New Traffic Signals at Muirwood Drive and West Las Positas Boulevard in Operation for First Day of School Post Holiday Break Went Smoothly

Last August 22, 2011, the first day of school, we compiled a traffic count West Las Positas Boulevard and Muirwood Drive — when it was a four-way stop.

Today we compiled another traffic count with the new traffic signal in operation.

Results for today are posted below, alongside the August traffic count for comparison.

January 9, 2012 - 0745 to 0800 Hours.   August 22, 2011 - 0745 to 0800 Hours

40 Pedestrians                                      49 Pedestrians

25 Cyclists                                            36 Cyclists

  3 Large Contruction Trucks                     4 Large Construction Trucks

  8 Buses                                                6 Buses

1215 Motor Vehicles                               1163 Motor Vehicles 

I thought that the traffic flow into and out of this intersection went very well, much better than when the intersection was a four-way stop last August.

However, there are a couple of bugs to iron out with the timing of the traffic signals and continued analytical with the microwave detection units.

1. Traffic tended to back up from Foothill Road back down to Muirwood Drive at the intersection.

2. Traffic attempting right-hand turns did not allow through-traffic to move into the intersection.

There were six red light runners this morning — one of the red light runners was a Desoto Taxi Cab.

A handful of drivers were inconsiderate in allowing cyclists and pedestrians to clear the cross walks.

A city traffic engineer was on site this morning monitoring the traffic flow into and out of the intersection. He mentioned that they do not have the microwave detection units turned on yet except for one above the south east signal — it is on.

I spoke with Mike Beck of Western Pacific Signal last Thursday, because he was on site working on the timing of the microwave units.

These units detect motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and because it is a close-in, "small" intersection, getting the timing just right is a bit of a problem.

They will continue to work with the units.