Bad Carma

Bad Carma is not in the same league as Bad Dog. To a Traffic Engineer, Bad Carma means, SOS! Mayday! Buckle Up! Whereas to a pet owner, Bad Dog means, “Call Caesar and start the whispering.” To be clear, Bad Carma does not involve whispering (except maybe under your breath, just a little, once in a while).

Bad Carma is subtle and insidious. It develops slowly — almost imperceptibly. And then, WHAM! Traffic twisters everywhere: waiting at red lights for no reason, long lines at remote intersections, avoiding the beloved roundabout, school traffic backing up onto streets. The list goes on…

However, traffic problems are fixable. But if by fixable you think I mean they can be fixed, well, that’s not what I mean at all. What I mean is, there is a “next step” — there is always One Thing that can be done almost immediately (today?) to mitigate the botheration. So, for illustration purposes, I’ll choose an example from the previous list:

Waiting at Red Lights (for no reason)

First of all, traffic signals are more intelligent than you might realize. In fact, you are more intelligent than what people probably realize (ha – just kidding). Have you ever noticed that huge cabinet sitting on the corner of the intersection? Over there next to the guy with the spinny sign? Well, contained within is a very large and powerful brain (I’m referring to the traffic signal cabinet, not the guy with the spinny sign). And that computer is capable of constantly and instantly adjusting the length of the green light (or the length of red light) (but not the length of yellow light — you can’t change the yellow light — don’t even think about it). And believe it or not, the length of the green light (or the red light, but not the yellow light) is all based on how many cars are actually present, moment by moment, by moment…

This magic happens through the use of vehicle detection devices (VDD’s) hidden in the roadway. These marvelous devices, installed late at night when no one is around, alert the traffic signal computer to the presence of super big metal objects (also cars, trucks, and some motorcycles).

So then, why do we still encounter red lights for no reason? The most likely explanation is the initial signal timings are no longer appropriate. When first constructed, preliminary timings are installed based on existing traffic volumes and existing traffic patterns. After a period of time, traffic volumes increase and patterns change. In other words: adjustments require adjusting. Are red lights longer than necessary? Turn arrows becoming appropriate? Pedestrian signals needed? Or perhaps, special detection providing priority to emergency vehicles? And occasionally, the magical detection devices themselves fail and must be replaced (or installed)…

Sound familiar? Growing up, you were undoubtedly told, “Remember, traffic signals are magical, but only if you adjust the timings every once in a while — now finish your broccoli.”

So before your Carma runs over my Dogma, please, update your signal timings, early and often. Now, what’s next on that list…

Chet Skwarcan has over 25 years of traffic engineering experience and can be reached at Chet@TrafficEngineering.com.

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