Plastic Stripes to Replace Dots Down the Line

Dear Traffic Talk:

Caltrans should reinstate white lines showing the boundaries of freeway lanes.

With all the shifting of lanes to make new ones, it is hard to follow the lane you’re driving in.

Those reflecting buttons do not reflect in the daytime, when they are dirty or when it’s foggy. At night they don’t show up far enough ahead unless you use your high beams, which isn’t safe or legal.

I’ve been driving the freeways ever since their inception and I won’t drive at night anymore because it is too dangerous.

A.M. Pereira

North Hollywood

Dear A.M.:

Caltrans began using the raised-pavement markers called “Botts dots” in 1966 as a longer-lasting alternative to the painted white lines, according to authorities.

The agency has no plans to replace the 20-million buttons statewide all at once. As they wear out, they are being replaced with an even more durable, less expensive striping system, said Pat Reid, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

Since the inception of the button program, the markers have been used exclusively throughout the state highway system except in a handful of areas, such as in mountains where they would be damaged by snow-removing equipment or in city industrial neighborhoods where heavy trucks could break them, Reid said.

In addition to distinguishing individual lanes, the button markers added the safety feature of alerting drivers when they drifted out of their lane.

However, as the buttons wear out, they are being replaced with plastic reflective stripes, according to authorities.

The new striping--which looks like paint but is actually plastic melted into the pavement--is even less expensive and more durable than the buttons, she said.

Actual paint for certain types of markings will continue to be used in mountain and urban areas and on rural roads with low traffic volumes, authorities said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

We moved to the San Fernando Valley on Moorpark Street between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Colfax Avenue years ago.

Over the years, the intersection of Laurel Canyon and Moorpark has become hazardous for drivers trying to make a left turn all ways.

If we had an arrow at this intersection, many accidents would be avoided and evening back-up traffic would be reduced.

Herb Dubchansky

Studio City

Dear Herb:

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation recently conducted a study at that location.

Although the results presently do not warrant left-hand arrows for all directions, the department is considering some sort of left-hand phasing because of a foreseeable increase in traffic, said Irwin Chodash, a transportation engineer with the department.

The information gathered included traffic counts, history of traffic accidents and other field observation, Chodash said.

Because of the CBS Studios expansion project in the area, the department is considering southbound to eastbound left-turn phasing due to a foreseeable increase in demand for left turns, authorities said.

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