and quickly...
Thriving Communities Attract Development
But it’s Community Vision that Determines What Happens Next Some communities have a fine-tuned process when considering proposed developments. Some communities, enamored with new development, ask few questions. Most communities fall somewhere between. Reputable...
Congested Intersections
With or Without Turn Lanes, There are 12 Things Going On The problem with congested intersections is that — follow me closely here — they generally have too much traffic. Granted, there are two other reasons intersections become congested, actually, there are three:...
Distracted Driving
Please Don’t Buy a Hot Dog Case House Bill 1070 was signed into law earlier this month. The law prohibits Indiana motorists from holding or using a cellphone while operating a motor vehicle unless they use hands-free technology such as Bluetooth or a cellphone mount....
Walkable Communities
It’s Biblical As communities grow and develop, as we become increasingly interested in health, reduced traffic, and logicaldevelopment, the term “walkable communities” is popping up more and more. A walkable community is a community (or a part of a community) where...
Golf Carts Rule!
Or Golf Cart Rules??? I’m not much of a golfer but I do know it’s considered poor form to pick up a lost golf ball before it stops rolling. I also know what a golf cart looks like. And I’m starting to see them everywhere — apparently, a golf course is no longer...
Car versus Critter
How to Respond When an Animal Runs in Front of Your Vehicle Hitting an animal while driving is not only expensive (veterinarian fees are on the rise) but also dangerous (over 25,000 human injuries per year in the U.S. alone). Here are some tips to help avoid a serious...
Traffic Falsehoods
Some of the Things We Believe about Traffic are Counterfactual Here are a few beliefs we have about traffic that are not true… Cars coming toward me at a traffic signal are still moving but the light is red so they are running a red light. More likely they have a...
Traffic, Weather, Airplanes, and COVID19
Everything is Related (except for my Uncle) Reduced travel, namely air travel, means fewer weather observations from aircraft and therefore reduced accuracy regarding weather forecasts. More than 3,500 commercial aircraft normally provide over 250 million weather...
Traffic is Not Normal — Yet
But is ‘Normal’ a Good Thing? Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and GPS apps showed a 4% decrease in searches for directions. Gasoline consumption was down 25% to 35% as compared to last year. Our trips were shorter so most of us knew how to get where we were...
Traffic Lessons We Learnt from COVID-19
Is “Learnt” Even a Real Word? My uncle has a house-cleaning business. And like many of us, he’s been working from home. Let’s just say his house is shiny. Almost overnight road traffic melted away, trains stopped running, planes stopped flying, buses emptied, people...
Will the Coronavirus Result in MORE Traffic?
There’s More Traffic Coming to an Intersection Near You! Many cities are predicting that the eventual end of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will trigger an increase in traffic congestion — one like we’ve never seen before. Given the health and travel concerns...
Traffic Engineers are Tricky
Noise and Vibration (Shock and Awe) What I’m about to reveal may cost me my career. But what gives me peace of mind, is I believe you guys are trustworthy — especially when it comes to traffic engineering secrets. I also believe you are reasonable. Granted, some...
The Magic Roundabout
Traffic Engineering Wizardry from 1972 The roundabout pictured above is referred to as the “Magic Roundabout.” It is located in Swindon, England (from Oxford, just drive southwest on the wrong side of the road for approximately 50 km). This magic roundabout actually...
Transportation Predictions Accelerated
All Good News — in the Long Run Predictions are unfolding sooner than expected. It’s interesting how crises accelerate creativity and refine priorities. This time is no different. The COVID-19 crisis has hastened the need (and opportunity) for automation in every...
Social Distancing and Traffic Impacts
You may have noticed the morning and evening rush hours getting harder to find (especially if working from home). The peak hour traffic curve is flattening. As of April 5, workplace travel in Indiana is down 37% and trips to restaurants/shopping are down a whopping...
What’s More Important than Traffic?
Think about it — is there anything more important than traffic? I think not. In a recent interview however, when pressed about my priorities, I acquiesced, “There is ONE thing more important than traffic — I just can’t remember what it is.” Current events have jogged...
Less Cars = Less Traffic
Recent events have reduced roadway traffic. And based on in-house traffic data, it’s interesting to note that although car traffic decreased, truck traffic remained constant (and even increased in some areas). I guess stuff is still being delivered... I’m reminded of...
The Reason for the Trip
As stated in the past (1979, 2011, and once on a Tuesday), the most effective means to reduce traffic is to remove the reason for the trip. We can only add so many lanes, build so many roads, and there’s a limit to highway funding. Public transportation provides...
Does a Fast-food Restaurant “Create” Traffic?
Or, what about a bank? Or a dentist office? Or a new gas station with 12 fuel pumps, a mini-mart and a car wash? And if they do create traffic, how much? When new commercial or residential developments are planned, most communities have guidelines for determining if a...
Beyond the Nutshell
Perhaps you’ve noticed some traffic signals are sometimes completely “dark.” And they remain so until you arrive within a prescribed distance. And then suddenly they *illuminate*. How do they know? I imagine you have discussed this conundrum countless times around the...
The Dreaded Dilemma Zone
Have you ever noticed black circles in the pavement near signalized intersections? They are often circular, sometimes octagonal, and approximately six feet in diameter. Well, while you’re looking and wondering about those black circles, I’m wondering how long before...
Traffic Jam or Strawberry Jam?
Like most of you, I ponder this every morning. I ponder it as I weigh my coffee beans. I ponder it as I grind my coffee beans. I ponder it as I pre-rinse my coffee filter. I ponder it as I feed our pet frog — we named him Ponder — no pun intended (kidding, I don’t...
E=mc 2 (and sometimes Y)
I hesitate to assume what Einstein’s reaction would be, but I think he’d agree when I said, “Where you have a lot of cars, you have a lot of traffic.” Now when I first publicized this observation, colleagues scoffed, but not Einstein (at least not to my face). You see...
