Tackling city-related maintenance issues in our neighborhoods
Long red lights
Some neighborhoods in Preston Hollow abut busier roads, and some residents encounter prolonged red lights that can cause traffic to pile up on our quieter streets, especially during rush hour. When the signal finally turns green, drivers may have just a few seconds to make it through the intersection.
Q: How do I get an unusually long red light shortened?
A: Submit a request, and hope the traffic volumes work in your favor.
The process is simple. Call 311, and ask for a signal time adjustment for your location. It’s important to include the time of day the problem occurs, says Beth Ramirez, assistant director of Street Services. “Traffic volumes change throughout the day, so the area may be better in the morning than the afternoon.” Once reported, the request immediately gets assigned to a traffic engineer who investigates whether the change is warranted by comparing traffic volumes on the opposing streets. “If there is one car to every 50 cars, I’m sorry. They’re going to have to wait. There are instances where an area has changed due to new development, and the signal times do need to be updated.” Signal times vary greatly throughout the city, and they may not be as long as people think they are. Ramirez says that during peak times, the average signal time is 1 and a half to 2 and a half minutes — that’s the length for the entire cycle from green to yellow to red.
Got a question? Email launch@advocatemag.com.
