This intersection is hazardous for a number of reasons: Turning west from Vulcan S to Chesterfield, it's very easy not to notice that cars are also turning left from Vulcan N to Chesterfield, because you are in the little right-hand turn lane and focussed on the constant pedestrian traffic crossing east on Vulcan. Also, it's extremely easy to get stranded on the railroad tracks, especially if you are unfamiliar with the intersection. They really need some way to emphasize that only 2 ( or maybe 3 ) cars can be on either side of the RR tracks at one time. Either a sign that says "2 Cars Max In Front of RR tracks", or something on the road that alerts drivers that this is a hazard. This has been a problem for years. Cars have been hit by the train at this intersection because of this problem.
It looks like the pickup truck was southbound on San Elijo when the northbound car turned left in front ot it. Pretty straightforward failure to yield accident. The city recently received a grant to upgrade the crossing and whole intersection but this could happen anywhere that doesn't have left-turn only arrows. I agree with 1:21 PM that the actually crossing gives me the willies as cars stop with their front/rears hanging over the tracks. If they get hit vehicle parts will go flying hitting the surrounding cars. Not to memtion potential injury and death. I don't know if the Chesterfield/San Elijo intersection itself is dangerous.
Is summer over yet...dam non-locals don't know how to drive in this intersection! :-) Try crossing the street on foot with the green light as a whole stream of cars keep coming around the corner, it is a poorly designed intersection.
Tricky intersection for sure. And hard to see upcoming traffic when making a left from S. Vulcan onto Chesterfield. All intersections are dangerous and where most accidents happen, but maybe four way stop signs would work better here? A roundabout would not unless they buried the train. This is exactly the kind of intersection the US Dept of Transportation discourages putting roundabouts at.
Tricky intersection for sure. And hard to see upcoming traffic when making a left from S. Vulcan onto Chesterfield. All intersections are dangerous and where most accidents happen, but maybe four way stop signs would work better here? A roundabout would not unless they buried the train. This is exactly the kind of intersection the US Dept of Transportation discourages putting roundabouts at.
We can thank Jerome Stocks, Gaspar and Barth for this- the gang of three have been pushing stack and pack to increase traffic and pollution for years- it's no suprise more accidents are happening around town as the community character changes. We can look for more of these accidents as Shaffer and kranz push housing and paid parking at the NTCD land on San Elijo- at least until the State and the Orwellian Leaders stop letting us use our cars by taxing and monitoring our vehicles as is now being discussed.
I live up the hill on Birmingham since 1983. Even then, this intersection was dangerous, in my opinion. People are turning right onto Chesterfield from PCH, and keep going even after the light on Chesterfield turns red. This then backs up the cars using the left hand turn lane from PCH onto Cherfield. Added to this are pedestrians who often take their sweet time crossing the street. It's a mess for sure. I have no idea what could make it better, but I do know there are probably some smart engineers out there that can figure it out. They don't work for our City, but they are out there.
I think there are plans to change this intersection as part of the coastal rail trail development. However, there is no good solution for this, other than grade separation of the tracks. This is far too busy an intersection to have an at grade crossing. The best solution would be to underground the train going under the lagoon (allowing the water to flow - building a new bridge to go over the lagoon for 101 where they tracks are now, and having a cul de sac at restaurant row) and through Cardiff, all the way to Leucadia. . You could build a wonderful park in the right of way. This would be a $300M proposition and it would have to be funding by federal money (who else has that kind of money), and by selling rights to develop some land in the right of way (with height, bulk, mass restrictions. But, it takes visionary leadership to push for this kind of project, and a lot of lobbying and patience. Ain't going to happen. A cheaper, but still very expensive, and likely unaffordable solution is to trench the tracks.
I have not thought about this is great detail. But, I really wish we had visionary leadership that would think about these things. The right of way is a great asset, if it can be used for public good.
I can see 2 signs that say left turn yield on green in this photo. If only people would just pay attention and stop texting.
