I have mentioned Hans Monderman here before - he is the Dutch traffic engineer who figured out that in at least some cases, less traffic control is more.
Or I should say, "was" - I had not heard prior to today that Mr. Monderman passed away from cancer earlier this year.
I have also mentioned Tom Vanderbilt here before. He operates (very much in the present tense) a web site called www.howwedrive.com, which is so full of great ideas I don't dare go to it very often or I'd never get my own work done. So refreshing to read someone for whom the concept of roundabouts is as obvious as breathing in and out. Halton Region, please copy. It can't be that hard - your (our) neighbours to the immediate west in Wellington Region have figured it out.
Anyway, Mr. Vanderbilt has written a lovely little appreciation of Mr. Monderman's life and work. It is located at:
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=wq.essay&essay_id=462572
If you have any interest in traffic safety whatsoever (or, as it turns out, in Marcel Proust) you really should read this piece.
Especially if you are a traffic engineer for Halton Region.
Comments