4-Way Stop Signs Are Sufficient

Dear Traffic Talk:

Can a traffic signal be installed at the intersection of Vaughn Street and Dronfield Avenue in Pacoima?

Vaughn has become a shortcut for motorists getting off the Foothill Freeway at the Paxton Street and Foothill Boulevard exits. These drivers go west on Vaughn to numerous industrial facilities on Arroyo Street and Dronfield.

Many schoolchildren travel near here to go to Broadous Elementary School and Maclay Middle School. There have been many accidents at this intersection in recent years. Can anything be done?

Raymond L. Jackson

San Fernando

Dear Raymond:

Following a comprehensive traffic engineering study of the Vaughn and Dronfield intersection, officials determined the location does not need a signal, said East Valley District transportation engineer Irwin L. Chodash of the city Department of Transportation.

Four-way stop signs control traffic on Vaughn and Dronfield, which are both 40 feet wide, officials said. An investigation showed that the all-way stop signs adequately control motorists’ right of way and are more restrictive than a signal because they require drivers to stop from all approaches, Chodash said.

Engineers reviewed the intersection’s vehicle and pedestrian traffic and reported accidents and found that none of the guidelines for justifying a traffic signal was met, he said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

What’s the phone number for the city’s speed hump program? I would like some humps put on my street, because teenagers are constantly racing up and down the block.

Marta Alfaro

Van Nuys

Dear Marta:

You may call the city Department of Transportation’s speed hump program at (213) 580-5214. To get humps installed, the city requires a request in writing, indicating on which street and within which limits residents want the humps.

Also include your name, address and phone number with the request and send it to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Speed Hump Program, 221 N. Figueroa St., Suite 300, Los Angeles 90012. You may also fax it to (213) 580-5580.

Officials will send you an information package and a petition for residents’ signatures.

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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. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to valley.news@latimes.com.