ReplyDeleteThis intersection is hazardous for a number of reasons: Turning west from Vulcan S to Chesterfield, it's very easy not to notice that cars are also turning left from Vulcan N to Chesterfield, because you are in the little right-hand turn lane and focussed on the constant pedestrian traffic crossing east on Vulcan. Also, it's extremely easy to get stranded on the railroad tracks, especially if you are unfamiliar with the intersection. They really need some way to emphasize that only 2 ( or maybe 3 ) cars can be on either side of the RR tracks at one time. Either a sign that says "2 Cars Max In Front of RR tracks", or something on the road that alerts drivers that this is a hazard. This has been a problem for years. Cars have been hit by the train at this intersection because of this problem.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the pickup truck was southbound on San Elijo when the northbound car turned left in front ot it. Pretty straightforward failure to yield accident. The city recently received a grant to upgrade the crossing and whole intersection but this could happen anywhere that doesn't have left-turn only arrows. I agree with 1:21 PM that the actually crossing gives me the willies as cars stop with their front/rears hanging over the tracks. If they get hit vehicle parts will go flying hitting the surrounding cars. Not to memtion potential injury and death. I don't know if the Chesterfield/San Elijo intersection itself is dangerous.
ReplyDeleteIs summer over yet...dam non-locals don't know how to drive in this intersection! :-)
ReplyDeleteTry crossing the street on foot with the green light as a whole stream of cars keep coming around the corner, it is a poorly designed intersection.
Tricky intersection for sure. And hard to see upcoming traffic when making a left from S. Vulcan onto Chesterfield. All intersections are dangerous and where most accidents happen, but maybe four way stop signs would work better here? A roundabout would not unless they buried the train. This is exactly the kind of intersection the US Dept of Transportation discourages putting roundabouts at.
ReplyDeleteTricky intersection for sure. And hard to see upcoming traffic when making a left from S. Vulcan onto Chesterfield. All intersections are dangerous and where most accidents happen, but maybe four way stop signs would work better here? A roundabout would not unless they buried the train. This is exactly the kind of intersection the US Dept of Transportation discourages putting roundabouts at.
ReplyDeleteTry D St. and the Coast Hwy - total pandemonium in the Summer. Moonlight Beach is another chaos zone.
ReplyDeleteWe can thank Jerome Stocks, Gaspar and Barth for this- the gang of three have been pushing stack and pack to increase traffic and pollution for years- it's no suprise more accidents are happening around town as the community character changes. We can look for more of these accidents as Shaffer and kranz push housing and paid parking at the NTCD land on San Elijo- at least until the State and the Orwellian Leaders stop letting us use our cars by taxing and monitoring our vehicles as is now being discussed.
ReplyDeleteI live up the hill on Birmingham since 1983. Even then, this intersection was dangerous, in my opinion. People are turning right onto Chesterfield from PCH, and keep going even after the light on Chesterfield turns red. This then backs up the cars using the left hand turn lane from PCH onto Cherfield. Added to this are pedestrians who often take their sweet time crossing the street. It's a mess for sure. I have no idea what could make it better, but I do know there are probably some smart engineers out there that can figure it out. They don't work for our City, but they are out there.
ReplyDeleteI think there are plans to change this intersection as part of the coastal rail trail development. However, there is no good solution for this, other than grade separation of the tracks. This is far too busy an intersection to have an at grade crossing. The best solution would be to underground the train going under the lagoon (allowing the water to flow - building a new bridge to go over the lagoon for 101 where they tracks are now, and having a cul de sac at restaurant row) and through Cardiff, all the way to Leucadia. . You could build a wonderful park in the right of way. This would be a $300M proposition and it would have to be funding by federal money (who else has that kind of money), and by selling rights to develop some land in the right of way (with height, bulk, mass restrictions. But, it takes visionary leadership to push for this kind of project, and a lot of lobbying and patience. Ain't going to happen. A cheaper, but still very expensive, and likely unaffordable solution is to trench the tracks.
ReplyDeleteI have not thought about this is great detail. But, I really wish we had visionary leadership that would think about these things. The right of way is a great asset, if it can be used for public good.
The money has been spent in Afghanistan.....
DeleteA literal pipe dream.
Delete