Description
Something is not right at the intersection of Atwater Avenue and Seymour Avenue heading towards Seymour Avenue that needs attention. It's been this way for a long time and I am surprised no one has resolved it. As you can see by this photo, the signal facing Atwater has TWO signals on it. When a traffic signal has two lights on it, it is supposed to be because there are TWO lanes of traffic at that stop and the dual signals are required to direct both lanes of traffic.
Not the case here. Yes, the road is wide enough for two lines at this signal and yes, many cars need to make a right turn so they can enter Rt. 8 at that entrance. However, the road is not striped for two lanes so vehicles (unsure of where to stop) end up in the middle of the road between the two signals which prevents cars wanting to make a legal right on red to drive down Seymour Avenue from doing so because they are "blocked" by the cars technically stopped in the center of what should be two lanes according to the signal.
I have seen cars back up here often because of this. You want to turn right down Seymour but are blocked by several cars who want to go left towards downtown Derby but are between the two signals (and lanes) and prevent them from doing so.
Two options here.
1. That signal should be a single light and is dangerous as currently configured. One signal needs to be taken down so it matches the road, which is currently striped as one lane.
2. The signal is correct, the road is supposed to be two lanes and Derby needs to stripe it as such at the intersection so cars know to get into one lane or the other solving the backup problem.
How does this get resolved?
11 Comments
Planner (Registered User)
Display Name Blocked (344547) (Registered User)
Just because an intersection has two lights does not mean there are 2 lanes. The pavement markings will tell you how many lanes. The redundant lights are there in case one goes out, or if a truck blocks one, you can still see the status of the signal. This is by design. With that being said, this intersection is not the easiest to navigate and should be evaluated.
See 10.1 http://www.ct.gov/dot/lib/dot/documents/dtrafficdesign/sigmanapproved2009.pdf
Ryan Healey (Registered User)
Planner, once again as others have asked, please stop asking people in 2014 to pick up the phone and call people. It creates no official public record (as this site and others do) that the problem has been raised nor does it foster discussion among residents.
William, I scratch my head at your response. So every intersection SHOULD have two signals even if it's one lane in case one goes out or a truck blocks one?! That would mean 90% of the intersections with lights in the valley are not setup correctly and this one is cutting edge due to it's "redundant lighting".
Display Name Blocked (344547) (Registered User)
Display Name Blocked (344547) (Registered User)
Planner (Registered User)
As for not calling the PD- Derby does not even have its own website! How do you assume they will get your complaint from a private site like SCF? This is not "Public Record" by the way. I've also never understood the assertion that it's better to write your complaint here rather than to call someone who can do something about it. Posting here (BTW, I love SCF) is like writing on a cave wall if the City is not participating.
Display Name Blocked (344547) (Registered User)
Closed Ryan Healey (Registered User)
All you have to do when posting is check the tread and it will tell you that a copy of your message here has been sent to X, Y and Z. Normally, those ARE the Mayor's office, perhaps Public Works, etc. No, this is not an official site but there are posts from city employees (even the Ansonia mayor's office once) saying this site IS monitors and saying it was a valuable resource.
SO, if in 2014 a city department does not have a web site for reporting problems, this is going to have to be it.
Planner (Registered User)
Planner (Registered User)
Ryan Healey (Registered User)
Thanks Planner.
This is one reason I put my hand up at "call your alderman" or "visit the mayor's office". In most cases it's clear from this site those with the power to fix the problems ARE getting copies of these posts so no excuse to not take action.