Suggestion to create safe golf car crossing Morse at CR 466
 

The issue is how golf cars can safely cross both SB and NB car traffic lanes on Morse Blvd without having to merge into the SB lane, waiting for NB traffic to clear, then cross.

To accomplish this, I propose:

1) NB gate operations continue as is
2) Move the SB gate back (north) 100-200 ft. (Yes, electricity required)
3) Install video cameras at each corner of building
4) Install and connect Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the cameras
5)Write "IF", "THEN" AI scenarios to control gates, such as:
a) IF 2 or more golf cars have been waiting > 2 minutes, THEN lower BOTH SB and NB gates to allow safe crossing of golf cars of BOTH lanes of car traffic
b) IF only 1 golf car waiting, THEN max wait time is 4 minutes (example only)
c) IF NB Morse starts to back up, THEN .........

These are only a few examples of "IF" "THEN" scenarios that can be imagined, however AI can be programmed for thousands of situations.

I am aware of other challenges, such as 911 vehicles, power outages, car wrecks, etc.
Some of these challenges may be eliminated by maintaining current staffing, using AI only for notification of traffic issues.

6) Install Red/Green signal lights to notify golf cars they can SAFELY cross both lanes of Morse without stopping in the middle median.

This is just a baseline that perhaps someone waaay smarter than me can take and run with.

AND If
 

Never ever work. There are other “if”s requiring humanoid action. Like the if, if the gate is broken by a car, or if the cameras are fogged from a storm, or if an accident has occurred.

All this is free and will not raise my fees or taxes? Already cost too much to live here!:shrug:

Interesting ideas. I’m definitely in favor of moving the southbound gate north of where golf carts crossover. I also really like pursuing changes to the current system in place at the northbound gate, so that the automotive traffic is staggered to allow golf carts more safe openings to crossover. The current system, where the gate attendants waive automobiles through as fast as possible, with absolutely no consideration for the golf carts backed up behind them, needs to be changed to something better. Although seasoned Villagers have adapted to the rather dangerous situation, it’s an accident waiting to happen for new Villagers, guests, and renters.

Well if we are proposing:

1) Dig a tunnel
2) Drive under roads

How long has the current set-up been there, 25- 30 years?
How many golf carts/ automobiles accidents have occurred?

This must be one of the most difficult and unsafe areas for golf cart in TV. I have gone with different friends driving and there have been several close calls with cars. I am fortunate that my lady friends are religious and I am pretty sure the Lord was looking after them directly each time. So far no heart attacks from near hits, but ….

And how many is too many?

Apparently, more than there have been up to this point. But, how many have there been up to this point? I don’t recall reading of any even with all the publicity that area gets.

First, I have not had any significant problem at this site. Your solution basically suggests a red-light using cameras and AI to decide who goes next. So now we have a traffic light going south with the car lane green and the cart lane red. When the car lane turns red and the cart lane turns green, you say the carts can turn left because all vehicles on your left have a red light. Good luck. Is any one familiar with this type of arrangement? My first thought would be that the lights are not functioning correctly. On paper it works, if everyone knows and abides by the rule.

AI is good if the "if" "then" has a definite answer all of the time considering human reaction.

Retrofitting a tunnel under Morse would be hugely expensive but would probably be the safest solution.

Morse north of 466 is one of the few major roads with adjacent Multimodal paths each side, so there are many junctions that require extreme care. The one with San Marino was partially eased 10+ years ago by installing traffic signals but it is still tough in high season to make a left there.

In reality, a total reworking of that whole stretch of Morse is required, and has been under consideration, but the cost would be enormous.

For now, we just need to be extra vigilant, and remain patient, when using Morse north of 466.

The Villages will say it's to expensive until someone gets killed there and the multi million dollar lawsuit that comes from leaving a know dangerous situation to continue.

Very practical and cost effective idea. Don't be discouraged by the naysayers. Negativity and resistance to change is a natural component of the demographic in this area.

OR, you can take your car!

Build a cart path down the north bound lane side? Seems to be the easiest way to protect carts.

This is one of the least expensive over 55 places to live in all the us

Must say all this has been discussed before. Morse used to only go as far as 466, then the expansion began. I've seen both golf-carts and cars do stupid things at this site. Carts trying to "beat" the car-traffic rather than just waiting OR cars going out the chute (so to speak) when it's their turn to go north through the gate. I've had the one finger salute given when the cart should have waited. High season is an issue no matter where one is in T.V. with traffic issues. Just leave a bit sooner and take a deep breath and it will all pan out in the end.

With respect, I don’t think you have enough experience with the golf cart lanes in that area to understand how they work, along with the tunnels. By every one driving respectfully and attentively, it’s rare for a cart to wait more than a few seconds to cross Morse. Two minutes? Four minutes? Followed by a long line of carts all bunched together as they head down the paths? Oh, we wouldn’t like that! As it is, if a CAR arrives at 466 and Morse just as a light changes, it can be up to 4.5 minutes before the lights cycle through and turn green again.

3) Multimodal path on the east side of Morse Boulevard

Install a tunnel.

