DOT Answers: Providence
pedestrian signals are too quick
The
providence Journal-June 17, 2012
Dana
Alexander Nolfe
Q: I am writing to you about the City of Providence’s
crosswalks and traffic lights. Why is it that when a pedestrian presses the
crosswalk button, they are prompted to walk while the traffic lights
simultaneously enable cars to proceed with a left turn arrow?
Also, why does the straight-on traffic light turn green within seconds of the
walk light enabling? This is not enough time. Shouldn’t the traffic be totally
stopped for a reasonable amount of time while a pedestrian crosses? Specific
examples are crossing from Gaspee Street over to Smith Street. State
Street traffic gets a green light to turn left onto Smith Street while
pedestrians get a walk signal at the same time. The same is true for motorists
who are taking a left turn from North Main Street up to Smith Street. Also,
specifically, when I try to cross Smith Street and Canal Street, I get seconds
to cross before the light turns green for four lanes of traffic.
Bonnie N.
A: The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) sets regulations and
makes recommendations as to which devices, such as signs, pavement
markings or signals, can be used on public roads.
The current manual does not allow a green traffic signal arrow to show at the
same time a pedestrian is allowed to cross a street when a pedestrian signal
head is in use.
It is permissible, however, to allow pedestrians to cross when vehicles
traveling in the same direction of the crossing have a green light. This allows
for a more efficient traffic circulation and assures that pedestrians are not
exposed to through traffic.
According to RI Law 31-17-2, Vehicle Turning Left or Right, drivers, “shall
yield to a pedestrian intending to cross within a crosswalk which the driver of
the vehicle must travel to make the left or right turn.”
When a pedestrian gets the okay to cross the street a white symbol of a
walker is shown on the pedestrian traffic sign. A red flashing hand is then
shown several seconds later. This symbol blinks continuously and while it is
flashing pedestrians can continue crossing the street. A solid red hand means
pedestrians are no longer allowed to cross. Instead they should press the
pedestrian signal activation button and wait for the walker symbol to appear
before attempting to cross the street.
Additionally, RIDOT recently extended the timing for the pedestrian signals on
Smith Street at North Main Street and Canal Street and at State Street and
Gaspee Street. It is unclear as to exactly which signals you are referring to
and therefore some of them may be under the City of Providence’s jurisdiction.
Right-turn lane
Q: Heading west on Route 5 at the junction with Route 2 North in Cranston there
is a curved turn lane with a stoplight. Some drivers treat the light, when red,
as a caution light and do not stop. Is my understanding correct that a stop is
necessary at the intersection prior to making the right on red? If so, perhaps
appropriate signage would prevent someone from inadvertently getting a ticket
for running a red light.
Paul C.
A: Paragraph three of the RI Law 31-13-6, Specifications and Meaning of
Traffic Lights states that a vehicle is permitted to turn right when facing a
red traffic signal after coming to a complete stop and only when it is safe to
turn right.
In the particular case that you mention, the right turn lane does not have a
traffic signal controlling vehicles facing traffic on Route 5 northbound.
Drivers wanting to turn right at this location must yield to traffic that is
already on New London Avenue.
Dana Alexander Nolfe, chief public affairs officer for the state Department of
Transportation, answers questions of general interest posed by Journal readers
about state roads and other state transportation matters.
Questions are answered in the order they appear, and there may be a delay in
responding.
The DOT is responsible for the state’s transportation infrastructure, which
includes highways, bridges, traffic signals and bikeways.
To ask a question that would also be of interest to other readers, send a
letter to Ask RIDOT, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain
St., Providence, RI 02902. You can also e-mail your question to
cars@providencejour nal.com
. Please put “Question for the DOT” in the subject field.
Questions or complaints of a specific nature should be posed to the DOT
directly and will not be answered in this column.
DOT
ANSWERS: Work on Route 7, 15 intersection being re-done 
