LETTERS: Reader has new idea for traffic-calming solution

Dear Editor:

I read with interest the concerns and solutions that the majority of citizens who are opposed to road speed issues on Anoka Road.

It amazes me how all of this effort and meetings presented with no clear consensus or solutions.

With this I present my well thought out solution that should find at least 70% of the residences agreeing.

I hear the concerns of the population which your paper indicates imperils the quality of life for over 1,000.

Their issues is the speed bumps (cars jarring and pounding noise), speed cushions (noise sounds) and small roundabouts in addition to police and heavy fire trucks having to go over the speed bumps.

What I envision is on the road map published with the article, each location shown in green would now become a crossing arm location.

These crossing arms (the size you see at parking garages) would stay up as long as vehicles are traveling within 25-30 mph.

They would have sensors, much like those digital speed limit signs that indicate your speed, and they would be 3 feet by 3 feet and would communicate to these crossing arms and in advance would lower the arm to make the vehicle stop.

It would go into a 3-car cycle mode and once it returned to normal operation would stay up and let the free flow of traffic at the acceptable speed limit continue.

In addition, when the crossing park is activated, a photo of the offending speeder would be communicated to local law enforcement not to issue tickets but to have a community officer address respecting speed limits would be the right thing to do.

You might say that this in an invasion of privacy and it is not as the Supreme Court Of The United States indicated “No Expatiation Of Privacy In Public Spaces”

If you simply obey the posted speed limit, then no photo is taken and no crossing arms are lowered. All speed bumps are removed, and another concern about police or EMS response times is addressed.

EMS and police would override the system and have normal access through the roadway to quickly respond to emergencies.

Our county has plenty of funds to address this.

Sincerely,
Ron J. Melancon, Glen Allen