[SDCBC] Gilman / I-5 interchange

[Brian Parent]

As far as I recall, the plan was to put a signal at SB Gilman and SB I5.
This *might* help when the signal is red, but what about when it is
green?  The exact same situation exists during the green phase.

I haven't done measurements, but if there is room for two right turn lanes,
plus one straight through lane, and no separate bike lane, (as Jon suggests)
that would help one problem, but create another.  The traffic from the other
direction (west/northbound Gilman) wanting to take the same SB IB onramp
would have a more difficult time getting a chance to turn left onto the 
SB I5 onramp.

Regardless of how many right turn only lanes there are, the proper
place for all traffic going straight through this intersection
(motorists and cyclists alike) is the straight through lane.  
Although the bike lane is to the left of the right turn only lane (RTOL)
this intersection, during the evening rush hour, creates a large temptation 
for motorists to turn right from the straight through lane.  This
contributes to the potential for right hooks, and is why the safest
position for cyclists is the center of the straight through lane.

There may still be the occassional overly aggressive motorist
who will attempt to pass the cyclist by moving into oncoming traffic
lanes, or the median, and still create the chance for a right hook, but
these will be far more rare than if the cyclist stays in the bike lane,
and when it does occur, the cyclist will have more room for
manuevering, and will be more likely to see it coming.

This may be a good place for a "sharrow" to help novice cyclists and motorists
understand that straight through cyclists belong in the center of the straight
through lane.  However, beware the potential downside, that motorists become 
trained to believe that cyclists are only allowed to take the center of a lane
when a sharrow exists.  Also, that paint is extra slippery when wet, and don't 
we have enough hazards to worry about without adding any?

Re:
> From: JonIsaacs at aol.com
> Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:38:42 EST
> To: sdcbc at bikesandiego.org
> Subject: Re: [SDCBC] Gilman / I-5 interchange
> 
> In a message dated 2/19/07 9:04:14 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
> j.eldon at sbcglobal.net writes:
> 
> > Jon, thanks for reminding everyone of the extreme hazard posed by the 
> > Gilman Dr. / I-5 interchange. The proper solution is to calm traffic and to square 
> > the intersection, eliminating the high-speed diverge for cars transitioning 
> > from s/b Gilman to s/b I-5. As you so aptly observe, simply positioning 
> > oneself vehicularly and properly does not prevent some idiot from right-hooking 
> > from the center divide. 
> >  
> > John E.
> > 
> ----
> John:
> 
> In my view, this interchange is a classic example of how Bicycle Lanes can be 
> counterproductive, self defeating.  If there were no bicycle lane, then the 
> would be room for a straight through lane and two right turn lanes for getting 
> on I-5.  Cyclists take the left lane and all is well.
> 
> As it is, the presence of the Bike Lane means there is only one right turn 
> lane to I-5 so many impatient motorists make the illegal right turn across the 
> Bike Lane so the Bike Lane is not a safe place to ride.   It's a real Catch 22 
> and the worst part is that the presence of the Bike Lane suggests that it is a 
> safe place to ride.  One neighbor still rides in the bike lane in rush hour 
> traffic even though he was hit by a car there.  :-(
> 
> Solutions:  
> 
> Five or more years ago, CalTrans told us at a UCSD Pedal Club meeting that 
> they were working on a solution and that it would take about a year and a half.. 
>  So far no action.  
> 
> Traffic calming is good, no bike lane is good, enforcement is good.  I think 
> a 25mph speed limit on Gilman is a good start.  Maybe a stoplight is the right 
> solution, it certainly calms traffic and could keep people from making that 
> right turn.  
> 
> In the past I have brought the problem of motorists turning right across the 
> Bike Lane to the attention of the SDPD and there has been some action. Once 
> there were 5 motorcycle officers there, 1 pulling people over, 4 writing 
> tickets.  Given the budget problems of the SDPD, it seems writing tickets at SB 
> Gilman to SB I-5 would be a real money-maker.  4 officer writing tickets one right 
> after the other is like pulling fish out of a net...
> 
> Anyway, I would like to see something happen with this interchange, if anyone 
> from Cal Trans or the City is reading this, hey what's up? when is something 
> going to happen?  
> 
> Jon Isaacs

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