Kind of defeats the purpose of buying a home in a golf cart community.

Make It Simple
 

There are many solutions. The best is to install a tunnel for Southbound carts to cross under Morse.

However, the simplest, cheapest, and quickest solution is to move the gates and the guardhouse 100' or so to the north (or move the cross-over 100" south) so the cross--over is close to the gates in the same manner as at every other crossing throughout The Villages. That would also solve any concern about N/B vehicles backing up to 466.

The real problem is that N/B vehicles in the "inside" or "guest" lane never stop at the gate when they are "waved" through by the attendant. Even those that do stop (those in the "outside" or "residents" lane) get a "running start" and are at speed by the time they reach the cross-over.

Many N/B drivers are careful and courteous and slowly approach the cross-over. However, I have had many N/B drivers (most often contractors in pickups or the usual type that drive BMW's) pass through the cross-over at 30+mph. Frankly, I am surprised that collisions are not a regular occurrence at the cross-over.

If The Villages doesn't want to move the gates and the guardhouse to the north, the cross-over can easily be moved to the south and positioned just after the N/B traffic gates and just before the S/B gates. This would involve nothing more than painting the stripes on the road and adding a small path to connect to the existing cart path on the east side of Morse.

Not sure if this will work but do agree something has to be done….

Fixing something that isn't broken.
 

I have been driving that for several months and I have not experienced a problem.
Leave earlier, take your time, or turn in your keys.

We have been in The Villages for 27 years and frequently cross Morse at the 466 gate. In all that time we have never had a problem getting across safely and do not recall one accident happening there involving a golf cart and auto. If golf cart drivers merge properly and early enough and use a little patience, getting across is easy. As far as alternate paths, tunnels, etc. go, these have been reviewed and discussed ad nauseum, and as Morse is a county road, other parties need to get involved in any change and that seems to hit dead ends.

Except that it's not "The Villages", it's a county road.

I agree.

or under 466 - more expensive, but eliminates two 90° "head-on" blind corners after exiting the northbound tunnel under 466

Ban all golf carts
 

They could ban golf cart traffic, that would be the easiest resolution to the problem. It’s a county road, the county sure isn’t footing the bill. Furthermore, why risk any lawsuits? Just get rid of the problem for free.

Brilliant---cut off golf cart access for 5-10,000 residents.

yeah nice try, more beginner programmer stuff. the first issue is the AI, second is there isn't enough cases to predict the outcome, coding is an absolute nightmare, it's far easier to just move the crossing to the gate like any other area south of 466. that's just the expense of a widening of a smaller section of road. nothing else. Aside from that, if you know of a remote messaging system to put in their golf carts and constantly reminds them of the 'golf cart rules' it might add to the benefit LOL.

since when?

Sure, then they could change the tax assessment for all the homes in that area because the decision tanked their values. That would go over like a fart in church.

Amazingly a very low number as far as I know. I've only witnessed about 10 near misses due to the golf cart drivers cutting in front of the cars hoping the only did it misjudging distance.

That was what should have happened to begin with but for whatever reason the 2 way path ended at Soledad.

There was at least one fatality on Morse north of 466 several years ago. As I remember, the golf cart turned directly in front of the car and a male in the golf cart was fatally injured. In a thread a few years ago, a post said 12 fatalities in golf carts have occurred in The Villages. You would have to research back to the to the beginnings of The villages with all municipalities and all three counties to attempt to find accurate data on golf cart fatalities in The Villages. I seriously doubt if anybody has attempted such a task and if any such records are kept or exist.

I know for sure a number of years ago two ladies were traveling ln a golf cart adjacent to 466a near Sarasota golf course when a car jumped the curb on 466a and the two ladies tragically did not survive. Common sense tells you it’s much safer in a car than in a golf cart, however, The Villages is a golf cart community and for years that has been a “trade mark” and marketing tool of The Villages. Be safe out there…

It is also worth remembering that when the community was designed (especially "up north") golf carts probably couldn't go above 20mph (and none came equipped with the extra width of sliding doors).

If you drive your cart as if everywhere had an "official" 20mph limit, and slow down and take extra care when another cart is approaching, you should be alright.

I have safest system, I avoid that gauntlet as all costs.

Why are we trying to fix things that aren't broken? EVERY golf cart fatality on Morse north of 466 has occurred much further north and was not caused by this intersection.
You want to make it safe? Tell the golf cart drivers to stop throwing their left arm out of the cart expecting every car to yield to them. Very simple concept.
Do people just sit around and think "what problem can I dream up to post about today?"
Get out and enjoy life! At the end of it, nobody cares that you posted 20,000 times on an internet message board!

A bridge, doesn't have to be super fancy. Just basic prefabricated steel golf course bridge. Cost would be less than recent wasted pickleball purchase. I bring my own golf balls and clubs and pickleball set.

I guess like all road changes, it relies on number of deaths. Once TV hits national news with a cart full of dead visitors, maybe couple of small kids on the back of granddad's cart, they will put up a bridge. 100k vs. a life? Nope, TV residents want new pickleballs. Sad.
Nuff said.