Talk of The Villages Florida

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-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Dangerous => New Marsh Bend golf cart trail (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/dangerous--new-marsh-bend-golf-cart-trail-355572/)

ByebyeMichigan 01-05-2025 08:39 AM

of course you did …….

hosegooseman 01-05-2025 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2398384)
Is that a reflection of poor design or poor driving skills? There are plenty of "blind 90 degree" turns on other MMPs, and plenty of drivers who don't bother to slow down or pay attention.

But question: Is the Marsh Bend MMP open all the way down to Central Parkway now?

Marsh Bend MMP is fully open, already used a few times.

As for dangerous, I don’t think is worst than other MMP around here. Could it use some improvements? Probable yes. But what I see and encounter frequently are bad and dangerous drivers. Golf carts don’t flip or crash on any degree turns by themselves.

JMintzer 01-05-2025 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2398649)
Ain't that the truth. I haven't been on this particular stretch, and probably won't ever since it's a long way from home. Going southbound on the MMP as it runs between the homes along the executive course (Turtle Mound?) the MMP takes a turn left to run parallel to 466A. Traffic in the opposite direction has a long straightaway from the tunnel and often hits that corner too fast to stay in the proper lane. This is not a unique design. But it's a dangerous one. I travel it fairly often and have learned to slow down and be defensive.

These MMPs are designed for speeds closer to 15mph, but everyone juices their carts up to closer to 25mph and then drifts off into Lala Land, making what was a sufficiently careful design dangerous.

You can't make the other dude slow down, but you can control your own speed, and be defensive.

Can you please tell me where you found this information? I never heard anything of the sort...

If that were true, why do TV Golf Car Stores sell Golf Cars that go 20 mph?

JMintzer 01-05-2025 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VApeople (Post 2398673)
Inside our village of Osceola Hills there are many places where the cars and golf carts share the same roads.

Every single neighborhood has streets where golf carts share the roads with cars. How else could they get home?

Are you saying they swing wide into oncoming traffic?

Or swing wide as you're trying to pass them going in the same direction?

If it's the 2nd option, that's your fault...

Maker 01-06-2025 07:35 AM

It's very sad when brand new paths have safety issues. They should be designed to be safer, for everyone, no matter what their driving skills are.
Sure we can say "slow down" or "drive more carefully". But those are just band aids, only necessary for not considering safety as a priority in the initial design and construction.
I wonder when a lawyer will sue the developer because they chose to build something they should have known was dangerous.

golfing eagles 01-06-2025 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maker (Post 2399109)
It's very sad when brand new paths have safety issues. They should be designed to be safer, for everyone, no matter what their driving skills are.
Sure we can say "slow down" or "drive more carefully". But those are just band aids, only necessary for not considering safety as a priority in the initial design and construction.
I wonder when a lawyer will sue the developer because they chose to build something they should have known was dangerous.

And the basis for believing this path has "safety issues" is WHAT? Something the OP spouted out???? Have you driven it???? What proof is there that the design is flawed, as opposed to any other MMP in TV?

Bill14564 01-06-2025 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maker (Post 2399109)
It's very sad when brand new paths have safety issues. They should be designed to be safer, for everyone, no matter what their driving skills are.
Sure we can say "slow down" or "drive more carefully". But those are just band aids, only necessary for not considering safety as a priority in the initial design and construction.
I wonder when a lawyer will sue the developer because they chose to build something they should have known was dangerous.

I'm sure they could have been designed to be less safe, but they weren't, so they are safer, for everyone, no matter what their driving skills are.

Or, are you suggesting that roads, paths, trails, sidewalks, life in general should be dumbed down to be safe for the lowest set of skills imaginable? A speed limit of 5mph perhaps. Maybe jersey barriers separating roads from paths and paths from sidewalks. Maybe making it illegal to drive a vehicle in bad weather or at night. Maybe mandating pedestrians wear helmets with constant lighting to illuminate their path plus a strobe light to make them more visible to other pedestrians and vehicles.

I haven't driven the new path yet (maybe it will be warmer today) but I'm confident it was designed with safety in mind. Occasionally mistakes happen and things are missed but in those cases corrections are made. *IF* there is an issue with this path I'm sure it will be corrected *BUT* I suspect once Villagers get over their need to criticize anything new, especially anything new from the Developer, the path will be just fine.

Marathon Man 01-06-2025 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maker (Post 2399109)
It's very sad when brand new paths have safety issues. They should be designed to be safer, for everyone, no matter what their driving skills are.
Sure we can say "slow down" or "drive more carefully". But those are just band aids, only necessary for not considering safety as a priority in the initial design and construction.
I wonder when a lawyer will sue the developer because they chose to build something they should have known was dangerous.

