Green lights hard to catch on valley roads

Pete’s frustration is one to which we all can relate: I came from an upper Midwest city which had a lot of roads synchronized to specific speeds. It was possible to travel miles without stopping for a red light, if you start out with a green light and travel the specified speed. Do they synchronize the lights here?

Pete used Pebble Road between Eastern Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard as an example.

He said if you travel well below the speed limit or well above it, you might catch a green light. If you travel the speed limit, no dice. We’ve visited this topic before and I’m sure I’ll get an earful from readers who don’t buy the Regional Transportation Commission’s explanation, but here goes: Busier streets take precedence over smaller roads. So in this case, Eastern and Las Vegas Boulevard have priority over Pebble, so those drivers are more likely to continue along, uninterrupted by red lights.

Lights on certain streets, mostly well-traveled arterials, are coordinated with speeds but other factors also play a role. RTC crews also look at the time of the day, the day of the week and the travel demand, according to spokeswoman Tracy Bower.

Pete, part two: What is the average wait time for left-turn arrows?

Sorry Pete, this is basically the same answer as above. Apparently there isn’t an average time. Those lights also are set to meet the needs of traffic flow depending on the time of day and traffic volume.

If readers have a problem with a certain traffic signal, send me a note with the exact location, the time of day and the day of the week. Traffic engineers are willing to see if the clock has slipped and a problem exists.

Kristine asks: What time in the morning are ramp meters turned on at southbound Interstate 15 and Cheyenne Avenue? I’ve driven by between 7:15 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Sometimes they’re on and sometimes they are not.

Well Kristine, you are correct, they do turn on at different times. The folks at the Regional Transportation Commission say that the timing is based on traffic volumes so they turn on automatically when traffic on the freeway reaches a certain level. The computers and cameras determine the speed of the traffic on the ramp and the freeway to determine how quickly motorists can safely enter the interstate.

Ralph is wondering about Rancho: They recently installed traffic signals along Rancho Drive just north of Charleston Boulevard, but they are still covered. Any idea when they plan to turn them on? It will be helpful to people who live along Palomino.

According to the city of Las Vegas, those lights will be activated in the next few weeks, Ralph. Sorry I couldn’t give you a more detailed answer, but I will try to keep you posted.

John asks about Simmons: If you travel northbound Simmons Street and hit Lake Mead Boulevard, they should put in a right-turn only lane because traffic backs up. Are there plans to do so?

Sorry John, according to North Las Vegas officials, there are no plans to make improvements to that intersection.

Leanne thinks this stinks: In the area of Vegas Valley Drive on the east side of town between Treeline and Cabana drives, there lies the wastewater treatment plant — oh joy! Anyway, there have been about 10 very long pipes and a lot of construction and cones — not concerning the street itself but the plant — it looks like they are pumping stuff through the pipes. Any time frame for completion of this project?

Leanne, the city of Las Vegas is relining three sewer pipes that lead into the treatment plant, according to spokesman Jace Radke. Sewage flow must bypass the pipes while they are being relined and that is where those black pipes you see on the roadway comes in.

You are exactly right, Leanne, the sewage is flowing through those 13 pipes and it will continue to until July. That is when the project is expected to be finished, the pipes hauled away and the traffic control removed.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Include your phone number.