Geometry Holds Key to Left-Turn Delay on Wooley Road

Dear Street Smart:

How do you get the proper department to change the type of traffic light?

In Oxnard, westbound Wooley Road has a left-turn arrow for turns onto southbound Rose Avenue. It has a green arrow, then a red arrow that faces you when the light is green to go straight ahead.

The next light, at Pacific Avenue has a good light, where the green arrow simply goes off and you can make a left turn as long as you yield to oncoming traffic. This kind of light is much better, as it is silly to sit at a red arrow when no one is coming.

Thank you for passing this request on to the proper authority.

Micheal Brother

Oxnard

Dear Reader:

Traffic analysts call the type of signal at Wooley Road and Rose Avenue a “protected/permissive” type of control. They can be restrictive, but they are installed in specific areas for specific reasons.

Oxnard traffic engineer Joe Genovese said that type of control is required at that particular intersection because of its existing conditions.

“Because of the geometry at the Rose Avenue and Wooley Road intersection, westbound left-turners do not have a good view of oncoming traffic if there are vehicles waiting to turn left in the opposite direction,” he said.

“For this reason, it is not feasible to change the operation at this time,” said Genovese, adding that the intersection will continue to be monitored for potential improvements as conditions warrant.

Dear Street Smart:

Going south on Potrero Road in Westlake, there is a right-turn-only sign near the entrance to Westlake Elementary School. About 600 feet farther down Potrero Road, there is another right-turn-only sign at Camberwell Street.

Drivers ignore both signs and drive straight down Potrero Road in the curb lane.

Those of us who obey the first sign and then have to get into the right-turn-only lane to exit at Camberwell often find ourselves meeting a speeding car that is continuing to drive in the curb lane. And then they give us the horn and the finger.

This is a very dangerous situation.

Judy Hoffmann

Westlake

Dear Reader:

Thousand Oaks traffic engineer Jeff Knowles, who is in charge of traffic control and signs in the neighborhood you are concerned about, said there are no flaws in the existing control system.

Your complaint is a traffic-enforcement issue.

But do not fear. Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy John Popp, one of several traffic enforcement patrol officers assigned to the area, said he would place your concern on what is called a select enforcement area watch list.

“If they don’t make the right turn and they go straight through, they can be cited for it,” Popp said. “All we have to do is catch them.”

To that end, Popp said, he would alert patrolling deputies to be on the lookout for errant drivers along that stretch of Potrero Road.

“We’ll watch that area for a certain amount of time, and cite people for any violations,” Popp said. “Usually that will get their attention.”

Dear Street Smart:

I have been seeing signs for “No Engine Braking” and “No Jake Brakes.”

What do these signs mean and why are they suddenly appearing around town? Thank you.

Kristina Phillips

Oxnard

Dear Reader:

You must have missed this issue being discussed in a Street Smart column from last fall. However, yours was not the only inquiry received since that response was published.

The signs you are wondering about refer to jake brakes, elaborate braking systems installed on most newer semi and tractor trailers. They work great, but they are loud, said Oxnard traffic engineer Joe Genovese.

“These signs are installed to persuade tractor trailers not to use their compression braking system,” he said. “When the jake brake switch is on, the engine will help slow down the vehicle whenever the trucker releases the gas pedal.”

Ongoing complaints from Oxnard residents have prompted officials to install the signs at a couple of locations where trucks typically enter the city, Genovese said.

Write to Street Smart, The Times Ventura County Edition, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. You may enclose a simple sketch if it will help Street Smart understand your traffic questions. Or call our Sound Off Line, 653-7546. Whether writing or calling, include your full name, address, and day and evening phone numbers. No anonymous queries will be accepted, and letters are subject to editing.