They screwed up the 401 & #8 junction
This is a rant of sorts.
I first want to applaud the completed section of the 401 from Hespeler to Highway 8. The quality and size of the infrastructure is quite impressive. I've used the 401 and #7 to commute to and from Guelph for over 20 years and I welcome the widened 401. It has helped tremendously.
That said, they screwed the following key points:
**1. A minimalist approach to signs.**
* On the 401WB, directives to Kitchener/Waterloo via #8 are within the last 1000m of the off ramp. There's at least 3km from Hespeler Rd to the #8 cutoff yet there are zero signs until the last moment. * I have observed much traffic scrambling to cut across multiple lanes of highway in order to get off where they need to. Some succeed daringly while others fail entirely. * The lack of proper directives are also notable from 401EB/Highway 8 to Hespeler Rd.
*Remedy suggestion: More signs! There's a free bridge to hang signs off of! (Speedsville Rd.)*
**2. The King St. off ramp from a left lane.**
* Every. Morning. I experience getting held up by slower traffic in both lanes. Elephant races from the 401 all the way past Sportsworld Dr. * The slow traffic bunches up (phantom traffic jam), this essentially makes lane changes impossible for those in the right lane and realizing that the King St exit is now immediate and to their left. * I frequently witness vehicles (but especially trucks) in the right lane signal left to get to the King St exit but can't due to traffic (too fast, no safe gaps). * The same struggles I observe with traffic in the left lane not being able to safely get back into the right lane in order to exit at Sportsworld Dr.
*Remedy suggestion: This off ramp should have been it's own off ramp separate from the #8 turn off. If lanes #1 and #2 are the lanes to Highway 8, then lane #3 could have become the King St. ramp after the Highway turn off. Lanes 4/5/6 continue WB.*
**BONUS - #8 Westbound @ #7/8 Expressway**
* Very poor signage. Nothing until the last 1000m. * Traffic struggling to get across the 4 lanes to where they need to go. * Uphill which causes heavy trucks to slow. I have witnessed on rare occasions, elephant races that are 3 or 4 lanes wide.
*Remedy: More signs!*
I am under the impression that those who design our infrastructure have a very limited understanding of how traffic flows and how drivers react. Signs/directions are placed too often with almost zero notice causing inexperienced drivers scrambling to appropriately reposition themselves.
Let's face the facts:
1. Few drivers obey the speed limit. 2. Many drivers leave zero room for others. 3. There's very limited courtesy (Pass on the left/Keep right if slower).
Highway design which is inconsiderate of these big facts leads to dangers and problems.
We don't live in La-La Land Utopia where drivers are perfect. Let's stop building our highways in a way that expects a behaviour that is totally opposite from reality.