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Adjustments in turn arrow timing in North Pinellas designed to move more traffic

 
istock photo
istock photo
Published Feb. 9, 2017

In North Pinellas the traffic light patterns have changed at many major intersections. Instead of the turn arrows coming at the beginning of the light cycle, they now come at the end, or the turn signals occur at the same time the adjacent lanes have the green light. Is this an experimental change or permanent? And what is the reasoning?

Steve Ferra

We asked Norm Jester, Pinellas County's traffic signal systems supervisor, to respond to this question, which is asked daily by readers of this column:

"What you are describing is what we call leading or lagging left turns. We will sometimes lag a left turn for a couple of reasons. One is that by lagging a left turn, we can give it more green time. If the opposing through traffic is light enough the left turn will come up a little early, but still stay green to the end of its programmed point in the cycle. Another reason is that lagging a left turn sometimes helps with progressing traffic to minimize stops on the main street. With traffic in Pinellas County being as congested as it is, we are always looking for an edge to help minimize congestion."

A new traffic light was recently installed at East Lake Road and Lansbrook Parkway. When cars are turning left from Lansbrook there is rarely any cross traffic coming from the east, but the turn light is solid red while the light is green to proceed east. The new light has flashing yellow arrows. The flashing yellow arrow should be on instead of a solid red light for cars turning left. It is red for a full 60 seconds and there are usually no cars going east or west through the intersection, just cars waiting to turn left onto East Lake road. Can someone adjust the light so it works correctly?

Louise Kelly

The location of this signal — it's very close to an elementary school — is an important factor in the management of the cycles. In this case, traffic managers are able to omit the flashing sequence if there is a pedestrian crossing in the path of left-turning traffic. Motorists should still get a flashing yellow arrow unless someone pushes the pedestrian crossing button before crossing East Lake Road. We shared your note with Pinellas County's traffic management folks and they are keeping check on the signal operation to verify it's operating correctly.

Barricade watch

•In Safety Harbor, drainage improvement construction on Fifth Street from Fourth Avenue S to Bayshore Boulevard that began Monday is scheduled to last approximately three weeks. Motorists should be prepared for road closure and a detour route until the week of Feb. 24.

Email Dr. Delay at docdelay@gmail.com to share your traffic concerns. Follow @AskDrDelay.