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Message |
    
Squeaky Wheel
Citizen
Username: Squeaky_wheel
Post Number: 42
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 8:12 pm: | 
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Please respond to this important township traffic calming needs survey by March 24th.
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"The Township of Maplewood recognizes the importance of having safe roads throughout the community. An efficient roadway system is important to the quality of life desired by citizens and insures continued economic vitality. Our goal is to ensure that drivers adhere to local laws and regulations to create a safe environment for automobile passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Township is conducting a survey to identify locations in need of traffic calming measures and/or traffic safety improvements. The purpose of traffic calming is to reduce the speed and volume of traffic to acceptable levels, based on standards of normal use, while maintaining an overall efficient transportation system.
The intent of this survey is to obtain input from residents and civic groups to assist in the identification of these locations, the extent of the concerns and possible corrective measures.
The key objectives of this study are:
Identify locations, along with their respective deficiencies, within the Township in need of traffic calming measures and/or traffic safety improvements.
Identify possible corrective measures to address the identified deficiencies.
Involve community stakeholders in the identification of deficiencies and possible corrective measures and throughout the entire study, design and construction process.
Provide corrective measures that are pedestrian and bicyclist friendly.
Provide corrective measures that are appropriately scaled and contribute to the quality of life and the sense of place.
Coordinate with other municipal departments such as fire, police, emergency and parks and non-municipal agencies such as NJ Transit to allow for the proper access and circulation of their vehicles.
Avoid relocating the traffic problem to another street or section of the Township.
Ensure that the plan is compatible with other plans within the Township.
Develop a plan that is cost effective and results in minimal physical impact to the surrounding areas." |
Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4146
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 8:24 pm: |
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two tips for the Township of Maplewood
(yes, I have filled this out)
Someone is going to get hurt by a car accident at the corner of Cedar and Ridgewood (I think it is called "washington square") on a Saturday afternoon very soon. Every move made by a car there is blind to on coming traffic.
Also. On a Sunday. There is going to be a car accident on Ridgewood in front of one of the two Churches that have worshipers park on both sides of the street.
but I hope I am wrong..... |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1076
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 9:16 pm: |
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I am so with you on those points Buzz....
I am very near the Washington Square intersection and I have had my side-view mirror flipped back by brushing a church goer's car on a Sunday on Ridgewood. It is reduced to one lane traffic!
I won't even discuss the child that popped out from between cars - on his bike! |
GSP142
Citizen
Username: Gsp142
Post Number: 86
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 11:34 pm: |
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Maybe this should also be posted in "Mostly Maplewood", as well, so more people see it, especially since it's a Township-related matter? |
johnny
Citizen
Username: Johnny
Post Number: 1591
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 2:23 am: |
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How about some police enforcement to calm traffic? |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 451
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:15 pm: |
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Alot of people use Ridgewood Speedway to walk to-from town...I'm waiting for a pedestrian to get struck, particularly at the S-turn under the Railroad Bridge. |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3112
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:44 pm: |
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Wish the town would enforce setbacks and sightlines for trees and bushes at intersections on Ridgewood and Wyoming. There are several streets where trees or bushes make it impossible to see oncoming cars as you try to turn onto Ridgewood. You see cars creeping out halfway into traffic just to get a view of what is coming at them.
p.s. I reported these to the Town previously, and was told that they Town would not do anything about them. Same when a neighbor put a large new pine tree right at the edge of his corner lot--phone call to Town and told that it was not an issue, regardless that visibility is near zero at that corner now. So, I hope that this survey is for real, and not for show. |
Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4152
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:55 pm: |
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They said it wasn't an issue? Whaaaa?
Now. I realize that this isn't as big of an issue, as say, oh - the recent shooting on Springfield Ave. BUT.....there are so SO many kids in this town and the problems stated above are real and an issue.
I don't expect to have a member of our EXELENT law enforcement community sitting on the corner of Cedar and Ridgewood. BUT....A speed bump, some no parking signs and maybe one of those "you are going this fast" signs would do the trick.
Now that I think of it. There is parking enforcement and law enforcement.... I do want some of the parking enforcement people to go look at the cars near the shops on Ridgewood and Cedar. Many violations happening every Saturday.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12922
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:56 pm: |
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What recourse do we have when a violation exists and the town doesn't do anything? And what about when the town STATES that it won't do anything? I suspect we're not in our rights to cut back the bush or tree, but there ought to be something we can do.
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Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4153
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:57 pm: |
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Many times I have said, "I am dying for a Marty's sub". I just don't want to die getting one.
(by the way. they are to die for IMO. but I love life more than a sweet sweet sub) |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 454
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 2:20 pm: |
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I second marty's as an under-appreciated destination for Subs and Pizza....plus they deliver! |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3117
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 10:48 pm: |
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I have contemplated brass spikes driven into tree trunks, but would never do it. |
usmale78
Citizen
Username: Usmale78
Post Number: 106
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 7:29 am: |
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Ever try to navigate around the area of Columbia when the little gems are stopped in the middle of the street? I wonder if they are comparing notes on a math test. Dont even think about beeping or rolling down the window and saying something. They no longer just salute you. |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2664
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
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What I'd like to see:
Hand out tickets on ridgewood for speeding every single day.
It's one and a half lousy miles from S Orange to the train overpass. Can't people resist the urge to do 45 mph? |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3119
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 11:58 am: |
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Wyoming is equally as bad, as is Prospect, Parker, and basically every major through street (except Valley and Springfield because of lights and congestion). I thought I saw one car with all four wheels off the ground coming over the rise on Jefferson the other day--big Expedition.
