Study signals quicker commute

June Casagrande

As soon as next week, motorists on Jamboree Road could enjoy an

easier commute.

Jamboree is the first site for the city’s new traffic signal

synchronization plan. MacArthur Boulevard will be next to get

synchronized signals, about two weeks later. The two roads will serve

as test sites for what City Manager Homer Bludau said will be a

widespread program of smarter street signals.

“We’re going to change the timing sequence on traffic signals

along Jamboree and then Macarthur in order to accommodate a smoother

flow of traffic that will require fewer stops at red lights,” Bludau

said. “Hopefully, we’ll get people to better observe the speed limit

because they will be rewarded by hitting green traffic lights.”

The signals will be reprogrammed based on a study conducted

earlier this year of about 100 intersections throughout the city. The

study was performed by consultant Meyer, Mohaddes Associates Inc. as

part of an $80,000 contract awarded in December. A portion of those

funds will also cover the cost of training city staff to analyze

traffic data and to use a state-of-the-art traffic software program

to manage the timing of city intersections.

After Jamboree and MacArthur are on line, city officials hope that

Coast Highway will be next. But that could be tricky, because that

road is owned by Caltrans, which uses different software to control

its signals. Bludau said that, based on preliminary talks with

Caltrans, he’s optimistic that the state agency will work to time

signals on that roadway, as well.

Eventually, signals on many other city streets will also be

synchronized.

Most traffic signals in the city are individually timed to change

color based on estimated traffic flows, many of which are now

outdated. The new system will use actual traffic counts. The new

signal durations will be set coordinated with other signals on the

same roads to assure that motorists hit as few red lights as

possible.

“I don’t think that people are going to notice a big difference

right away,” Bludau said. “But I think that, over time, people are

going to recognize that traveling the major thoroughfares at the

posted speed limit that they’ll be making more green signals than

they have in the past.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].