And just what do you suggest for them to be "designed to be safer"?? Easy to say someone should do something. Harder to come up with an answer yourself. Maybe you think that they should not have any turns and only go in a straight line? By the way, you should not believe something just because one person said so. That path is not different than any other.

VApeople 01-06-2025 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2399003)
Every single neighborhood has streets where golf carts share the roads with cars. How else could they get home?

Are you saying they swing wide into oncoming traffic?

Yes

Laker14 01-06-2025 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2399002)
Can you please tell me where you found this information? I never heard anything of the sort...

If that were true, why do TV Golf Car Stores sell Golf Cars that go 20 mph?

My eyeballs.

Because they know people want to go that fast.

Maker 01-06-2025 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 2399145)
And just what do you suggest for them to be "designed to be safer"?? Easy to say someone should do something. Harder to come up with an answer yourself. Maybe you think that they should not have any turns and only go in a straight line? By the way, you should not believe something just because one person said so. That path is not different than any other.

Here are some...

No blind corners. Clear landscaping and keep road signage and walls apart from paths. For example going east on McNeill, approaching Bexley, there is a huge village name sign in the street median, completely blocking cart's view of oncoming vehicles.

Avoid 90 degree turns where a curve could be used. These are easy to spot in many places.

Widen path at sharp turns. Simple no-brainer. A turning cart requires a wider width.

Don't make paths zig zag when a straight route is available. Avoids situations were oncoming carts are driving directly towards your cart (before they would curve right), with their headlights blinding you.

Put signage far ahead of areas where a turn might be needed. For example, at many tunnels the turn area also has signage saying which way each direction heads. Takes eyes off the road. Also use larger fonts to improve readability at further distances. Place lower so headlights illuminate them.

Locate entry/exit of tunnels further away from the T where they intersect the ramps, instead of having near zero distance between tunnel and access path. Not only is this a hard turn, there is no extra space, lousy sight lines, and blind spots.

None of these examples were hard to think about.
Just because they have not put any thought about safer designs in the past does not mean they should continue to do it the same old way. Being smart with designs costs nothing.

Marathon Man 01-06-2025 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maker (Post 2399216)
Here are some...

No blind corners. Clear landscaping and keep road signage and walls apart from paths. For example going east on McNeill, approaching Bexley, there is a huge village name sign in the street median, completely blocking cart's view of oncoming vehicles.

Avoid 90 degree turns where a curve could be used. These are easy to spot in many places.

Widen path at sharp turns. Simple no-brainer. A turning cart requires a wider width.

Don't make paths zig zag when a straight route is available. Avoids situations were oncoming carts are driving directly towards your cart (before they would curve right), with their headlights blinding you.

Put signage far ahead of areas where a turn might be needed. For example, at many tunnels the turn area also has signage saying which way each direction heads. Takes eyes off the road. Also use larger fonts to improve readability at further distances. Place lower so headlights illuminate them.

Locate entry/exit of tunnels further away from the T where they intersect the ramps, instead of having near zero distance between tunnel and access path. Not only is this a hard turn, there is no extra space, lousy sight lines, and blind spots.

None of these examples were hard to think about.
Just because they have not put any thought about safer designs in the past does not mean they should continue to do it the same old way. Being smart with designs costs nothing.

I have been diving a cart for ten years in TV. I have never felt the need for any of those things. I keep my eyes on the path in front of me and slow down when I need to. It's just good driving.

Topspinmo 01-06-2025 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 2399231)
I have been diving a cart for ten years in TV. I have never felt the need for any of those things. I keep my eyes on the path in front of me and slow down when I need to. It's just good driving.

100 men (and women) will test today but only 3 will side on their side .

golfing eagles 01-06-2025 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 2399231)
I have been diving a cart for ten years in TV. I have never felt the need for any of those things. I keep my eyes on the path in front of me and slow down when I need to. It's just good driving.

Apparently, there are those that think good driving could and should be replaced by some sort of idiot proof MMP design.

Bill14564 01-06-2025 01:47 PM

I survived!!!

Just got back. Eisenhower to Brownwood to Everglades to Villages Fire Station 48 to Sawgrass to Rohan and back. About 23 miles. Nice ride.

A few sharp turns but nothing different than the stretch after the Brownwood bridge or going past Bradford.

Will be better once some reflectors are installed on the corners.

golfing eagles 01-06-2025 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2399244)
I survived!!!

Just got back. Eisenhower to Brownwood to Everglades to Sawgrass to Rohan and back. About 23 miles. Nice ride.

A few sharp turns but nothing different than the stretch after the Brownwood bridge or going past Bradford.

Will be better once some reflectors are installed on the corners.

Nice. But do you realize that is not the MMP that this thread is about?????

Bill14564 01-06-2025 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2399264)
Nice. But do you realize that is not the MMP that this thread is about?????

