Title
An ordinance extending night flash operations at selected signalized intersections and authorizing Traffic Engineering Division staff to add or remove locations to the night flash operations or to adjust night flash times as traffic engineering judgement dictates.
Body
The City Council, at their meeting on August 5, 2013, authorized Traffic Engineering staff to implement night flash operations at 34 signalized intersections of major arterials with local and collector streets. During a night flash operation, the signal indications on the major street flashes yellow and the signal indications on the minor street flashes red. This operation is currently programmed to occur during deep night low traffic volumes from 11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The primary benefit of the night flash operation is a reduction of delays on both the main arterial and the intersecting cross street. Reduction of delay time has a side effect of reducing air pollution from cars idling at intersections waiting for a green light. The night flash operation has been in effect at the 34 authorized locations since August 25, 2013.
Staff has received requests from citizens to extend night flash times to further reduce delays. Findings from a survey of area cities night flash operations show that accepted times of operation range from 10:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Staff recommends extending the night flash operation from 11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. to the proposed night flash operation from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., beginning June 1, 2019.
Recommended/Desired Action
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance.
Attachment(s)
Ordinance
City Manager Memorandum
List of authorized night flash locations
Location Map
Drafter
Srini Mandayam, P.E.
Head of Department
Matthew Holzapfel, P.E.