Quote:
Originally Posted by Cirrus
You could be right, although there definitely are plenty that just run right up against the curb their whole length. Regardless, I wanted to use that picture to point out the reasons and benefits. If the last sentence upsets you then pretend it isn't there.
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LOL. No, it doesn't "upset" me. I just find it funny that you're giving credit to Portland for not having it's streetcar shift lanes around stops when no streetcar system anywhere in the world shifts lanes around stops. I don't even see how that would be possible. How would the streetcar avoid colliding with cars in the other lane if it were forced to switch lanes? There would be multiple streetcar-car collisions per day, especially in heavy traffic. As for the bulb-outs, is that really better than running against the curb (I'm only talking for streetcars, not buses)? Bulb outs are where the sidewalk cuts into a parking lane. That means cars have to traverse the streetcar lane to get in and out of the parking lane, which can lead to collisions or cars impeding streetcars in heavy traffic if the driver has to wait for a clearing to get out of the parking lane. The only real benefit to bulb outs is that the lane will be a parking lane 24/7, and cannot be turned into a general traffic lane during peak hours as regular parking lanes usually are.