AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => International Highways => Topic started by: 7/8 on October 19, 2017, 07:15:25 PM

Title: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: 7/8 on October 19, 2017, 07:15:25 PM
Here's a rare video showing a drive around the streets of Pyongyang. The most important thing to note is the horizontal traffic signals, with all the green lights being arrows. Also, traffic is pretty good! :bigass:

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/28/watch-this-incredible-rare-video-of-the-streets-of-north-koreas-capital-city.html (https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/28/watch-this-incredible-rare-video-of-the-streets-of-north-koreas-capital-city.html)
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: Alps on October 19, 2017, 11:41:58 PM
They look like any other modern Asian or European city. Amazing what you don't see that went into it.
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: jakeroot on October 20, 2017, 01:00:54 AM
Couple of things I spotted:

0:06 -- 1 second yellow (oh my)
3:00 -- Ford Explorer

The latter section of the video reminds me of driving around in Korea in the 2005 video game Mercenaries: Playgound of Destruction.
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on October 20, 2017, 01:00:54 AM
Couple of things I spotted:

0:06 -- 1 second yellow (oh my)

However, the green arrow flashes prior to it changing to yellow.

Other notes:
- All the signals are arrows, red, yellow, and green.
- A noticeable lack of traffic for a city that size.
- Only one signal head per direction unless there's turning movements.
- No speed limit signage that I could see.  The red circle signs on the side of the road were "20t", for 20 tonnes max.
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: jakeroot on October 21, 2017, 02:48:39 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on October 20, 2017, 01:00:54 AM
Couple of things I spotted:

0:06 -- 1 second yellow (oh my)

However, the green arrow flashes prior to it changing to yellow.

Not sure who they're taking after with that, but flashing green arrows (when used) indicate a protected turn in Canada. Maybe the flashing green means "phase about to end"?

Quote from: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
- No speed limit signage that I could see.  The red circle signs on the side of the road were "20t", for 20 tonnes max.

I think the speed limit is standardised, so no need to post limits (sort of like Europe).
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: webfil on October 21, 2017, 09:30:57 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
- A noticeable lack of traffic for a city that size.
Driving is reserved to the utmost privileged, whereas most people is struggling to gather enough food to survive and do not have resources to procure motorized transportation (car or transit)
Quote from: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
- No speed limit signage that I could see.
5:02
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: Brandon on October 21, 2017, 10:53:36 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on October 21, 2017, 02:48:39 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on October 20, 2017, 01:00:54 AM
Couple of things I spotted:

0:06 -- 1 second yellow (oh my)

However, the green arrow flashes prior to it changing to yellow.

Not sure who they're taking after with that, but flashing green arrows (when used) indicate a protected turn in Canada. Maybe the flashing green means "phase about to end"?

I've seen it once before, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.  The green ball signals there flash for a second or two before the yellow ball signal comes on.
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: 7/8 on October 21, 2017, 11:02:05 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 21, 2017, 10:53:36 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on October 21, 2017, 02:48:39 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on October 20, 2017, 01:00:54 AM
Couple of things I spotted:

0:06 -- 1 second yellow (oh my)

However, the green arrow flashes prior to it changing to yellow.

Not sure who they're taking after with that, but flashing green arrows (when used) indicate a protected turn in Canada. Maybe the flashing green means "phase about to end"?

I've seen it once before, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.  The green ball signals there flash for a second or two before the yellow ball signal comes on.

What's the benefit of this over just having a longer yellow?
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: MNHighwayMan on October 21, 2017, 11:15:40 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on October 21, 2017, 11:02:05 AM
What's the benefit of this over just having a longer yellow?

I'm pretty sure there isn't one.
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: jakeroot on October 21, 2017, 11:06:17 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on October 21, 2017, 11:15:40 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on October 21, 2017, 11:02:05 AM
What's the benefit of this over just having a longer yellow?

I'm pretty sure there isn't one.

Hence my skepticism that this was what NK was doing with their signals. I'm sure the flashing green arrows mean protected turn.

Forgot to mention: countries in the South of Africa also use flashing green arrows to indicate a protected turn.
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: Chris on October 22, 2017, 03:18:37 AM
Quote from: Alps on October 19, 2017, 11:41:58 PM
They look like any other modern Asian or European city. Amazing what you don't see that went into it.

It's a facade. Behind those modern-looking blocks are the slums, hard to notice from the main boulevards:

(https://i.imgur.com/9mMsGPK.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/RunIafF.jpg)
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: Brandon on October 22, 2017, 03:03:10 PM
Quote from: webfil on October 21, 2017, 09:30:57 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
- A noticeable lack of traffic for a city that size.
Driving is reserved to the utmost privileged, whereas most people is struggling to gather enough food to survive and do not have resources to procure motorized transportation (car or transit)

It's not just a lack of car traffic, it's a lack of all traffic.  There's few pedestrians, no motorcycles, no bicyclists.  Even for a poor area over in east Asia, one should expect to see a lot of pedestrians, bicycles, and even motorcycles.
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: Brandon on October 22, 2017, 03:06:51 PM
Quote from: webfil on October 21, 2017, 09:30:57 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 20, 2017, 02:46:21 PM
- No speed limit signage that I could see.
5:02

That's not a speed limit sign.  It says "60/40", white on blue.  Vienna convention would be on a circle sign.
Title: Re: Video of Driving in Pyongyang, North Korea
Post by: webfil on October 22, 2017, 04:25:30 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 22, 2017, 03:06:51 PMThat's not a speed limit sign.  It says "60/40", white on blue.  Vienna convention would be on a circle sign.

It is a speed limit. (http://newfocusintl.com/driving-in-north-korea/) DPRK did not sign the signs deal. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Signs_and_Signals)