Campaign launched to change all Seattle intersections to 'all way walks'

How about raised walkways or dig out the underground and start using it for foot traffic again?

They have that at Pikes Market too. People still don't stop for the red lights and that's the biggest problem.

I know when I cross the street I put forth the effort to actually walk at a brisk pace rather than stroll leisurely. Just because their is a walk signal doesn't mean you can take your time. Get out of the road!

The reason you have had so many close calls is you ASSUME that pedestrians have the right of way. Pedestrians need to understand that they have rules they must follow. Even if you have the right of way, a 200lb person versus a 4000lb car will come out the loser everytime. 

 

It takes an extra few seconds to let an inpatient driver pass. It takes hours to be treated by us and taken to the hospital if you are hit - that is assuming you even survive. Recovery is not always guaranteed either. 

 

Why not take your energy and drive and push for pedestrian awareness campaign which would benefit far more people than your pathetic campaign which would create a traffic hazard in of itself. 

 

Whats more important, beating the car or getting to your destination?

So what if he's "got the ear of several council members" – It would be a lot more impressive if somebody actually found the brain of a Seattle City Council member. 

so glad I avoid that fine city whenever possible. 

Seems to me that Seattle traffic is already messed up enough, why not quit while they are ahead. Pedestrians have been crossing streets for decades and it's still done the same way. It works.

OMG.  What is wrong with these people?  They can't look both ways, then cross when there's no traffic??  Why can't Seattle be like NYC, London, etc,. where both vehicles and pedestrians are respected?   Only in the PACNW do pedestrians think they own the road.  Yes, I do walk since I work downtown and walk everywhere.  Guess what?  It's not a big deal to wait for the light or to wait for no traffic.  UGH!

there is only one problem with this ,although it does work in many large cities. How do you enforce this on people who from outside C-atle. The State Supreme court has ruled many times on the rules of driving need to be uniform through out the state to avoid confusion .

This is an excellent plan. I've been saying that for SLU and in the shopping district for years. 

I live right at the Alaska Junction in West Seattle, and know that intersection well. The "walk all ways on green" is pretty cool; but there is a caveat. Drivers not familiar with the area or the concept dont realize they cannot turn right on a red light; etc. The signs are posted on the traffic lights themselves, but relatively obscure. I think if more of these intersections go up; you will see more of this.

As for the man pushing this proposal; I have no sympathy for you. When you and your cyclist buddies decide to start following the traffic rules and stop at red lights instead of blowing through them, then you will get my attention. Until then, shut your mouths. Virtually every single motorist in this city is fed up with this double standard.

I wonder if they're factoring in the current issue of cars being unable to turn even WITH a green light due to pedestrian crossing.  This blocks the turn lane (which almost always has bus traffic), sending the backup through the previous intersection.  This is my biggest frustration with the traffic downtown.  If the all-way walk signal would help solve that problem it would be something to consider.

Seattle was a geat place 50 years ago, been going downhill fast since then...

In England we have under passes (not on every intersection but enough to make a difference) but what a great solution for all those pan handlers who would have a nice dry place to sit and beg from pedestrian instead of motorists, along with their *insert dog breed of choice* still laying on concrete all day long, but at least dry.

A better improvement to seattle streets would be street signs that either A) actually exist, or B) are readable more than 5 feet from the intersection, thus avoiding missing your turn and having to circle the block.

 

 

 

 

This would be the best thing since sliced bread. MAKE IT HAPPEN!

 

I have sat thru to many green lights waiting on slow pokes with attitude crossing. 

35 years ago Seattle was a great place to hang out. One could go the center at 11:00 PM and not worry about being accosted by anyone. There was always plenty of parking (5 bucka all day at the expensive lots). The only folks wanting spare change were the barkers. It was wonderful.

 

This is yet another reason added to the list that of why I haven't been there in 20 years.

Wake up Seattle. The 1st class city you once had is now a 3rd rate laughing stock.

