Flashing Red Light Serves Safety Concern

Dear Traffic Talk:

There is a traffic light for people exiting the shopping center at Laurel Canyon and Ventura boulevards. But the light at Laurel Canyon never turns green. It is just a flashing red, which seems to confuse people and slows the egress.

Ron Raschke

Studio City

Dear Ron:

A flashing red rather than a normal-cycle light was set at that location for safety reasons.

The decision was made considering the type of driveway provided by the property owner, said Brian Gallagher of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation traffic lights division.

The driveway’s design does not feature grade-change at the point where the driveway crosses the sidewalk. Consequently, pedestrians--particularly the visually impaired--do not anticipate traffic controls and are likely to walk straight across the driveway.

The flashing red light forces motorists exiting the shopping center to stop and check for pedestrians on the sidewalk before proceeding into the intersection.

If the driveway’s grade differed from that of the sidewalk, pedestrians would look for traffic controls because they would have to step down to cross. A green light would have been installed then, Gallagher said.

The city of Los Angeles has a permit process through which property owners, if they wish, can modify their driveways.

At this point, Gallagher said, his agency favors safety over efficiency. Drivers need to yield to pedestrians and traffic--including opposing left-turns--before proceeding.

Dear Traffic Talk:

For many months now I have been disturbed by the missing Botts dots on the westbound Ronald Reagan Freeway between Woodley and Balboa avenues.

The lighting is dim in that area and it is especially hard at night to distinguish each lane.

I find this very troublesome, particularly during rains.

Marion Swarthout

Northridge

Dear Marion:

A Caltrans work crew is scheduled to replace the ceramic pavement markers in that area on Feb. 1, if weather does not interfere, according to authorities.

This summer the agency also plans to install new thermoplastic striping over the buttons, said Pat Reid, a spokeswoman for the agency.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Why do the signs along Ventura Boulevard directing motorists to the Ventura Freeway read “east” and “west” while those at the actual freeway onramps read “north” and “south”?

I have lived in the Valley for 17 years and this has always puzzled me.

Cathy Nordlund

Woodland Hills

Dear Cathy:

Two agencies install signs directing traffic toward the freeways: the L.A. Department of Transportation and Caltrans.

The city uses “east” and “west” for the Ventura Freeway on city streets because the highway travels through town in those directions.

Caltrans uses “north” and “south” at its onramps because, overall, the freeway is a north-south route exiting L.A. into Ventura County and then connecting California with Oregon and Washington.

Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Readers may submit comments and questions about traffic in the Valley to Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted. To record your comments, call (818) 772-3303. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to valley@latimes.com