Comments on: Avalon/Genesee signal timing: SDOT says they’re working on it

By: helridge

helridge — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 20:19:11 +0000

Eh Robert, maybe some of them idiots know how to spell…and follow a conversation.

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 18:36:18 +0000

THE DOT NEEDS TO FOLLOW ENGLANDS SYSTEM FOR TURNS, WHEN YOU TURN RIGHT GO TO THE OUTSIDE LANE THEN TURN INTO THE RIGHT-OUTSIDE LANE NOT THE CENTER LANE .. EXERSIZE THE SHOLDERS, WORK SOME OF THE FAT BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL ..THEY EVEN PAINT a little white line for the idiots to follow….

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:38:45 +0000

Take it out.

By: Nancy F.

Nancy F. — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:59:09 +0000

@sb2780: The 35th Ave / Avalon / Fauntleroy…area is a pain. I thought it was illegal to turn left across a double yellow line as people do when turning left out of the 7-11 to east/north on Avalon. But from what I read in the code, it’s not. It’s still not something I would attempt. For what it’s worth, I don’t know of a Genesee exit from the West Seattle Bridge. Genesee does run into Fauntleroy just past where 35th hits Fauntleroy, but it’s a local traffic only street between Fauntleroy and Avalon. And that’s a 124.00 fine, IIRC. So, unfortunately, it’s not a great solution. It would be nice to know what, if any, plans are in the works for that area now that Rapid Ride is routed.

By: sb2780

sb2780 — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:47:48 +0000

This is sort of a side issue–but even more of a problem now with the light, is the problem of people attempting to turn left onto avalon out of the 7-11. I have seen more than a few people in the last week turn into the oncoming traffic lane to try and bypass folks lined up in the left turn lane for 35th. I don’t understand why people don’t just turn right and use the genessee street exit off of the WS bridge–especially now that there is a light there.

By: Nancy F.

Nancy F. — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:34:55 +0000

As reported, SDOT sent an engineer out to review it _yesterday_ afternoon (Thursday).
If new problems have cropped up since yesterday, or if the old issue is still occurring, please write to traffic.signals@seattle.gov and report the day, time of day, and problem. I suggest that you say what direction you were headed, whether you were turning left or right, and whether you were in a line of cars.
I believe they changed the setting for westbound Genesee to recognize vehicles stopped further up. This means that it may be triggered by people turning right. I expect that may, again, need tweaking. The intersection is a bear.
I would encourage you to write, also, if you have problems starting up mid-hill, especially when it’s wet. (Though, remember to downshift!)
I doubt that the fact one is occasionally inconvenienced by their fellows is the sort of problem a traffic engineer can solve.

By: GAnative

GAnative — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:15:48 +0000

“uphill (westbound) approach on Genesee uses video detection, and when (an engineer) was at the site earlier this week he did notice drivers pulling forward, well past the stop bar markings”

OK, so the first car pulled up too far but the video detection should be able to see at least one of the 15 cars lined up behind the first car that waited through 5 cycles of the light turning red on Avalon but never turning green on Genesee before they gave up and started turning left on red. I was car #2.

By: kayo

kayo — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:38:19 +0000

“The wait on Avalon is ridiculous now to get to the bridge.” Wait a minute. Avalon is NOT a freeway on ramp. If you are in such a big hurry go up to 35th and get on the bridge that way. Attitudes like this are EXACTLY why this light was needed. People going 50 mph on Avalon to get to the freeway needed to be slowed down. As someone heading west on Genesee at least a few times every single day, I feel much safer with the light there. The kinks (which I have not personally experienced) will get worked out.

By: m

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 06:55:06 +0000

last sunday, was on genesee and going uphill. stopped at the red light at the avalon intersection, wanting to turn left. waited while the avalon lights went through 3 cycles, cars lining up behind me and then finally turned right instead. noticed all the cars behind me did the same thing as i was driving away.

By: Cclarue

Cclarue — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 06:41:59 +0000

I am just glad it is there!!

By: kayo

kayo — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 05:21:56 +0000

I have not experienced this problem yet even though I have been through the intersection several times in different configurations heading west on Genesee. Not sure why i have not run into these problems. I have been glad for the light so far. If I have any issues I guess I will send in an email as it sounds like there are some kinks to work out based on other’s experiences.

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 05:16:18 +0000

I knew we should never have installed this piece of crap light.

Disappointing they’re telling people not to pull up all the way on that extremely steep hill. With a big line of cars, that’s exactly where you want to be – on the slope with the possibility to roll backwards or skid in the rain. (sarcasm)

But it’s also disappointing the light lets anybody through east/westbound as soon as they pull up. The wait on Avalon is ridiculous now to get to the bridge.

By: helridge

helridge — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:57:19 +0000

a – Apparently it’s only accommodating eastbound Genesee, and it’s already another headache! …as is the Genesee/Delridge light!!

By: Anna Eileen

Anna Eileen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:48:29 +0000

Per an email exchange on the North Delridge disti list earlier this week, for many of us there was a line of cars on Genesee turning left so the theory of a car pulling to far forward doesn’t really work if there is a line of cars. I was in a long line waiting that gave up and ran the red light. Nice to have the light during rush hour but it does need better timing. The city acknowledged they might need to do adjustments and that sounds like the case.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:25:30 +0000

Video sensor doesn’t work properly. Stopped at mark, light went through multiple cycles with traffic backed up ten or more cars. Resorted to traversing intersection when eastbound Genesee got the light. There will be an accident soon.