I complained when it sat and I'll complain when its done - PhillyBlog

sam · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 06:33 PM

2nd St. is now nice and smooth.....but what the f*** is up with the parking spaces!!?!?!? Good luck trying to park in Rush Hour traffic!?!?!? In order to park, you have to pull out into the lane next to you and back in. What kind of moron designed this? 2nd St. should be a 2-way st. from Spring Garden to Girard with a planted island in the middle and parallel parking spaces. I have heard this was discussed at the NLNA in the past. This would also keep alot of traffic off the smaller side streets. If the City can't plan 2nd St. I can't wait to see the waterfront in 5 years.

Mixiboi · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 12:20 AM

As from someone else, in another palce:

Quote:

The Streets Dept. acknowledges that this type of parking seems strange at first glance. However, they say that it's actually safer because the back-in required to pull in is not nearly as dangerous as the back-out required to pull out under the old system. And of course the new pull-out method for exiting the space is also much safer because the driver is turned around and therefore has much better visibility of oncoming street traffic.

In addition, the back-in is a traffic calming measure, precisely for the reason K cites (although it is of course, as K says, also a potential inconvenience - but this is the case with many traffic-calming measures).

The new system is also safer because it nearly eliminates the possibility of a particular dangerous situation: with the old system, someone could come barrelling down 2nd St in the righthand land and try to make a fast left into a parking space on the lefhand side (or vice-versa). This could be because they're unaware that it's two lanes, or because they're simply not paying attention or are so excited about finding a space that they'll do anything to get it. If another car is already travelling down the left lane, it will hit the parking car broadside, with horrible results - which I had the misfortune to witness (from a safe distance) once.

Every traffic arrangement has its plusses and minuses, and this one's certainly not perfect. But I think it does represent an improvement over the old way. However, if it turns out to be worse, we can always get the lines repainted in the old configuration.

Best,
Matt
---
Get on the NLNA email list - email me to subscribe!

Matt Ruben
President, Board of Directors
Northern Liberties Neighbors Association
733 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-627-NLNA; www.nlna.org
matt.ruben@nlna.org

Moronic? Maybe, but so are the peopel who use 2nd street as the Indy 500.

The turning 2nd St 2-way north of Spring Garden is still in planning stages....So don't expect it to change till 2nd St is the new Old City.

blackheart · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam

2nd St. is now nice and smooth.....but what the f*** is up with the parking spaces!!?!?!? Good luck trying to park in Rush Hour traffic!?!?!? In order to park, you have to pull out into the lane next to you and back in. What kind of moron designed this? 2nd St. should be a 2-way st. from Spring Garden to Girard with a planted island in the middle and parallel parking spaces. I have heard this was discussed at the NLNA in the past. This would also keep alot of traffic off the smaller side streets. If the City can't plan 2nd St. I can't wait to see the waterfront in 5 years.

Oh how I agree with you!!!!

brooke · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 11:13 AM

I went to The Tap last night and saw the new angled reverse parking. It's sure irritating to find a spot--as it's more difficult to see lights on the car as they angle away from you--and it's more irritating to back in whilst 3 cars have come to a screeching halt that are trying to use 2nd Street as the aforementioned drag strip. However, it is infinitely more easy to pull out. I was able to see how many people cannot back into a spot with any precision. Not sure what the overall benefit is there.

Talon1125 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-24-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooke

Not sure what the overall benefit is there.

More parking spaces.

lutton · #6 (**permalink**) 04-24-2006, 04:25 PM

The reverse angle parking allows much easier and safe exiting from the parking spot. Also, instead of having to creep along, peering around each successive truck, van and SUV for fear of passing an available spot, then having to back up past it again before pulling in, now you just stop and back into an available spot.

Yes, it could cause confusion and delay for anyone hoping to race down second st, which I say is an additional benefit.

Still, I was amazed at how many cars were still pulled front first; that must take some effort.

snailgem · #7 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 11:57 AM

I saw something funny the other day on 2nd.
A truck was parked the old way, front first (actually most of the vehicles were parked this way).
Behind him a police car had stopped for some reason.
The owner of the truck got in and then backed out right into the patrol car. The cop couldn't believe it.