March 15, 2002
Diamond Drive: an independent study
I have been commuting along the Diamond Drive/Pajarito Road route for more than 16 years and have witnessed just about every type of driving condition or mishap. With the recent lane modification to the southern section of Diamond Drive and the effect it has on commuters, and, in the true spirit of research, I had to initiate my own study of what appears to help and what does not, and what can be done further to make our commute as smooth as possible.
First, I hope that what exists is not the final configuration of this section. An entire through lane each way was removed for the sake of a center left turn lane. The latter was sorely needed, but removing the former to do so was definitely a backward step. In a Feb. 6 Reader's Forum Q&A response, Crystal Rodarte of FWO-UI mentions "future plans for Diamond Drive." What are these plans? Are they for a continuous five-lane span along this entire section? If so, it should be done.
For now, certain things can be done by commuters to alleviate the jams. The morning backup begins north of the Jemez Road intersection, where people continue to stay in the left lane in very disproportionate numbers (note again the Feb. 6 Q&A question). This isn't so bad if it weren't for one big factor. The left turn lane traffic usually blocks those in the left through lane. The left turn lane itself can't be made much longer in length, so the only real solution is to get into the right lane early. It doesn't hurt; it works, and don't feel guilty doing so. You will help the situation. Today, as I cruised in the right lane, I found the left through lane empty adjacent to the left turn lane due to this problem. At least 10 vehicles were blocked.
Now, let's address the merging problem. After several weeks of observing, several factors emerge regarding the ability to perform this function smoothly and quickly. First, be calm. Second, please take your turn; alternate vehicles. Third, once you are through the merge, get moving. Someone going 20-25 mph after the merge with six or seven car lengths in front of them is not helping the traffic flow. Again today, I had the pleasure of following an Aramark food catering truck this entire stretch going 25 mph.
Here's a suggestion to help begin merging. For the first cars in line at the traffic light, the car on the right should be the first into the merge. Why? Simply that, while stopped, the car on the right is already forward by about one car length. Use this initial spacing to an advantage.
In review: Use the right lane. Be calm. Alternate vehicles into the merge. Move on without delay. Perhaps by using more of the right lane, we can block traffic going to Technical Area 3, S-Site, etc., thus winning their sympathy to our plight. Don't count on it.
--Jerry Foropoulos, Jr.