How busy IS that street? Here are the numbers

Just found this link and added it to our Fauntleroy Way lane-reconfiguration followup – but we wanted to share it separately, too. The city’s Traffic Flow Data maps are online, with the daily totals for major arterials. Currently you can find the 1996-2006 maps/data; start here. It’s a bit hard to read (turned sideways with east on top), but for example, this map section shows the West Seattle Bridge and its feeders in 2006; the comparable section from 1996 shows higher volume on the bridge’s main stretch then, than 10 years later. ADDED SUNDAY: Want some REAL perspective? WSB Forums member “manuelw” started a thread with a photo of truly historic traffic on one of The Bridge’s predecessors.

westwood November 16, 2008 (1:38 am)

If you look at the map you see travel data for Fauntleroy at 18,700 cars. This makes it a prime candidate for examination of changing four lanes to three. Studies have shown that streets under 23,000 often benefit from this treatment. They are safer but still move cars–just at the speed limit. Pedestrians are safer, especially a factor at the busy soccer fields at Fairmount Park.

Examples of these are all around Seattle–Delridge, 8th Av NW in Ballard, 45th in Wallingford, Rainier and Renton Aves in Skyway.

Here is a great visual link:

http://www.smartgrowthonlineaudio.org/np2007/310c.pdf

and another

http://egov.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/docs/2008NWTC/2008_presentations/7A_3_rosales.pdf

Fauntleroy could be a very livable street instead of the freeway it is today. I would hope people would have an open mind to simply trying some paint to see what would happen. If you drive the speed limit of 35 you will have no problem with this.

Meghan November 16, 2008 (8:13 am)

I totally agree with Westwood. I drive Fauntleroy every day. People go way too fast, are constantly slamming on their breaks for people turning left (which takes forever, so they often pull into the right lane – often in front of other speeding cars), and swerve into the other lane for bicycles. This new plan make a lot of sense to me.

Krystal November 16, 2008 (9:11 am)

I couldn’t agree more. I live on Fauntleroy, and I think this would be an excellent idea. I really like what you said Meghan about the turning left, and potential hazards. Most people don’t seem to check their review mirrors, and I have seen that scenario a few too many times! I think a one-lane with a center-turn would help to eliminate speeding drivers (although I am sure they would do well with a few expensive tickets and licenses suspended–but anything helps).

Nants November 17, 2008 (9:44 am)

I agree with changing Fauntleroy to three lanes with a center turn lane. I don’t live along the street, but I drive it often. I’ve sent my comment to the city.

Sorry, comment time is over.