Getting Their Traffic Signals Crossed

Dear Street Smart:

I cannot understand why traffic lights in Orange County and southern Los Angeles County are not better synchronized. There are places where traffic lights are only a few hundred feet apart, and still no one in the transportation departments seem capable of getting these signals set to keep traffic flowing.

This is especially true of freeway underpasses, where the conditions are deplorable. Whoever installed the electric “loops” that detect cars on the roadway has done a great disservice to the motorist. They do nothing but impede the flow of traffic, rather than keep it moving. The left-turn arrow and pedestrian buttons also slow things down. Why don’t they just harmonize the signals and forget these useless gimmicks?

Alvin J. Butcher

Tustin

Yes, figuring out traffic signals seems akin to predicting weather patterns. One day your favorite thoroughfare issues an endless stream of green lights. The next, it’ll be nothing but red.

But there is a method to this occasional motoring madness.

As you note, most Orange County signal lights are connected to wire loops in the pavement that electronically detect when cars are waiting at a stop light. This setup is known as a “traffic actuated” signal-light system, said Steven M. Hogan, transportation division manager for the county Environmental Management Agency.

Traffic-actuated signals operate much like the old “fixed-time” systems, which have a clock that switches lights every 30 or 45 seconds. Fixed-time systems were fine, except in situations when one had to stop at a red light and wait seemingly forever even though no cars were on a cross street.

The difference between the two systems lies primarily with the wire loop detectors, which feed extra information about an intersection and trigger lights only when traffic dictates. With the additional data, the traffic-actuated setup is supposed to work all the better--or so it goes in theory.

In the real world, it is hard to ensure that signal lights stay in a harmonized pattern, Hogan said.

Mechanical glitches can wreak havoc (motorists should call local traffic authorities if they run across a signal they are sure is malfunctioning, Hogan said). Pedestrians triggering the crossing lights can also cause a signal to stray from the synchronized pattern for up to five minutes.

Moreover, the synchronization of signal lights begins to deteriorate as congestion increases. Even under the most free-flowing conditions, many motorists don’t travel at the speed limit, going either too slow or too fast and thus missing a green light or hitting the red.

In addition, Orange County’s varied topography, particularly in the southern half of the county, has resulted in winding streets on which signals are very difficult to coordinate, Hogan said.

On top of all that, there are troubles where streets and freeways meet. Traffic signals on streets next to a freeway are controlled by the state Transportation Department, which carries the prime responsibility of ensuring that traffic is able to safely move onto and off of the highway. Unfortunately, those lights often don’t mesh with signals on thoroughfares sweeping toward the freeways.

But some hope is in sight on the freeway front. Hogan said transportation officials with the county, various cities and Caltrans have started to work together to better coordinate these often discordant systems.

Left-turn signal lights are another matter. Ideally, these lights are timed to interact with traffic so oncoming cars do not sit at a red light, Hogan said. But that is not always the case, especially when signal lights are knocked out of sequence by pedestrians crossing or mechanical malfunctions.

Some cities, most notably Los Angeles, have installed “permissive-protective signals” in the left-turn lanes, Hogan said. These signals feature two different green lights. A green arrow goes on when left-turing cars begin to back up in the turn pocket. When traffic is lighter, a round green light permits cars to turn left when the intersection clears of oncoming cars. This lengthens the time a signal stays green on each street.

Hogan said Orange County officials have steered away from permissive-protective signals because of safety worries. Accident investigators report that some drivers become confused by the signals, turning across traffic when they should be yielding, he said.

Although signal lights will always cause grumbles, there should be some improvements in Orange County in the years to come. This year, the county will launch its “Super Streets” program with work on Beach Boulevard. Hogan said signals along the street will be fine-tuned to offer better synchronization, giving motorists headed both north and south an improved chance of catching a green light instead of running into red after red.

Dear Street Smart:

Your Jan. 29 reply to an anti-helmet advocate makes a good case for the value of wearing a motorcycle helmet, and I agree with everything you said. I’d just like to add a few points.

Even more sobering than the fact that 70% of California’s motorcycle fatalities last year involved un-helmeted riders is the fact that fully 92% of all motorcycle accidents involve riders who are either inexperienced or untrained.

What should also be factored in is the element of irresponsibility that a high percentage of younger riders exhibit, like going too fast for the conditions, being under the influence of alcohol, violating a right of way or simply not understanding how to control the machine.

The bottom line is that these accidents will happen regardless of whether the rider is wearing a helmet. And while helmets can protect against fatalities that result from head trauma, they won’t make the motorcyclist a better rider. Training, and training alone, is the most effective way to prevent the accidents that take lives.

Believe me, I know what I’m talking about. I have over 20 years’ professional experience with motorcycles--as a road racer, race trainer, author of two books on racing technique and founder of the California Superbike School.

Not until this state requires mandatory training for all riders under age 27 will we in California see a significant decline in fatalities.

Keith Code

Hollywood

Some very valid points. A little tutoring can go a long way to make a person a better driver, whether that’s in a car or on a motorcycle.

Under current California law, persons under 18 have to take a course from the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, which has centers scattered around the state. For information, call (800) CC-RIDER.

But turning 18 doesn’t necessarily infuse a person with instant maturity. As you suggest, the state might want to take a look at extending its instructional requirements to include neophyte motorcyclists with even more birthdays under their belts. Then they can head out on the highway in safety.