Some simple research done by Houston Lefts has shown some problems with the design of the METRORail along Fannin St by the Texas Medical Center (TMC).
1. The Houston Lefts - Shared Left hand turn lanes.
a. the signals above the entrances to the Houston Lefts isn't is an optimal
viewing area, i.e. too high, and not enough forewarning and not clear..
b. if Houston Left is occupied by the METRORail, what is the vehicle traffic to do.
If they proceed to next Houston Left and allowed to enter, at most of them
U-Turns are not allowed.
c. short entrance area to Houston Left.
2. Traffic on Fannin St.
a. the traffic on Fannin St. is often stopped for vehicles making right turns into
parking garages, and the delay entering them spills over onto the street.
b. traffic backing up on Fannin trying to leave area. i.e. Turning onto University.
c. thru traffic using Fannin
Several Solution
1. Remove Houston Lefts
Take the shared METRORail and vehicle lane away.
a. Make Fannin St. between Holcombe Blvd. and N MacGregor Way single
lanes in each direction.
i) this would allow for left hand turn lanes and right hand shoulders for
cars queuing to make rights and allow for areas for busses to stop.
Also allowing for traffic signal to be timed as they are now.
ii) this would discourage traffic from using Fannin as a thru street. Main
Street is a short block to the west which is more suitable to thru
traffic
iii) this would encourage traffic to leave Fannin as soon as possible
b. Have left hand turns made from left hand travel lane
i) this would remove traffic from the Houston Lefts.
ii) eliminate U-Turn problem
iii) would require traffic lights to be retimed to allows thru and turning
traffic to run at the same time while opposing traffic is stopped
c. Eliminate all left hand turns between Holcombe and N MacGregor on
Fannin St. (less disirable as people would need to travel much further)
i) Put in jughandles at N MacGregor, and possibly one at John
Freeman. Holcombe already has a U-Turn installed.
ii) This would eliminate a cycle on all traffic lights (no left turn cycle).
2. Keep Houston Lefts, but better design signaling and entrances.
a. Remove confusing Red X and Green Arrow
i) Replace with proper traffic control device. X's and Arrows work fine
where lanes will be closed for long periods of time (such as on a
bridge, where in the morning rush has 3 lanes inbound, 2 out, and
the evening rush as 3 out, and 2 in), but not for quick on the spot
traffic control
b. Remove White Domes along Houston Lefts (not ROW).
i) With there being only a short area to enter, vehicles must make a
quick decision to enter the turn lane or not. With the domes
removed, the driver can take extra seconds to observe the warning
devices and look for the METRORail
c. Add extra signal devices.
i) We would like to see one on a post in line with the white domes and
at eye level. Another addition could be light n the pavement
changing to a red or yellow line signaling traffic is not allowed to
enter.
We believe that solution #1a is the best solution to this problem. We feel that this will have the greatest chance of reducing accidents along Fannin St. We feel that this solution is in the best interests for the Public and the METRORail.
