Petru S. ๐๐ฆ๐ฒ
@sofio.bsky.social
He/Him | NU 2028 (civil engineering)! | Toole Design alum | *Posts/Likes/Etc. reflect my own views*
Reposted by Petru S. ๐๐ฆ๐ฒ
Actual causes of the US road safety crisis:
๐น Car bloat
๐น Failure to enforce traffic laws
๐น Fast urban roads
๐น Suburbanization of poverty/jobs
Blaming smartphones is lazy thinking.
๐น Car bloat
๐น Failure to enforce traffic laws
๐น Fast urban roads
๐น Suburbanization of poverty/jobs
Blaming smartphones is lazy thinking.
US Traffic Safety Is Getting Worse, While Other Countries Improve
The rising rate of road deaths in the US continues to defy global trends. Hereโs what traffic planners in other nations could teach their American counterparts.
www.bloomberg.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Actual causes of the US road safety crisis:
๐น Car bloat
๐น Failure to enforce traffic laws
๐น Fast urban roads
๐น Suburbanization of poverty/jobs
Blaming smartphones is lazy thinking.
๐น Car bloat
๐น Failure to enforce traffic laws
๐น Fast urban roads
๐น Suburbanization of poverty/jobs
Blaming smartphones is lazy thinking.
Reposted by Petru S. ๐๐ฆ๐ฒ
Come! Talk with me and other staff about this project on Wednesday evening!
The Broadway Safety Improvement Project design feedback survey is now open.
Learn more about the proposed design for Section C near the high school and main library, or join us at the Open House on January 7, 6โ8 PM at the High School.
More info: https://camb.ma/4lXptsf.
Learn more about the proposed design for Section C near the high school and main library, or join us at the Open House on January 7, 6โ8 PM at the High School.
More info: https://camb.ma/4lXptsf.
January 5, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Come! Talk with me and other staff about this project on Wednesday evening!
Arlington is really working to reduce speeding on Lake street.
โ Speed limit is now 25 instead of 30
โ 25 MPH reminder signs installed
โ Signal at Minuteman now has pedestrian recall for the trail so the signal gives vehicles red more often (and provides less delay for trail users)
โ Speed limit is now 25 instead of 30
โ 25 MPH reminder signs installed
โ Signal at Minuteman now has pedestrian recall for the trail so the signal gives vehicles red more often (and provides less delay for trail users)
January 4, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Arlington is really working to reduce speeding on Lake street.
โ Speed limit is now 25 instead of 30
โ 25 MPH reminder signs installed
โ Signal at Minuteman now has pedestrian recall for the trail so the signal gives vehicles red more often (and provides less delay for trail users)
โ Speed limit is now 25 instead of 30
โ 25 MPH reminder signs installed
โ Signal at Minuteman now has pedestrian recall for the trail so the signal gives vehicles red more often (and provides less delay for trail users)
Iโm mixed on those. I see the benefit I suppose but at that point you should just provide a protected pedestrian crossing
January 4, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Iโm mixed on those. I see the benefit I suppose but at that point you should just provide a protected pedestrian crossing
True. Hate the salt makes it so hard to read pavement markings
January 3, 2026 at 9:47 PM
True. Hate the salt makes it so hard to read pavement markings
Loving Arlingtonโs newest RRFB crosswalks that come with this white light that illuminates the crosswalk and pedestrian when the button is pressed. Makes the crossing so much more visible!
January 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Loving Arlingtonโs newest RRFB crosswalks that come with this white light that illuminates the crosswalk and pedestrian when the button is pressed. Makes the crossing so much more visible!
Totally agree. Something Iโve prioritized in designing signals is adding that in when we canโt make protected crossings. Expect more this year (:
January 3, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Totally agree. Something Iโve prioritized in designing signals is adding that in when we canโt make protected crossings. Expect more this year (:
Maybe a study at a signal first with base line turn on red. Then a red arrow. Then just a no turn on red sign. Then a red arrow and sign. Iโm guessing in that order compliance will increase, but maybe not? And maybe by varying values. Something Iโll be thinking about more in 2026!
January 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Maybe a study at a signal first with base line turn on red. Then a red arrow. Then just a no turn on red sign. Then a red arrow and sign. Iโm guessing in that order compliance will increase, but maybe not? And maybe by varying values. Something Iโll be thinking about more in 2026!
Iโm curious about this and maybe will look into this for future projects. Red arrows communicating no turn on red may have some advantages and could be useful at signals where no turn on red compliance is especially poor. Would love to study this further.
January 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Iโm curious about this and maybe will look into this for future projects. Red arrows communicating no turn on red may have some advantages and could be useful at signals where no turn on red compliance is especially poor. Would love to study this further.
Witnessing a funny phenomenon on Hammond Pond Parkway today.
I saw more or the same level of drivers wait at this red arrow without a No Turn on Red sign as I did see wait for the no turn on red sign.
Thereโs something psychological about a red arrow that is stronger than a sign.
I saw more or the same level of drivers wait at this red arrow without a No Turn on Red sign as I did see wait for the no turn on red sign.
Thereโs something psychological about a red arrow that is stronger than a sign.
January 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Witnessing a funny phenomenon on Hammond Pond Parkway today.
