Changes could keep motorists off tram-only viaduct
COLOURED road surfaces and solar-powered cats' eyes could be brought in to improve safety at a tramline viaduct.
City council road safety officials have been investigating ways stop vehicles travelling on to the tram-only viaduct in Middle Hill in the city centre.
Four vehicles travelled on to the viaduct in the space of eight weeks last winter.
Road officials insist existing measures are adequate for the majority of road users, but say some changes still could be made.
Scott Talbot-Hartshorne, team leader of the city council's accident investigation unit, said: "We have suggested ways of trying to reduce any possible remaining confusion.
"Generally it's quite clear – but as with any junction motorists can become distracted and sometimes make mistakes.
"The vast majority of people can see it is not a road and can follow it properly. There is, however, a possibility that extra work could make it slightly more obvious that it is not a road."
One incident happened when a driver misunderstood an instruction from a sat-nav.
A report by Mr Talbot-Hartshorne is to go before the city council's Greater Nottingham light rapid transit advisory committee on Thursday. It suggests possible changes to road markings at the viaduct, near the Broadmarsh Centre.
They include switching the existing "no left turn" and "ahead only" road signs; replacing the "ahead only" arrow on the traffic lights at the junction with a "no left turn" symbol; and providing an additional "no entry" sign on the other side of the pedestrian walkway.
The road safety team also recommends increasing the width of the solid white line which marks the outer edge of the carriageway; using different coloured surfaces on the viaduct and replacing reflective cats' eyes with stronger solar-powered ones.
A NET spokesman said: "It suggests some minor alterations that could be made to make it even more obvious that the viaduct is not accessible to road vehicles.
"The number of incidents of people driving on to the viaduct are few and fortunately there have been no accidents. However, it's right to consider further options to prevent any potential disruption to tram services."
The committee is to look into ways of paying for any of the possible improvements at the meeting.
bryan.henesey@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
18 Comments
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by The Fat Controller, Nottingham
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 2:41PM
“Get off my line!
If i remember rightly 3 out of the 4 cars ending up on the track were being driven by women.”
by Mel, Nottm
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 12:47PM
“Brenda and Peter, you're contradicting yourselves. How can the trams be over-crowded if, as you state, nobody uses them? What are they overcrowded with? If these people weren't on the tram then the traffic volume would escalate and Nottingham would be at a complete standstill.”
by David Carlton, Nottingham
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 12:00PM
“Brenda, Peter and John. Just a thought but would not the answer to your concern about overcrowded trams be more trams and more tram lines?”
by Chris, Nottingham
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 11:59AM
“Hang on - no one's saying that the roads are so congested we oughtn't use them - people are saying build more! Improve them!
Funny how the opposite seems to work for trams in some people's opinions.”
by John, Chilwell
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 11:54AM
“Is what we in BCBRA have said all along. The trams are simply no use to us whatsoever as you can't get on them - too many people. It has proved a complete white elephant which no-one can use.”
by Peter Boyd, West Bridgford
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 11:42AM
“I agree with Brenda the trams do always seem very crowded and I wonder whether it isn¿t time to consider whether this type of transport is no longer of use.”
by Dave, Nottingham
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 11:34AM
“Roads and railways don't mix, and this is the sort of thing that will happen when you try and mix them.”
by H, WB
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 10:21AM
“Brenda, 'the trams are always overcrowded'. Think you've just proved the case for the pro-trammers.
Why close down something that is so successful, and why would you block expansion when it's been proved to succeed?”
by Brenda Harecourt, Compton Acres
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 9:40AM
“Lets get the Tories in and get this tram line closed down. The trams are always very overcrowded and the line is just not needed.”
by Martyn, Hucknall
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 9:28AM
“All I am saying is, this area in particular is very poorly signed, and with the large metal sheets on your left covering the new museum it is easily done. A barrier system would be the best way to stop it happening.”