Comments for Texas Transportation Institute http://tti.tamu.edu Saving Lives, Time and Resources. Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:04:22 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on TTI study underscores safety benefits of red light cameras by Chris Sasser http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/08/01/safety-benefits-of-red-light-cameras/#comment-776 Chris Sasser Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:04:22 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=5645#comment-776 TTI response: It is certainly true that different approaches and methodologies may produce different findings and observations, and we respect the work of other research professionals. The purpose of our work was very specific – we addressed the question of whether or not red light cameras helped to reduce crash frequency, and the answer is that they do. The study results are very clear on that, and we respectfully stand by our research methodology and findings. There well may be valid reasons for opposing the way red light camera enforcement has been implemented in specific jurisdictions, but the argument that the cameras are not effective in reducing crash frequency is not one of them. We do take issue with one specific statement made by the commenter, as Dr. Walden did not say that “most red light violations are attributed to conscious decisions”. What was stated was that peoples' decisions to disobey traffic laws are largely self motivated and often linked to personal choice. This is true since driving is based upon personal choices stemming from a wide variety of operator responses to different stimuli. One constant remains clear, safe driving always demands that the operator pay attention to the driving environment regardless of camera presence at the intersection or not. TTI response:
It is certainly true that different approaches and methodologies may produce different findings and observations, and we respect the work of other research professionals. The purpose of our work was very specific – we addressed the question of whether or not red light cameras helped to reduce crash frequency, and the answer is that they do. The study results are very clear on that, and we respectfully stand by our research methodology and findings. There well may be valid reasons for opposing the way red light camera enforcement has been implemented in specific jurisdictions, but the argument that the cameras are not effective in reducing crash frequency is not one of them.

We do take issue with one specific statement made by the commenter, as Dr. Walden did not say that “most red light violations are attributed to conscious decisions”. What was stated was that peoples’ decisions to disobey traffic laws are largely self motivated and often linked to personal choice. This is true since driving is based upon personal choices stemming from a wide variety of operator responses to different stimuli. One constant remains clear, safe driving always demands that the operator pay attention to the driving environment regardless of camera presence at the intersection or not.

]]> Comment on Share the road: Look twice for motorcycles by cody http://tti.tamu.edu/2009/06/01/share-the-road-look-twice-for-motorcycles/#comment-775 cody Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:18:44 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=3067#comment-775 Such a shame, most drivers never even consider bikes. Such a shame, most drivers never even consider bikes.

]]> Comment on TTI study underscores safety benefits of red light cameras by H. F. Van Der Grinten http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/08/01/safety-benefits-of-red-light-cameras/#comment-772 H. F. Van Der Grinten Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:44:14 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=5645#comment-772 The plural "researchers” in the above statement is misleading. Dr. Walden is the sole investigator for this report and it was not submitted for internal review by TTI-CTS. Dr. Walden's bias in favor of red light cameras is evident beginning on page 11, paragraph 2 of the report. He attributes most red light violations to conscious decisions. My research documents that typically 92% of RLC citations are accounted for by unintentional straight-through and left turn violations of less than one second into the red and by rolling stop violations for right turns on red. These are largely insignificant factors in causing accidents, but they are great generators of revenue for the RLC contractor, local jurisdictions and the state of Texas. I am preparing a paragraph by paragraph rebuttal to this misleading report by Dr. Walden and will make it available to all concerned in due course. It will show that Dr. Walden’s claim of accident reduction attributed to RLCs is bogus. The plural “researchers” in the above statement is misleading. Dr. Walden is the sole investigator for this report and it was not submitted for internal review by TTI-CTS. Dr. Walden’s bias in favor of red light cameras is evident beginning on page 11, paragraph 2 of the report. He attributes most red light violations to conscious decisions. My research documents that typically 92% of RLC citations are accounted for by unintentional straight-through and left turn violations of less than one second into the red and by rolling stop violations for right turns on red. These are largely insignificant factors in causing accidents, but they are great generators of revenue for the RLC contractor, local jurisdictions and the state of Texas. I am preparing a paragraph by paragraph rebuttal to this misleading report by Dr. Walden and will make it available to all concerned in due course. It will show that Dr. Walden’s claim of accident reduction attributed to RLCs is bogus.