Akiva Kenny Segan, the "campaign leader," is Just Another Transplant who want Seattle to do things his way. 

 

Go back to your hometown of New York and promote this type of insanity. They will laugh you out of town - again.

I have nearly hit many pedestrians who walk although the Walk lite is clearly blinking and they know they can't make it across the street in time.  Or the ones to lollygag their way across while texting and not paying attention to the fact that the light has turn red long ago.  If you are crossing the street, please do so in the time allotted by the light and that will keep you from getting hit!  The best time to hit a pedestrian is when I have a green light and am starting to go thru the intersection only to have a pedestrian still crossing but I don't see them because they are in front of the car to my left or right!  Pedestrians need to obey the traffice laws, unlike our bicyclists!

As a driver, I would support this.  Make the all ways walk timing about 10 seconds less than what a current walk signal is (Because you can cut diagonally & shave time off your walk) and change the law that gives a pedestrian the right of way to give that right to vehicles.  Its a whole lot easier for a person walking to STOP than it is to stop 2.5 tons of rolling steel.

That would help the line of cars turning right that have to sit though 70% of the light waiting for people to walk.

The city also has to work to get cyclists to obey red lights, and drivers need to go back to school about the rules at four way stops and pedestrians. 

Denver has a great idea; pedestrians are allowed to cross every other light cycle, meaning that cars have unimpeded travel through the intersection (especially when turning) without having to wait for people to finish waddling across the road (usually while buried in their cell phone, eating a sandwich or reading a book).

 

Yes, this makes pedestrians wait a cycle before crossing, but it also ensures that there are no cars in the intersection when they *are* crossing.

I've been nearly hit several times too (by inattentive drivers, so this measure would not help), but this is crazy.  Traffic is already jammed downtown, why make it worse?  Maybe if most people scooted across the intersection with some purpose in their stride, instead of ambling across like they are severely constipated, all traffic would flow a little better.

This would really help traffic move faster.  NOT.

I'm tired of people not paying attention, looking down at their ipod, iphone, ipad, etc, with ear buds in, walking out in front of me.

"It happens all the time, he said. "I've been nearly hit by drivers several dozen times in the past year and a half two years."

 

Translation:  "As an incoherent drunk, I constantly find myself on foot in the seediest parts of town around the times when the bars close and the other drunks are wildly careening away in their beaters as they try to avoid the DUI patrols.  This is my chosen lifestyle and it's no less valid or virtuous than any other.  Any suggestions to the contrary automatically make you a Hater.  Therefore, The City Of Seattle has an obligation to spare no expense in making the streets of Seattle safe for me as I pursue my entirely legal leisure activities.  Anyone who objects to having all intersections modified with my lifestyle and minimal cognitive functionality in mind is a hater, a drunk-ist and a racist as well if your skin color is different from mine.  I demand that the taxes I pay on liquor be spent in a way that benefits me, and I will continue to harass City Officials and inarticulate news reporters with stories of my plight until I gain satisfaction.  I will not be silenced!  I am your worst nightmare!" 

Just for sheer entertainment value, can we also have taze jaywalkers day once a week? 

Where are those two in the picture going? Does "walk all ways" mean they can stroll DIAGONALLY across the intersection? 

I will admit that the thought of hitting a pedestrian has crossed my mind.

You know the type...those youngin' thug gansta wannabees wearin skinny jeanns hangin' down to their knees who cross the intersection slower than a 90 years old who has had a double hip replacement and is racked with arthritis.....with the latter, I do not mind missing a light cycle....the young punks would be bumper fodder if not for those silly manslaughter laws.

 

Those Walk,  Don't Walk  signs are so confusing!

So you need a big government solution?

 

"It happens all the time, he said. "I've been nearly hit by drivers several dozen times in the past year and a half two years."  WTF?  That's happened to me exactly zero times.  I guarantee you, the intersections and traffic engineering have nothing at all to do with your problem.  And it is your problem.