Actually, I have thought about this one many times. First, I think all streets should be one way. I know. Most folks get real upset with one way streets. However, I don’t think anything would improve traffic flow much more. Left and right turns would be the same and it would decrease the waiting time at intersections waiting for people turning left. Moreover, the need would be for 2 maybe three lanes. There would be no need for the center lane used for turns.
Of course, there would be one block in between the alternating street directions. If there are any lights, it would be only for north/south and east/west. There would be no need for turn signals.
I would like the streets, or at least the interstates to have covers. It would keep the streets dryer and mostly snow free. Also, they would provide shade during the summer. Okay, I’m talking lots of money but it’s my city and my streets.
When the streets are originally paved, they should have about two inches thicker paving than required. Then, whenever ruts would become too deep, one of those scrappers could pass over and make it all level again. Those scrappers are really fast. They could take about an eighth of an inch off a street miles long in a couple of days. There is a side benefit. The wheels would pack the areas that have a tendency to form ruts making those parts of the street harder. Therefore, it would take longer for the next ruts to form.
Perhaps a wire or painted line should go down the middle of the lanes. Sensors in the car would keep the car in the center of the lane, or at least alert a dozing driver to a drift in steering, I have no intention of replacing the driver, just to enhance the safety.
I noticed one problem with traffic lights is that if I am behind a truck, I can’t see if the light is red. Also if the sun is behind me, I can’t see which lights are on or off. I don’t know how this can be solved, but I would work on it.
Point of interest, I heard Rev J. Vernon McGee describe a conversation with a real civil engineer who designed real highways. Rev. McGee said that he asked the engineer about how difficult it must be to get the right-of-ways with all the buildings and housing in the way. He said that the engineer said the buildings and such are no problem. It’s the cemeteries that give them fits. They can’t be moved so easy and they are all over the place. My idea: Maybe the ancient civilizations had the right idea in just building burial mounds. That way, they the mound grows mostly up and not out. Regardless, burying the dead is getting to be a bigger problem than keeping electric cars charged.
bfrhodes99 