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The New Hotness

  • Traffic Signal Timing: Vassar Rd at Rt 9

    Our southbound bicycling routes take us through the intersection where Vassar Rd becomes NY Rt 9D at NY Rt 9. This is a large intersection:

    Rt 9 Vassar Rd SB - distances
    Rt 9 Vassar Rd SB – distances

    It’s worth noting that Rt 9D and Vassar Rd are also NYS Bicycle Rt 9., so bicycle traffic is expected, if not precisely welcomed.

    We’re traveling south on Vassar Rd, stopped in the right-hand lane (in the upper right of the picture). Eventually, the signal turns green:

    Vassar Rd at Rt 9 - Green signal - 2020-06-21
    Vassar Rd at Rt 9 – Green signal – 2020-06-21

    The traffic to our left starts moving, we start pedaling, and ten seconds later the signal turns yellow:

    Vassar Rd at Rt 9 - Yellow signal at 10 sec - 2020-06-21
    Vassar Rd at Rt 9 – Yellow signal at 10 sec – 2020-06-21

    The traffic hasn’t cleared the intersection, either, but they’re moving faster than we are. The first distance marker on the map shows we’ve traveled 85 feet at an average 5.8 mph from a standing start.

    After another five seconds, we’ve traveled 80 more feet (at 11 mph!), almost the far side of the intersection. Which is a good thing, because the signals on Rt 9 have already turned green and vehicles are accelerating toward us.

    There’s no point in reporting this to NYS DOT, because they don’t care and definitely won’t adjust the signal timing just for bicycles.