The Amazing Black Rubber Hose
Have you ever wondered about those black hoses stretched out across the road? What do they do? How do they work? Where can I buy one? I can hardly go out in public anymore without someone asking me about those black “strips.” Yep, some people refer to them as black...
Traffic Congestion and Horse Sense
I think it was Mark Twain who said, “Traffic is like weather, everybody talks about it but where did all these horses come from?” Or something like that... You likely have ideas about traffic. And I know some transportation engineers who also have ideas. In fact, many...
Why Some Traffic Signals Get “Stuck”
Whenever I meet someone new, the conversation usually leads to this question: “So, what do you do?” I’m not sure why we obsess about what people “do.” I suppose it’s part of seeking commonalities or interesting topics to keep the conversation moving along. But...
Left Turn YIELD on Flashing Yellow
Yep. Sometimes however, a flashing light simply indicates a loose bulb. Turn off the light and after it cools, carefully tighten the bulb and turn it back on. By the way, why are you even using a yellow bulb? That’s kind of strange - just stop it. However, there IS...
Pedestrian Crosswalks – Proceed with Caution!
Pedestrian Crosswalks (or, Crosswalks) (or, Sec. 3B.18, if you’re a traffic engineer) are often requested by schools, parents, city planners, and white paint salesmen. Yet, should you ever happen to walk within a real life painted crosswalk, please be careful. Be very...
Traffic-isms
Every year I record the most significant, the most valuable, the most life-changing, the most…um, never-mind, not sure where headed with all that… Anyway, let me just say, when municipalities receive traffic complaints, they generally fall into one of 38 categories....
Transportation Planning is Incredibly Important (for you anyway)
Because I am often involved with recommending roadway improvements to accommodate new development, and because I also provide this service on a larger scale for cities, towns, and counties, it seemed appropriate to take a nap. And, after my nap, it seemed appropriate...
Biomimicry — Schools of “Cars”
Biomimicry | bīōˈmiməkrē — the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. If you’re driving a newish car you have no doubt noticed a few newish bells, whistles, and cup-holders. Many of these bells and...
A Great White (Flashing) Light
Longing for more green while driving to work? And by that I mean, Benjamin Moore Traffic-Light Green. Because hey, you’re running a bit late and all these other folks apparently have more time than you. In fact, some of them even stop and buy gas. Others have time to...
Does Your Community Need a Crosswalk?
The decision to install a crosswalk is a bit more involved than simply buying some white paint and a roller. You must also buy some masking tape (if you want nice crisp edges). And you must also buy a big book called the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control...
New Development = Increased Traffic (Right?)
New development is a good thing, right? It typically means your town is growing and the economy is good. But what about all that TRAFFIC??? Well, I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news. Which do you want first? Click here. However, if you’re reading this in a...
Bad Carma
Bad Carma is not in the same league as Bad Dog. To a Traffic Engineer, Bad Carma means, SOS! Mayday! Buckle Up! Whereas to a pet owner, Bad Dog means, “Call Caesar and start the whispering.” To be clear, Bad Carma does not involve whispering (except maybe under your...
Red on the Top, Green on the Bottom (Right?)
Have you ever noticed that most traffic signals are oriented such that the red light is on top and the green light is on the bottom? If you haven’t, you might be color-blind, like me. But trust me, red is on top and green is on the bottom (I learned the hard way,...
You Are Not Stuck in Traffic, You ARE The Traffic
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past few decades, if there’s one thing that’s become crystal clear, if there’s one thing I could tell my younger self… sorry, completely forgot where I was headed with all that. Anyway, let’s talk about traffic! It’s like...
What’s Up With All The Roundabouts?!?
Roundabouts, in one form or another, have been “around” for hundreds of years, perhaps thousands of years (but probably not millions). For instance, you may recall your grandparents complaining about roundabouts whenever the circus came to town. No, wait, those were...
Are you concerned about traffic problems? Get free professional guidance.
Many communities are experiencing unusual growth along with the associated traffic problems. After solving traffic problems for over 20 years, we have a pretty good idea of what is effective and what isn't when it comes to mitigating (or preventing) traffic problems....
Basic Evaluation for Traffic Signal Warrant
Traffic signals are not always the best solution for mitigating traffic congestion. However, to determine if a traffic signal might be appropriate for your situation, a simple flowchart is available to provide straight forward guidance regarding traffic signal warrant...
Traffic Impact Analysis Benefits Everyone (but keep it reasonable)
A traffic impact analysis goes by many names — some of which I feel uncomfortable repeating here. In general however, its purpose is to simply answer the question, “How much traffic will a proposed development generate and what can be done to mitigate unacceptable...
Intentionally NOT setting goals…
I used to think goal setting was pretty cool, and who doesn’t want to be cool? In fact, I just designed and ordered 844 t-shirts. They are very cool t-shirts. A lot easier than actually setting goals. Goal setting takes time and there’s Netflix and business books to...
The Evolution of a Traffic Engineer
Traffic engineering is an engineering discipline requiring a strong sense of what constitutes a reasonable solution in light of human behavior. It is not a black and white science (at least it shouldn't be) and unfortunately, engineers in general are not known for...
Is This the World’s First Modern Roundabout?
I came across this roundabout picture approximately 15 years ago and decided it was the world’s first modern roundabout—at least the first one in this particular part of the world (and certainly the first one at this intersection). I keep this picture on the wall next...
Over 20 Years Serving the Midwest
For over 20 years, Traffic Engineering has been committed to providing clients with exceptional service and a creative work product, and we are equally committed to remaining leaders in the field of Traffic Engineering and Transportation Planning. Traffic Engineering...