I saw more or the same level of drivers wait at this red arrow without a No Turn on Red sign as I did see wait for the no turn on red sign.
Thereโs something psychological about a red arrow that is stronger than a sign.
I saw more or the same level of drivers wait at this red arrow without a No Turn on Red sign as I did see wait for the no turn on red sign.
Thereโs something psychological about a red arrow that is stronger than a sign.
Iโm sure you looked into this too, but I remember seeing an article that Tesla employees were told to ignore complaints about Tesla FSD ignoring โNo Turn on Redโ and โNo U-Turnโ signs as well. Itโs unbelievable how this system is permitted.
January 2, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Iโm sure you looked into this too, but I remember seeing an article that Tesla employees were told to ignore complaints about Tesla FSD ignoring โNo Turn on Redโ and โNo U-Turnโ signs as well. Itโs unbelievable how this system is permitted.
Reposted by Petru S. ๐๐ฆ๐ฒ
Cars are now being programmed to violate traffic rules. What could go wrong?
Me, in @fastcompany.com. (no paywall)
๐งต
Me, in @fastcompany.com. (no paywall)
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Teslaโs โMad Max modeโ points to a big problem for self-driving cars
Mad Max mode exposes a risk for AV innovation. To stay competitive, computer-powered cars are emulating human drivers.
www.fastcompany.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Cars are now being programmed to violate traffic rules. What could go wrong?
Me, in @fastcompany.com. (no paywall)
๐งต
Me, in @fastcompany.com. (no paywall)
๐งต
On foggy mornings like today, Iโm reminded of Americaโs lack of a rear fog light requirement. Cars in America are simply less safe than in Europe.
Itโs time we require cars to have rear fog lights for conditions like these. Makes no sense that only European cars require these safety features.
December 29, 2025 at 2:09 PM
On foggy mornings like today, Iโm reminded of Americaโs lack of a rear fog light requirement. Cars in America are simply less safe than in Europe.
Reposted by Petru S. ๐๐ฆ๐ฒ
SUVs and big Utes "are 44 per cent more likely to kill an adult pedestrian or cyclist in a crash compared with a sedan, and 82 per cent more likely to kill a child" www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Pedestrian fatalities reach 17-year-high. This trend could be why
Fifty-one pedestrians had been killed on the stateโs roads this year as of Saturday โ the most in any calendar year since 2008.
www.theage.com.au
December 27, 2025 at 9:30 PM
SUVs and big Utes "are 44 per cent more likely to kill an adult pedestrian or cyclist in a crash compared with a sedan, and 82 per cent more likely to kill a child" www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
EV4 would have been nice. EV3 is just another SUV. Iโd rather have something cheaper in the sedan/hatch market to oppose SUVs!
December 27, 2025 at 11:31 PM
EV4 would have been nice. EV3 is just another SUV. Iโd rather have something cheaper in the sedan/hatch market to oppose SUVs!
Yes, more dials and knobs please! I hate cars where you need to go into the screen to adjust your climate controls or defrosters
December 27, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Yes, more dials and knobs please! I hate cars where you need to go into the screen to adjust your climate controls or defrosters
Very thoughtful blog, Joan!
December 25, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Very thoughtful blog, Joan!
This is a bad time of year to install flex posts because the epoxy needed to stick them in has a harder time being applied and it looks like they were in a rush to get it installed as soon as possible. Hoping next year they can try again in warmer weather and the should stick better.
December 23, 2025 at 7:55 PM
This is a bad time of year to install flex posts because the epoxy needed to stick them in has a harder time being applied and it looks like they were in a rush to get it installed as soon as possible. Hoping next year they can try again in warmer weather and the should stick better.
Can anyone read this?
Cc @massdot.bsky.social please replace the no turn on red sign at concord turnpike and park ave in Arlington!
Cc @massdot.bsky.social please replace the no turn on red sign at concord turnpike and park ave in Arlington!
December 20, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Can anyone read this?
Cc @massdot.bsky.social please replace the no turn on red sign at concord turnpike and park ave in Arlington!
Cc @massdot.bsky.social please replace the no turn on red sign at concord turnpike and park ave in Arlington!
These are not automated enforcement cameras. They only read licenses plates. Itโs important to distinguish the difference between the two.
December 20, 2025 at 12:30 AM
These are not automated enforcement cameras. They only read licenses plates. Itโs important to distinguish the difference between the two.
Arlingtonโs first โraised crossingโ. It happened by accident while installing new curb cuts, but itโs a happy one IMO! Excited to see more in the future with Mass and Appleton and others coming soon.
December 19, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Arlingtonโs first โraised crossingโ. It happened by accident while installing new curb cuts, but itโs a happy one IMO! Excited to see more in the future with Mass and Appleton and others coming soon.
I was just in an ID4 yesterday and was impressed by that vehicle. I think those are selling well, but the lease deals on them are wicked good so it makes sense.
December 19, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I was just in an ID4 yesterday and was impressed by that vehicle. I think those are selling well, but the lease deals on them are wicked good so it makes sense.
When turners go last and know theyโre about to get a green theyโre more likely to obey!
December 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
When turners go last and know theyโre about to get a green theyโre more likely to obey!