Last week, my seemingly harmless article complaining about Long Beach traffic garnered a huge public response. Apparently, the column caught the eye of the person in charge of it all: City Traffic Engineer David Roseman. David and I exchanged e-mails about the issue, which you can read here. His response appears first, then mine, and then a final send-off from him.
Yes, I am out here and I take a keen interest in the ideas, comments, and suggestions of the residents, businesses, and visitors of Long Beach. Traffic signal timing is really the confluence of safety standards, a little bit of math, and a little bit of engineering judgment. Good traffic signal timing, in my opinion, is an art form… it’s easy to spot the masterpiece in the studio even if you aren’t an artist, just like drivers can appreciate good signal timing with out being an engineer. Unfortunately, in today’s urban environment it is mathematically impossible to provide progression in a traffic signal system for all directions of travel on every road all the time, so engineers have to make compromises. In Long Beach, it is Don Tran who is the traffic engineer that has the responsibility for the traffic signals that keep all of us moving 24-7-365. Every traffic signal project implemented by us in the past five years Don has designed and timed. He has also retimed hundreds of traffic signals across the City in the last five years to make sure that our system operates at its most efficient in reacting to the changing demands of a growing City. Of course there is only so much one man can accomplish … and there is only one man performing this task. Don and I share a common vision about how our traffic signals should operate and that vision is our driving force in practicing the art of signal timing.
First and foremost is safety … some traffic signals in the City do intentionally turn red to stop speeding cars. Some traffic signals stay red longer to accommodate crossings frequented by youth and seniors and many traffic signals automatically turn green for approaching emergency vehicles.
Our second principal is to run the shortest cycle length possible to reduce delays to drivers. This means that the signal “turns quicker” so you don’t have to wait longer.
Third, we attempt to accommodate the most people through intersections, which is not always people in cars. For example, the traffic signals on Long Beach Boulevard are set for the progression of the Blue Line trains not the cars driving besides the train. At Wilson High School one of the traffic signals provides priority to students over cars during school hours. There is a lot to this stuff, and we aren’t perfect. Don also doesn’t control all the traffic signals within the City. Caltrans controls Pacific Coast Highway, all freeway ramp signals, and some signals along 7th Street and in the port. LA County, the City of Signal Hill, and other agencies also have jurisdiction over the operation of some of our boarder signals. As for Willow, I too have experienced frustration in traveling that corridor between Temple and Atlantic; however, those traffic signals are not Don’s, they belong to the City of Signal Hill. As for 2nd & PCH, another frustrating location, the intersection is controlled by Caltrans. We are working with Caltrans to integrate our traffic signals on 2nd Street into their system since they are not interested in having Don exercise his “art” on that problem. We appreciate the interest in what we do and welcome comments and suggestions.
David Roseman
City Traffic Engineer
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful response. As I guessed, it might be more complicated than I could fully appreciate as a (very impatient) driver.
I wonder if we can hear from Signal Hill’s officials (Bill Zimmerman? Barbara Munoz?) who have authority over traffic. (I won’t bother – just now – with Caltrans.) Sorry for dropping the ball on Long Beach area geography; I always have trouble with that particular area of meandering intercity border.
I think you guys do a fine job with a very difficult set of tasks before you. I hope into the list of factors you consider, environmental concerns can be introduced if they have not already been.
It is striking though: The areas outside of Long Beach territory do seem to be the worst offenders. Wonder if our readers would like to contribute comments on the worst intersections and stretches of road around the area. It would be interesting to see how many are in Long Beach as compared to neighboring jurisdictions.
Thanks again for your time and interest! Hope you’ll continue reading the column.
Best,
Daniel
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I would also welcome reader’s comments/input on what they perceive are bad intersections or stretches of road. Constructive feedback is always good.
As for environmental factors… I assume you are referring to minimizing air pollution from vehicles… yes, that is a consideration… that is why we attempt to run shorter cycle lengths whenever possible to limit the amount of time vehicles idle at stop lights.
I don’t know if you are aware but Barbara Munoz used to work here in Public Works for many years and she just left for the City of Signal Hill. I don’t have her direct number, but we’ll call over there tomorrow and ask her to read your article and respond back to you. Bill Zimmerman is a consulting engineer under contract to the City of Signal Hill… he works with us as well from time to time… I believe I will see him later in the week and I’ll point him to the article as well.
David Roseman
City Traffic Engineer