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Why Richmond, Why?!?

With the cost of gas, has the City of Richmond considered installing traffic light sensors so that people aren't wasting gas stopped at red lights when there is no oncoming traffic? I have lived in this city for three years and have not seen much (if any) increase in technology to improve traffic flow or to conserve energy.

Jemila M. Woodson, public information assistant for the City of Richmond Department of Public Works, answers:

Most of the approximately 470 signalized intersections in the City are operating within coordinated signal systems. They provide for coordinated progressive traffic flows on the arterial roadways. Thus, motorists on the minor flow roadways can experience significant delays so that the heavier traffic volumes on the major roadways can be accommodated in a coordinated progressive manner. The City is currently making traffic signal timing changes to the Richmond Signal System in the area bounded by Belvidere Street, I-95, 18th Street and the James River, which will further improve the coordinated traffic flows in this area and reduce delays for motorists.

What is the point of an EZPass if there is a bar in the way? Why can the bar not be removed? With gas the price it has been, to stop and go through an EZPass lane is costing extra money that people can not afford. I think the EZPass should be paying us for the gas waste. Linda McElroy, public relations manager even states the lanes are dedicated." For the time being, the dedicated E-ZPass only lanes at the toll booths will continue to have gates."

I ran this question by Linda McElroy , public relations manager for the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, and she needs some more information regarding the specific toll plaza. Please provide the specifics in the comments section below.

Why is the pedestrian "walk" so fast crossing Forest Hill between the Stratford Hills and Food Lion shopping centers?

That is a frequently crossed section of Forest Hill due to the bus stop and other merchants and there are many disabled people in the area as well as people like me who are trying to push a stroller across the street. I can never make it even a third of the way across the street before the red light starts blinking.

Part of the reason we love our neighborhood is that we can walk to places like Benny's BBQ, Once Upon a Vine and The Antique Mall-but between the crumbling sidewalk and the forced sprint across Forest Hill it feels like a danger zone!

Jemila M. Woodson answers again:

City traffic engineers have investigated the concerns about pedestrian signal timing at Forest Hill Avenue at Hathaway Road and Old Westham Road, and determined that the existing pedestrian walk indications are of sufficient length for a pedestrian to cross Forest Hill Avenue.

Their findings are based on Uniform Traffic Control Device Standards, which require that pedestrians be allotted one second of crossing time to travel 4 feet. When the pedestrian pushbutton is activated to cross Forest Hill Avenue, it provides 18 seconds of pedestrian signal timing. By these standards, this allows sufficient time for pedestrians to cross the intersection safely.

So what do you want to know, Richmond? Send questions to: karri.peifer@corp.richmond.com with "Why Richmond, Why?!?" in the subject line or leave your question in the comments sections below. And if you want to read all the old "Why Richmond, Why?!?" columns, you can always check out last week's or read the "Why Richmond, Why?!?" archives .