IN THIS ISSUE
EDO NEWS & VIEWS 
Editor
Rob Dickson
 
Publisher
Lara Simon
The views expressed in EDo News & Views are those of the Editor and Publisher. 
 
EDO NEIGBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Board of Directors  
President 
David Tanner
     ContextAbq
Vice President
John Freisinger
     Innovate ABQ
Secretary-Treasurer
Josh Rogers
     Titan Development  
Members
Lisa Adkins
     Fat Pipe ABQ
  Bill Bice
     ABQid, Verge Fund
Rob Dickson 
     Paradigm & Company
Vince DiGregory
     Standard Diner  
Vince DiGregory
     Standard Diner   
Moises Gonzalez
     MarAbi Productions, Inc.
Lauren Greene
     The Grove Café &    
     Market
Terry Keene
     Artichoke Café  
David Mahlman
     Mahlman Studio   
     Architects  
Tim McGivern
     Entrepreneur
Richard van Schouwen
     QStaff Theatre
Todd Walters
     Legacy Hospitality
 
 
HUNING HIGHLAND NEIGBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Board of Directors
President
Bonnie Anderson
Vice President
Moises Gonzalez
Secretary
Pam Leverick
Treasurer
Salley Trefethen
Members
Ann Carson
Bob Elwood
Jen & Elijah Esquivel
Steve Grant
Kathy Grassel
Pam Leverick
Amberley Pyles
Lee Spittler
Ben Sturge
David Tanner
Karla Thornton  
April 21, 2020
To Our Readers
We hope this finds you healthy and doing well, and observing Governor Lujan Grisham's social distancing protocols. Meanwhile, life in our neighborhood and our city continues, and we think it important to communicate with you about issues that remain important, now and in the near future. 
Does Density Increase Risk of Infection?
The short answer is "not necessarily."  Other factors, mostly preparedness and early establishment of social distancing protocols, are far more important. A good article from Bloomberg News.
2020 Census
While the census may be delayed, we encourage you to complete your form online, now. It's quick and easy! 
June Primary Election Voting
The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled that the upcoming June 2 primary in New Mexico cannot be conducted solely via mail, but that doesn't rule out your option to vote by mail. Every registered voter in New Mexico has the right to request an absentee ballot and you don't need a reason.
     You still have the option vote in person on June 2 or to vote early. Check with your county clerk to determine when and where early voting will be taking place.
National Unpreparedness
Some may disagree, but we feel that the USA was significantly unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. This despite warnings dating back over 10 years that we were vulnerable to exactly what is happening now. Our nation and our world are also unprepared for the impacts of global climate change, and we believe those could be far more devastating than the current situation. Here's a good summary of the issue from Edward Mazria of Santa Fe and his team at Architecture 2030. 
     Here's another from the Urban Land Institute, the largest global professional association for the real estate industry. 
Global Preparedness - What Might 2050 Look Like?
Fast Company magazine reviews a new book that we highly recommend. The choice is truly ours, but the choice is now! 
Local Food
The shutdown of the global economy, an economy based upon long supply chains and heavy fossil fuel usage, is showing us that we are vulnerable. We don't have to be. We have heard it said "if you can't see most of your food being grown right around you, you're not a resilient economy." We agree.  This article is one example of what we could be doing. During World War Two, about 2 of every 3 homes in the USA had a victory garden. Why not now? Local. Healthy. Prosperous. 
What Lessons Should The USA Be Learning Now?
The world will be different for everyone when this medical disaster is over. It is a disaster that could have been greatly mitigated by being prepared. But we weren't prepared. We recommend this editorial opinion from the New York Times as a wise discussion of all the likely future disasters of every kind for which we need to prepare now. 
Walkable City
Albuquerque has a Vision Zero goal to eliminate pedestrian and bicycle deaths, yet doesn't have a set of goals or policies to actually make our streets and intersections safe for our citizens who walk and cycle. Meanwhile, Germany has 7 goals to improve the pedestrian (and bicycle) experience in their National Walking Plan. We think it's time to end the hypocrisy of a Vision Zero goal unsupported by policy changes. It's time for an Albuquerque Walking Plan. The benefits to our health, our economy, and our environment would be amazing!
Editorial Opinion:  Albuquerque Traffic Signals - We Can Do Better, and Safer
(This opinion references typical pre-pandemic traffic volumes, not current ones)

With few exceptions, traffic signals are on a fixed timing for all through movements (i.e., going straight).  Most intersections have actuated left turn signals that are triggered by vehicles, generally based upon a loop in the street - a high maintenance cost proposition if there are problems.  
     Also with few exceptions like sections of Lead and Coal, each traffic signal is operating independently of the adjacent signals in any direction. Meaning, a driver can sit at one light, then sit at the next light, then sit at the next light.......you get it.  
     We cannot think of any good reasons that Albuquerque has such a system given vast improvements in technology of every kind. Several traffic engineers at the City have told us over the years that "the traffic signal system is optimized city-wide, to provide the most efficient operation possible."  Really?  We have two things to say.  1.  We don't believe you.  2.  Prove it.
     Let's look at the bad reasons for a fixed signal timing that is not responsive to actual traffic conditions:
1.  Long periods of unused green signals, with no or few vehicles, while other vehicles wait at six other positions at the intersection. Wasting people's time is dumb.
2.  With predictable, fixed signal timing, drivers seeing a green signal can accelerate through the intersection from a significant distance away. Meaning that at signal changes, there is a high potential that a vehicle at excessive speeds is passing through the intersection at the time other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists are starting through the intersection. A system that increases speeds through intersections is dumber.  
     There is wireless actuated traffic signal technology available today that would allow for each intersection to operate independently and safely, giving the green signal where it is needed, then going yellow-red when other vehicles at the signal need the green. Here are the benefits of such a system:
1.  Shorter wait times for vehicles, for cyclists, for pedestrians.
2.  Safer intersection speeds, because drivers know the signal can go yellow-red at any time.  
     We close by asking - do We The People of Albuquerque work for the machines, or can we make the machines work for us? This change in City policy supports the current City Vision Zero policy, already adopted. Vision Zero has a goal of zero pedestrian and bicycle deaths in Albuquerque. We cannot achieve that goal with current signal timing policy. Don't believe us?  Stand at any intersection and watch for a while.