AJC - Take to Task: Tackling Traffic Signals

[rjluna2]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Friday, March 26, 2010, Metro Section, page B2

Take to Task What's not working

Tackling traffic signals

Atlanta

   After a call from Take to Task, Atlanta's Department of Public Works made repairs to a pair of malfunctioning traffic signals that had been frustrating drivers at a busy Atlanta location whenever there was bad weather.
   Linda Straw e-mailed Take to Task about the two signals - one at Northside Parkway and 14th Street, the other at Northside and Hemphill Avenue.  Straw works in the area and says both signals would switch from the normal red/yellow/green cycle to a flashing yellow status every time it rained or there was other inclement weather.
   "It happens at least once a month if not more often," Straw wrote, "and snarls traffic for miles since it causes tentative crossing by motorists in all directions at both of the non-functioning lights.  It can add 15-20 minutes to my commute every time it happens."
   We reported the problematic signals to Atlanta's Department of Public Works last Thursday and received an encouraging response by day's end.
   "[Our department] has inestigated these locations and [identified] a malfunctioning control panel," said spokeswoman Valerie Bell-Smith.  She said adjustments would be made to correct the problem by the following Monday.
   Bell-Smith also reminded us that anyone can report traffic signal problems directly to the city's traffic control center by calling xxx-xxx-xxxx or e-mailing **********@********.***.
   Take to Task looks forward to hearing a positive reports from Straw about her commmute after our next heavy rain.

John Becker

[gailgrove]

Thats a rather odd problem, at my house we some times lose our cable when it rains really hard.

[Nevada Willis]

[rjluna2]

That's cool you have this patch