Synchronized traffic lights in ABQ (or lack thereof) (Albuquerque: school, live)

[rj.c]

I’ve lived in ABQ for a year and like it well enough – but I have a traffic question… Large sections of ABQ’s main thoroughfares are laid out as a grid – and yet traffic lights are not synchronized for the flow of traffic. In fact the lights often seem to be intentionally out of synch.

A perfect example is the (relatively new) intersection at San Mateo & I-40. Proceeding south on S.M., in less than 0.5 miles, I get to stop at:
1. Menaul
2. Cutler
3. N. side of I-40
4. S. side of I-40
5. Indian School

Even on the 2ndary, 1-way, cross-town roads Coal & Lead (which have signs posted which say the lights are synched for the posted speed limit) – the lights still are not really synched.

Does ABQ use engineers to establish traffic flow patterns? If so, why would they not synch up the areas where it’s possible??

[Zoidberg]

Recommend you bring these thoughts to the attention of D'val Westphal of the ABQ Journal. Her regular "Road Warrior" column addresses concerns such as these.

I've never had any difficulty sailing through that series of lights, though it's usually to get on or off 40. Perhaps you're just the victim of sensors and unfortunate timing. Coal and Lead have been synced every time I've used them but I haven't tried them lately.

Having been a frequent road warrior myself, I can say that Albuquerque beats both Colorado Springs and Tucson for light timing hands down. CS in particular is an abomination (ever waited at a light for 3 minutes solid?).

[Poncho_NM]

Yes, if you want a real answer the Road Warrior can get the answers.

Her web page on the Albuquerque Journal: ABQjournal blotter redirect
Her E-Mail: road@abqjournal.com

(I don't know if you can read her articles wihout being a subscriber)



Rich

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by rj.c

Even on ... Coal & Lead ... have signs posted
... the lights still are not really synched.

These light aresynched. It's the drivers that are not.

You have to be patient and most people ( probably Zoidberg is one )
want to go 35 - 45 mpg so when you go 30 ( the sychronized speed ),
they will run up on you, honk their horns and blast around you
( probably Zoidberg ).

Therefore, in order to not hit your brakes, you have to slow
down to 25 as you approach the bunched up cars ahead of you who
are stopped at the light after blasting by you earlier.

You have to go 25 because all the BDI drivers need to get back up
to 45 mph after their complete stop.

When the road is relatively clear and you are just making the greens
( it turns red as you enter the intersections ), you can go 35 or 40
to "catch-up" to the synchronization flow. However, you cannot "beat"
the synch and once you "catch-up" you have to go 30 to avoid stepping
on your brakes ( which is what costs money ).

Originally Posted by rj.c

Does ABQ use engineers to establish traffic flow patterns?

Sure.

Originally Posted by rj.c

If so, why would they not synch up the areas where it’s possible??

It's too much trouble.

Going down San Mateo, it is not a big deal to hit a few reds but traveling
Paseo del Norte it is a huge pain. The speed limit is 55 rather than 40
and you are constantly having to stop, speed up to 55 and then come to
another complete stop at the next light. It's maddening downhill because
your brakes have to work harder and going uphill, it's your engine.
Either way, it's hard on your car for no good reason.

They should be synched:
--------------------------------------
Westbound in the am on Eastern Paseo.
Eastbound in the pm on Eastern Paseo.
Eastbound in the am on Western Paseo.
Westbound in the pm on Western Paseo.

Tramway, San Mateo and all N-S roads should be synched
--------------------------------------------
Southbound in the am
Northbound in the pm

BDI = Brain Dead Idiot.

[karmathecat]

I know for a fact that Central is purposely NOT synchronized. This is/was a Martyism that he felt would encourage the support of downtown business.

[Nedely]

When it says "Signals set for posted speed limits", follow the directions. It may take a couple of streets to find your stride, but if you make an effort to slow down just enough, or speed up enough to make that green light at 30 mph, you've got an easy flowing ride for the next several miles. Another street that is like that is Comanche. I used to drive up that street multiple times EVERY DAY and it was nice nothing having to constantly stop street after street.

I also used to drive Paseo and that road could be hit or miss. There were a few times when I'd hit every red light, and there were other times when I wouldn't.

[rybert]

I believe we got stimulus monies to address our traffic light issues... should begin sometime soon.

[Zoidberg]

Originally Posted by mortimer

These light aresynched. It's the drivers that are not.

You have to be patient and most people ( probably Zoidberg is one )
want to go 35 - 45 mpg so when you go 30 ( the sychronized speed ),
they will run up on you, honk their horns and blast around you
( probably Zoidberg ).

Careful mortimer.. I'll put you in the wall.

Seriously though, that type of driving just wouldn't be physically possible in 9 out of 10 driving situations in Albuquerque.. the real BDI's are going 10 under, and requiring either 15 seconds or a honk to decide that they better let off the brake when the light turns green. Seems like there's more of them this time of year.

That's the only honking I do. My favorite expression when I see people weaving at breakneck speeds past me is "see you at the light!". Then, timing the light perfectly, I manage to outposition them by only slowing down to 15 until the light turns green and then gunning it back up to the speed limit.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Zoidberg

Careful mortimer.. I'll put you in the wall.

I know.

Originally Posted by Zoidberg

I manage to outposition them by only slowing down to 15 ...

If that wasn't annoying enough ( to have to do ), then the
BDI Driver behind you doesn't understand why you aren't
going 45 mph till the last second ...

[bob4analog]

Synchronized traffic lights in ABQ - Synchronized for RED?

This is a reoccurring phenomenon that is rather elusive, but very real.

The traffic lights in many places of Albuquerque are synchronized alright - for RED. This is something that is most upsetting to many drivers (myself included), especially at a time when something like traffic engineering employs current technology to prevent such issues with traffic flow problems.

The fact that traffic signals seem to be needlessly impeding traffic is not only unnecessary, it causes more wear and tear to vehicles, wastes more fuel and ultimately, causes more pollution.

This is no mere coincidence, it is deliberate.

After investigating this phenomenon, I had the opportunity to inquire confidentially of a few traffic engineers that work behind the scenes for the Albuquerque traffic control center.

They explained that, these days, traffic signals in most parts of the city are now set to make drivers STOP more frequently than in times past; they are NOT set up to expedite traffic flow as they were once supposed to do. They also admitted that this is not about traffic efficiency, but rather, more about politics and bureaucracy under the guise of 'Safety'. Corrupt? Sad but true.

So what can be done? Wished I knew. But the truth is now known.