I'm putting this up as a new idea because the original one was for a high tech version that has its problems, like warning lights going off, indicators distracting the driver etc. Inspired by the decidedly bad idea of having road signs basically saying "Don't Read This Sign Warning Of Distracted Driving Or You May Die".
This directs the driver's attention to the road and changes slowly and incrementally preventing the driver from getting confused and slamming on the brakes.
The representation shown is a foreshortened version, the actual application would be over a much longer area and perhaps with the horizontal stripes not being so wide.
I think this would be subtle preventing knee jerk reactions of drivers that could be dangerous, and the reading of them would be intuitive such that people would slow down simply because their perceived driving path has been narrowed, if only by painted on markings.
I made a pic. (link)
ADDENDUM: To warn of an approaching crosswalk, the lines progressively merge together until they form the pedestrian crosswalk the driver needs to be aware of.-- doctorremulac3, Jan 22 2019 Dangerous stretch of road indicator markings. https://www.dropbox...AD%20LINES.png?dl=0The horizontal strips look a little like a sidewalk which you would stop for, but not so much that you would actually stop. [doctorremulac3, Jan 22 2019] Proof that lines get attention and signify to slow down. https://goo.gl/images/jdsBKeJust started seeing these leading up to speed bumps. [doctorremulac3, Feb 28 2019] optical processing of path https://www.snopes....llway-stop-running/Warping perception in more ways than one. [wjt, Jul 19 2020] I like this. The current system of signs, in the UK at least doesn't really engage the brain on any fundamental level. When you've seen "slow" written on the road for the 38th time, you start to wonder if it's driving advice or an indication of the mental capacity of the locals. What might work better is simply massaging the dimensions of the existing road lines. In tricky road sections, the lines are often double-sold to indicate no overtaking. By slightly widening and separating the lines, it would give the impression of a narrower road. Similarly, the lines on the outside could be thickened and moved in. Everyone slows down when the road looks narrower.-- bs0u0155, Jan 22 2019 // Dangerous Stretch Of Road Indicator Markings //
Could it be please be clarified if it is the stretch of road that is dangerous, or the actual indicator markings themselves ? Is it "Dangerous Stretch Of Road" Indicator Markings, or Dangerous Stretch Of "Road Indicator Markings" ?
If the indicator markings are the actual hazard, then the way to improve safety is merely to omit them, shirley ?-- 8th of 7, Jan 22 2019 Neither. It's: "Dangerous Stretch" of road indicator markings.
Meaning that only the actual indicator markings in this particular stretch of road are dangerous. Beyond that they're safe. I didn't want to be redundant and say "Dangerous stretch of dangerous road indicator markings." I also thought "Dangerous stretch of dangerous road danger danger indicator markings danger." was a bit confusing so I shortened it a bit.
Hope that cleared it up.-- doctorremulac3, Jan 22 2019 Apart from all the accident debris, yes.-- 8th of 7, Jan 22 2019 I missed this a month ago, somehow. Actually, I think there are a lot of ideas from around that time I haven't read yet.
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Re the new link: Around here we have similar markings on some speed bumps, but the triangle is filled in (and stretches all the way to the other side of the bump, IIRC) and we don't have the transverse lines leading up to it.-- notexactly, Feb 28 2019 Oddly enough, a study not so long ago showed that having no road markings at all (for example, when a road had just been resurfaced and not yet re-marked) considerably improves road safety. People tend to think "Ah yes, white lines down the middle so I needn't worry as long as I'm on my side" or "Ah yes, I've looked at those warnings, so now I'm safe".-- MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 28 2019 I think maybe people just drive slower because they don't see the guide markers. Like perhaps stop lights not working cause people to be more careful going through intersections.
I know I like those dividing lines myself. When you're on a 5 lane highway and everybody goes into a turn, those lines are the only thing keeping people from crashing into each other.
Anyway, I think I might suggest this now that I'm seeing that there's intuitive realization that pregressively intrusive lines into the car's path signal it's time to slow down.
LOL, I just got the realization that I entertained the idea of communicating with a big government bureaucracy similar to the DMV about doing things in a new way that might be better. What the hell was I thinking?
OK, back to Earth.-- doctorremulac3, Feb 28 2019 That being said, these might also be useful as you approach speed reduction signs, like going from a 45 MPH zone to a 25 MPH zone. Draw attention to the speed reduction and have the new posted speed at the end of the line pattern.-- doctorremulac3, Mar 01 2019 // people just drive slower because they don't see the guide markers// Yes, that's the point.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Mar 01 2019 Well, my point is that they'll drive slower when the traffic lights aren't working too. Doesn't mean it's a sustainably safer situation overall. I think they're just seeing that this is an un-safe driving condition, a new unmarked road, and driving accordingly.
Got a link to the report? I should probably read it before I disagree with it.-- doctorremulac3, Mar 01 2019 Say I agree with the signs. Moving forward, how do I actually slow the zone road down?-- pashute, Jul 19 2020 ^Hard one, politics, economics, red tape. Get a Kindergarten built?... Move a speed sign?-- wjt, Jul 19 2020 Looking at my old drawing, this could be used to signify an approaching sidewalk. The lines progressively merge together until they form the pedestrian crosswalk the driver needs to be aware of. Gonna add that to the title. Previous title: Dangerous Stretch Of Road Indicator Markings. New title: Dangerous Stretch Of Road Or Crosswalk Indicator Markings
Better than the very first title of "Dangerous stretch of dangerous road danger danger indicator markings danger."-- doctorremulac3, Jul 19 2020 // form the pedestrian crosswalk the driver needs to be aware of //
Sounds like a useful target indicator. Could there be a similar system for bike lanes ?
Crosswalks are great; they lure the victims into a false sense of security ...-- 8th of 7, Jul 19 2020 random, halfbakery