If this thread is not about the MMP that runs along Marsh Bend from Everglades to near Eastport then what MMP *is* it about?

(I’ll be editing my post above to include Villages Fire Station 48)

Altavia 01-06-2025 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maker (Post 2399109)
It's very sad when brand new paths have safety issues. They should be designed to be safer, for everyone, no matter what their driving skills are.
Sure we can say "slow down" or "drive more carefully". But those are just band aids, only necessary for not considering safety as a priority in the initial design and construction.
I wonder when a lawyer will sue the developer because they chose to build something they should have known was dangerous.

The road and path designs incorporate "traffic calming" that consists of physical design and other measures put in place on roads and paths to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety.

The sharp turns are there to force people to slow down.

Bill14564 01-06-2025 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altavia (Post 2399270)
The road and path designs incorporate "traffic calming" that consists of physical design and other measures put in place on roads and paths to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety.

The sharp turns are there to force people to slow down.

The sharp turns that I traveled through are there to go around an electrical substation and a Wildwood (fresh?) water treatment facility.

golfing eagles 01-06-2025 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2399265)
If this thread is not about the MMP that runs along Marsh Bend from Everglades to near Eastport then what MMP *is* it about?

(I’ll be editing my post above to include Villages Fire Station 48)

That's exactly what it's about. However, if you went, and I quote, "Eisenhower to Brownwood to Everglades to Sawgrass to Rohan and back.", you were never on the Marsh Bend MMP. I do now note you added Fire Station 48, but that is still north of Corbin. The new section of the Marsh Bend MMP is from Corbin south to Central Parkway. Maybe on your next ride.........

Laker14 01-06-2025 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2399240)
Apparently, there are those that think good driving could and should be replaced by some sort of idiot proof MMP design.

The more they try to idiot proof the MMPs, the more speed people will adjust their governors for, and the faster they will drive and the more catastrophic the inevitable accidents will be.

Or put another way, you can try to idiot proof something, but we keep building better idiots.

Bill14564 01-06-2025 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2399282)
That's exactly what it's about. However, if you went, and I quote, "Eisenhower to Brownwood to Everglades to Sawgrass to Rohan and back.", you were never on the Marsh Bend MMP. I do now note you added Fire Station 48, but that is still north of Corbin. The new section of the Marsh Bend MMP is from Corbin south to Central Parkway. Maybe on your next ride.........

I was on an MMP, it followed Marsh Bend from Warm Springs to Central Parkway, and it was new. If that is not the new Marsh Bend golf cart trail then they need a different name for it!

The MMP that heads up to Corbin Trail is still blocked off. The other option from Central Parkway up that direction is McNeill (with Corbin as an option at the top end).

Station 48 is at the intersection of Marsh Bend and Central Parkway, far south of Corbin.

golfing eagles 01-06-2025 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2399289)
I was on an MMP, it followed Marsh Bend from Warm Springs to Central Parkway, and it was new. If that is not the new Marsh Bend golf cart trail then they need a different name for it!

The MMP that heads up to Corbin Trail is still blocked off. The other option from Central Parkway up that direction is McNeill (with Corbin as an option at the top end).

Station 48 is at the intersection of Marsh Bend and Central Parkway, far south of Corbin.

If you went to Central Parkway, you were on the path being discussed. The alternative prior to it opening was Corbin to McNeill and then down Bexley. Unfortunately, Villages Fire station #48 is shown on one map on Richey just off Fenney Way and a few blocks south of Warm Springs Rd, and on another exactly where you said it is. I'll go with your location since you were recently there. Now, what is it we were originally talking about????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Oh, yeah, the "safety" of that path

JMintzer 01-06-2025 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maker (Post 2399216)
Here are some...

No blind corners. Clear landscaping and keep road signage and walls apart from paths. For example going east on McNeill, approaching Bexley, there is a huge village name sign in the street median, completely blocking cart's view of oncoming vehicles.

Avoid 90 degree turns where a curve could be used. These are easy to spot in many places.

Widen path at sharp turns. Simple no-brainer. A turning cart requires a wider width.

Don't make paths zig zag when a straight route is available. Avoids situations were oncoming carts are driving directly towards your cart (before they would curve right), with their headlights blinding you.

Put signage far ahead of areas where a turn might be needed. For example, at many tunnels the turn area also has signage saying which way each direction heads. Takes eyes off the road. Also use larger fonts to improve readability at further distances. Place lower so headlights illuminate them.

Locate entry/exit of tunnels further away from the T where they intersect the ramps, instead of having near zero distance between tunnel and access path. Not only is this a hard turn, there is no extra space, lousy sight lines, and blind spots.

None of these examples were hard to think about.
Just because they have not put any thought about safer designs in the past does not mean they should continue to do it the same old way. Being smart with designs costs nothing.

A straight path invites people go go faster. Curves slow them down...


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