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Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1712
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 12:33 pm: |
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Themp -
Quote:Hand out tickets on ridgewood for speeding every single day.
YES! YES! YES!
And double fines in a school zone.
I've talked to TC members, various police officers, I've been complaining about the speeding on RIdgewood for 5 years now and nothing has improved.
I'm sure that 2 days of speeding tickets would solve the problem.
And if the town wants to be "nice" try 2 weeks of warnings w/out a fine, and after that the word will get out that if you speed on Ridgewood you will pay a fine + get points on your license.
I keep downloading the traffic calming file and it comes through as goobldygook symbols.
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Squeaky Wheel
Citizen
Username: Squeaky_wheel
Post Number: 44
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 1:50 pm: |
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The petition is posted on the homepage of the Maplewood Township website:
http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/ |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3342
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:12 am: |
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It's not only the main thoroughfares in town, it's just about every street. A regular, systematic speed enforcement program would go a long way to solving all kinds of problems, and probably make the town a pretty penny at the same time!
I'm downloading this and filling it out, and will also do my best to get the word out to as many people as I know to fill it out as well.
However, I think my answer to every question will be, "give out tickets on every street in town to people who are speeding--UNTIL THEY STOP SPEEDING! |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4570
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:36 am: |
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How about just hand out $100 bills to people who are NOT speeding. Then people will slow down in hopes of getting $100.
(Positive Reinforcement Training approach ) |
train 6406
Citizen
Username: Suburban
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 8:14 pm: |
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Agree with WendyP, the problem is town-wide, and have filled out the petition in great detail.
Specifically noted area surrounding Maplecrest Park where pedestrians (& specifically children) cross the area streets in order to get back & forth to the park and speeding in commonplace.
Eats Shoots & L, disagree that Springfield is not a trouble spot as it is not always congested and allows ample opportunity for speeding/reckless driving, which occurs with great frequency.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13181
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 8:16 pm: |
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I would like to know if fines can offset the cost of enforcement. We've been saying we could pay for cops who give citations if only they gave enough citations. Is that, in fact, true?
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wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2143
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 8:52 pm: |
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I believe the traffic calming survey is due tomorrow. Hope you all printed out your copy and get your comments in by tomorrow; fax is acceptable and the number is on the survey. I sent mine in a few days ago. And I seem to be in agreement with many of the above posters: enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3393
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 6:30 am: |
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Faxed mine in a few days ago too. And like you Wendy, while I identified a couple of serious problem areas that I experience in my life on a regular basis (including your street), I mostly indicated a need for better enforcement of speed limits--again and again and again. |
musicme
Citizen
Username: Musicme
Post Number: 1633
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:46 am: |
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Road Rage
I had an experience yesterday while on my way to Home Depot.
Coming down Springfield Ave at about 10 AM, I stopped to allow a large truck back into the auto parts parking lot. Traffic was stopped both ways and out of nowhere, a car pulls around traffic and gets in front of me, now between the truck and myself. The driver is quite irate, honking at the trucker who is getting help from a tow truck driver to get into the lot. The driver moves closer and closer each time the truck tries to manuever, all the while honking and yelling, and now the large truck cannot manuever. The tow truck driver and I shake our heads watching this.
Finally, the large truck driver gives up and pulls down the street to try a different approach. He is driving slowly, looking for a break in traffic for a street to pull into. The car driver meanwhile, is swerving from one side to the other about 4 feet from the truck's rear, trying to pass the truck on either side, still blowing his horn.
The truck finally turns into a road on the right and now the driver has open road in front of him. What does he do? He slowly drifts in traffic. I toot my horn. He jams on his brakes and opens his door and walks out, his car now blocking the lane. Traffic is solid on the other side and his door is open, there is no way around his angled car. He stomps over and yells that he too was stuck in all this mess, and when I start to reply he flies into a 200 mph rant of cursing asking if I want to F** with him. He takes a swipe at me through the open window, misses, but I grab his t-shirt, he then punches me in the head and knocks off my glasses, breaking them.
I have enough sense to roll up the window. He is then dissappointed and walks back to his car where he slowly drives off in the right-hand lane. I drive up in the left lane at the corner of Vauxhall and Springfield, where I have my left indicator on. He cuts in front of me from the right lane, making a left and waits in the gas station driveway, so I go straight thru the light towards home depot. I make a right into one of the neighborhood roads just to be sure this guy is not following me.
The road empties out back onto Vauxhall, now closer to Millburn. The car driver is now coming down Vauhall headed towards Millburn and sees me coming down the street. He cuts across traffic and tries to block the mouth of the street I'm on and hops out of his car. I'm able to just get by his car and as I'm driving by he gets one last kick in and dents the minivan.
I guess the guy was having a bad morning.
FYI, he was about 40, with close cropped black hair, and was driving a maroon sedan. I did not have the presence of mind (or the glasses) to get a plate #.
Is NJ traffic really this bad? |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3397
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:53 am: |
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Yowza, musicme. What a nightmare. You really should have gotten the plate number and filed an assault report with the police! That is so totally unacceptable--criminal even. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13190
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:01 am: |
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You should report the assault even though you don't have the license plate number!
Very sorry this happened to you.
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ken (the other one)
Citizen
Username: Ken
Post Number: 388
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 5:53 pm: |
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Did this happen in Union or Maplewood? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11072
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 3:23 pm: |
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Interestingly the automated radar gun was set up on Midland Blvd. over the weekend. This is the first time I have seen it anywhere but on one of the "main" streets. The MPD must be monitoring this site? |
Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4258
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 3:36 pm: |
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musicme, that is one crazy story.
I am sorry you had to go through that.
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Maplewood Traffic Calming Needs Survey