Traffic lights improved at Cinderella Plaza
Anyone who drove through Cinderella Plaza over the weekend now knows the true meaning of the word “confusion”. Things may be getting a bit more organized, however, as I found out this afternoon.
After being out of commission for over a month, the lights at Freetown Road intersection are finally up and running. The new system, which has been downgraded to a two-phase controller, effectively regulates traffic as well as providing pedestrians with crosswalks. Colwin Flowers is the City Engineer.
Colwin Flowers, City Engineer
“Okay in a two phase system that we have here now, the pedestrian phase will run concurrent, meaning that when we give a green to Freetown, pedestrians can walk on the two cross walks parallel to the traffic and when the second phase comes in for Douglas Jones Street, and the Plaza, pedestrians can also walk parallel with traffic.”
But as we observed, some drivers were having a difficult time understanding the new system. Many drivers making left turns apparently were not certain as to when they should move.
Colwin Flowers
It’s very important for left turners: vehicles that have the desire to turn left; they are on what we call a permissive move. What they have to do is turn when it is safe to do so. They must wait nearest to the yellow double centerline and then execute that turn when there is no vehicle sufficiently close to constitute a hazard and also after pedestrians to their left, crossing parallel to traffic has been cleared.”
We also observed a number of drivers stopping well into the cross walks, instead of behind them. This practice says Flowers, is illegal.
Colwin Flowers
“All vehicles should come to a stop behind the cross walk, that is their limit line. From that point they will be able to see the traffic and also leave room for the pedestrians.”
Flowers says because they have changed the lights’ design and have replaced the old components with new ones, they do not anticipate any problems at the intersection in the near future.
The new installation carries a price tag of around ten thousand dollars. Meanwhile, with regard to the new lights on Central American Boulevard, it’s so far, so good.
