The city has opened a kind of mission control center for Baltimore traffic that should alleviate gridlock and quickly detour drivers around accidents or construction. Operators at the center can monitor traffic around town via live cameras and, at the push of a button, change traffic light timings. That means they can turn lights green to speed things up in a congested area, route traffic around accidents or detours, and give busses and emergency vehicles priority.
This article in Today's Sun explains what's involved.
Congestion is among the top complaints we hear from businesses and residents. On the one hand, it's a nice problem to have. A few years ago there were much fewer people working Downtown and there was virtually nobody living here. So if congestion is a byproduct of success, it's one we'll happily learn to fix. On the other hand, if things get much worse it could choke future growth. So the city's efforts to improve traffic control are most welcome.
A big part of the solution to congestion is to improve mass transit. That's why Downtown Partnership is teaming up with the city to launch a new Downtown Circulator in the coming months. The details are still being worked out but, once it's up and running, the shuttle will be fast, convenient, and totally free. (Check out our previous post about the hybrid busses that are being considered for the shuttle.)
We'll post info about the shuttle as soon as it's available.
-mike
This article in Today's Sun explains what's involved.
Congestion is among the top complaints we hear from businesses and residents. On the one hand, it's a nice problem to have. A few years ago there were much fewer people working Downtown and there was virtually nobody living here. So if congestion is a byproduct of success, it's one we'll happily learn to fix. On the other hand, if things get much worse it could choke future growth. So the city's efforts to improve traffic control are most welcome.
A big part of the solution to congestion is to improve mass transit. That's why Downtown Partnership is teaming up with the city to launch a new Downtown Circulator in the coming months. The details are still being worked out but, once it's up and running, the shuttle will be fast, convenient, and totally free. (Check out our previous post about the hybrid busses that are being considered for the shuttle.)
We'll post info about the shuttle as soon as it's available.
-mike
