Inefficient Signal Will Be Corrected

Dear Traffic Talk:

A traffic signal was installed last summer at the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Balboa Road. This is a “T” intersection with Balboa Road terminating at Balboa Boulevard, which supports “through” traffic.

The northbound portion of Balboa Boulevard has two lanes: a left-turn-only lane, which is controlled by left-turn traffic signal arrows, and a “through traffic” lane.

The southbound portion of Balboa Boulevard also has two lanes: a right-turn-only lane and a “through traffic” lane.

The “through traffic” signal on the northbound side of Balboa Boulevard is green only when the northbound left-turn signal arrow is green. They do not work independently of each other.

Consequently, when the southbound lane (there is no southbound left-turn lane because this is a “T” intersection) of Balboa Boulevard has a green signal, the northbound left-turn signal is red. However, the northbound “through traffic” signal is also red when there is no possibility for cross traffic.

The “through traffic” signal should also be green so that the north and southbound “through” traffic proceed at the same time.

I have seen Los Angeles Department of Transportation workers at this signal several times since it was installed. Each time I thought that they were there to remedy the problem, but it remains.

What is the purpose of a left-turn-arrow signal if it does not operate independently of the “through traffic” signal?

Scott H. Byrd

Pasadena

Dear Scott:

The lights at that Granada Hills intersection, indeed, were working inefficiently and the problem had been undetected by engineers from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Engineers are now finalizing plans to modify the signal sequence there to make it more efficient, said Brian Gallagher of the department’s traffic lights division. The new arrangements will probably resemble your suggestion.

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Dear Traffic Talk:

I enter the southbound Hollywood Freeway every day at the Sherman Way or Victory Boulevard onramps. Every single day I notice at least 10 cars that are occupied only by the driver in the carpool lanes.

I have seen only two cars in the past year cited by California Highway Patrol officers.

Some of the cars traveling in the carpool lane also cross double yellow across the freeway to catch the eastbound Ventura Freeway.

I am wondering what, if anything, is being done to monitor these lanes.

Alan Trasky

Van Nuys

Dear Alan:

The California Highway Patrol oversees 600 miles of highways in Los Angeles County. The Hollywood Freeway in that area is not known to be especially problematic.

When officers observe minor infractions, such as a carpool lane violation, they usually cite offenders unless there are calls of higher priority, said Sgt. Ernie Garcia, a spokesman for the agency.

One way for citizens to keep in touch with the agency about special problems or infractions they observe is by calling its hotline: (888) 4CHP-211.

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