traffic engineers

[Wwallace67]

It is ironic that the mass transit/pedestrian/bicycle social engineers look as though they haven't walked more than 1/2 mile in 10 years, let alone ride a bicycle.

[sawboss711]

Let me preface my comments by saying they are based on the information you provided. I am a Civil Engineer in the Transportation discipline. Traffic studies can be based on existing conditions, or proposed future conditions. I'll use the example of a weather forecast...the storm may not be in a particular area, but surrounding conditions lead the meteorologist to make predictions, that a storm will be coming. He also qualifies his predictions with probability..in other words he mentions..

[sawboss711]

the "percent chance" or this storm occurring. Traffic studies are undertaken in a similar manner in that engineers use existing conditions, and make some educated assumptions when they conduct studies. The Light Rail Transit Corridor may not be in place, but it has to be taken into consideration when analyzing the required magnitude of University Avenue construction needed to support the LRT corridor. Probability and statistics plays a big role in their work.

[sawboss711]

Engineering is applied science. We have the monumental task of building infrastructure to support current and future development in a safe manner. The need for infrastructure may not be realized for 5-10 years, but future real estate costs, and economic conditions may make it cheaper and more feasible to put the infrastructure in now.

[747K]

Not sure? Is there more that should have said? Is there more video of this?

[centralcorridor]

The traffic engineers are conducting a study of the NW quadrant of the central corridor between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The study presumes that LRT on University Ave. is "in place" even though LRT on University Ave. does not now, and will not anytime soon, exist.