]]> Comment on TTI study underscores safety benefits of red light cameras by Ken Corbin http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/08/01/safety-benefits-of-red-light-cameras/#comment-770 Ken Corbin Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:40:36 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=5645#comment-770 That's right. They did not include Lubbock where evidence showed that rear end crashes went up after cameras were installed.In Lubbock, I was on the Red Light Committee required under Texas law. I proudly voted against this intrusion on our rights and so did the majority of the committee. Too bad the Texas Legislature has not totally banned this revenue generating tactic all over Texas. Follow the money. That’s right. They did not include Lubbock where evidence showed that rear end crashes went up after cameras were installed.In Lubbock, I was on the Red Light Committee required under Texas law. I proudly voted against this intrusion on our rights and so did the majority of the committee. Too bad the Texas Legislature has not totally banned this revenue generating tactic all over Texas. Follow the money.

]]> Comment on Road Safety Audit Course Offered in Abu Dhabi by Jeff Shelton http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/03/01/road-safety-audit-course-offered-in-abu-dhabi/#comment-733 Jeff Shelton Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:34:30 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=836#comment-733 Tony, shoot me an email and we can discuss what you have in mind. Best, Jeff Tony, shoot me an email and we can discuss what you have in mind.

Best,
Jeff

]]> Comment on It’s Bike to Work Week: Study Hopes to Improve Austin Biking by Mark http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/05/18/its-bike-to-work-week-study-hopes-to-improve-austin-biking/#comment-707 Mark Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:21:12 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=3659#comment-707 The City of Austin is an anomaly. How on Earth did the City of Austin end up in Texas? Shouldn't it really be in Northern California or perhaps in somewhere in New England. I'm just amazed that the rednecks and cowboys would tolerate such a town in their great state. But I digress. Leave it to Austin to think about bicycling this way. As a bicycle rider, I would love to see more bicycle friendly roadways. I was run over once and survived. I don't want to tempt fate. The City of Austin is an anomaly. How on Earth did the City of Austin end up in Texas? Shouldn’t it really be in Northern California or perhaps in somewhere in New England. I’m just amazed that the rednecks and cowboys would tolerate such a town in their great state. But I digress. Leave it to Austin to think about bicycling this way. As a bicycle rider, I would love to see more bicycle friendly roadways. I was run over once and survived. I don’t want to tempt fate.

]]> Comment on Hydrogen Fuel Tanks Tested at TTI by Tony Newsom http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/01/03/hydrogen-fuel-tanks-tested-at-tti-2/#comment-704 Tony Newsom Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:50:43 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/01/03/hydrogen-fuel-tanks-tested-at-tti-2/#comment-704 Where can we find an archive of your entire 2010-2011 test? Also, do you have any material that is available for senior high school students to read and perhaps write reviews for extra credit? Where can we find an archive of your entire 2010-2011 test? Also, do you have any material that is available for senior high school students to read and perhaps write reviews for extra credit?

]]> Comment on Road Safety Audit Course Offered in Abu Dhabi by Tony Newsom http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/03/01/road-safety-audit-course-offered-in-abu-dhabi/#comment-703 Tony Newsom Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:39:34 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=836#comment-703 This is a great topic Jeff. We would like to provide a link to your site for our parents and educators to be able to read your article. How can we subcribe to your blog? Tony This is a great topic Jeff. We would like to provide a link to your site for our parents and educators to be able to read your article. How can we subcribe to your blog? Tony

]]> Comment on Pavement 2.0 by Jonny http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/06/01/pavement-2-0/#comment-512 Jonny Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:58:23 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=5253#comment-512 We could do with some of this where I live in the UK - they are always having to repair the road - some spots a few times a year, where the lorries consistently stress out the same weak point in the road - you should see the state of the roads after it's snowed ! It's like the moon :) We could do with some of this where I live in the UK – they are always having to repair the road – some spots a few times a year, where the lorries consistently stress out the same weak point in the road – you should see the state of the roads after it’s snowed ! It’s like the moon :)

]]> Comment on Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night:TTI research improves nighttime driving safety by Tony from Driving Lessons Liverpool http://tti.tamu.edu/2009/06/01/neither-rain-nor-sleet-nor-gloom-of-nighttti-research-improves-nighttime-driving-safety/#comment-490 Tony from Driving Lessons Liverpool Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:15:35 +0000 http://tti.tamu.edu/?p=3683#comment-490 Over here in the UK, roads are being neglected due to financial considerations. The people with the purse strings will always go for the cheapest imediate solution and ignore safety and lifespan. Over here in the UK, roads are being neglected due to financial considerations. The people with the purse strings will always go for the cheapest imediate solution and ignore safety and lifespan.

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