Palm Springs & Desert area Real Estate

Palm Springs Area Real Estate Sales.

RUSSELL HILL, Realtor, HomeSmart, 760.898.8399; russell@poolsidewithrussell.com,DRE 1427657

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Protected/permissive left turns

The Desert Sun reports this morning that the city plans to update the traffic signal at Farrell and Tahquitz to allow protected/permissive left turns. They say this will reduce idle time, which will improve air quality and will also reduce traffic delays. Visit the city's public works and engineering department to see the details of this program.

I've seen a much better system in place in Idaho. I've talked about it before, and think it works great. Essentially, left turn signals go from red, to green (arrow) to blinking yellow. Traffic is allowed to continue to turn left on a blinking yellow arrow, so long as it's safe to do so. At really busy intersections, the protected green arrow is longer, with the blinking yellow (proceed with caution) on a shorter cycle. Some major intersections don't allow the blinking yellow, proceed with caution turn, while other intersections don't offer a protected green arrow.

LAObserved also reports of new traffic light technology

I think this system, with a little public education, would work well in Palm Springs. Share your comments here. If you think this system would work here, call city hall today!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hate to say this but in PS with so many elderly drivers I would not introduce anything so revolutionary. It would confuse them and cause accidents.

Not even sure what a blinking yellow is really supposed to mean. The solution is better sensor technology to direct flow.