Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Traffic lights @SW Oregon and Fauntleroy Way
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March 24, 2015 at 5:03 am #817047
JTBParticipantHas anyone else noticed a change in the timing of the traffic light at this intersection recently that causes a back-up on Oregon for traffic trying to make a Left onto Fauntleroy? Seems only four cars can make it through most of the time without someone running a red.
March 24, 2015 at 5:48 am #823099
clulessinwsParticipantI’ve noticed that too. Maybe “find it fix it” can help?
March 24, 2015 at 3:05 pm #823100
TanDLParticipantThe last couple of times I’ve taken that route I’ve sat through 2 of those stoplights, initially stopping behind the the bowling alley building on Oregon. The backups on Oregon are getting longer and longer.
March 24, 2015 at 4:03 pm #823101
JTBParticipantThanks for the input. I think this is a recent development. I’ve filled out a maintenance request online citing a traffic light timing issue which is creating a hazardous condition (blocking 38th Ave SW). I don’t know if this is the best way to get some help but I’ve never had any response from leaving voicemails on the SDOT automated lines.
March 24, 2015 at 5:43 pm #823102
clulessinwsParticipantThanks jtb! I believe that is the right path. I feel the same way you do about not getting a response. My latest inquiry was about the light at 35th for eastbound Avalon. Traffic backs up on to Fauntleroy now that a bike lane is where people used to line up for right turns.
March 24, 2015 at 6:06 pm #823103
schwaggyParticipantI have written SDOT 3 times about this intersection, the timing of lights, and the “box blockers” heading toward the bridge preventing left turns from Oregon. Here is their latest reply. They sampled the traffic ONE MORNING ONLY.
Thank you for writing to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) regarding Fauntleroy Way Southwest and Southwest Oregon Street. We apologize for the delay in responding to you.
We did a site visit on 2/11/2015. We watched the intersection from 7:13 AM to 8:45 AM. Vehicles on northbound Fauntleroy Way Southwest stopped at the south crosswalk when they had the red light. Vehicles on eastbound Southwest Oregon Street were able to turn northbound onto Fauntleroy Way Southwest without any vehicles blocking the intersection. The only time Southwest Oregon Street vehicles had any interference from northbound Fauntleroy Way Southwest traffic was when a Metro bus was picking passengers up on the southeast corner of Fauntleroy Way Southwest, and even then the intersection cleared immediately and Southwest Oregon Street traffic was not bottled up.
When we review requests such as yours, we review data that may include, but not limited to, speed limits, traffic volumes, reported collision history, road width and visibility. This information is used to make decisions on whether or not new or additional engineering enhancements should be considered. We evaluated this location, including a review of the safety history, and the data suggests the section of roadway is operating as planned for ordinary travel. After our review, we regret that it is not a high priority to make further engineering modifications at Fauntleroy Way Southwest and Southwest Oregon Street.
SDOT wants our street system to operate safely and efficiently for all users. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. If you have any other questions or would like to talk further about this review, please feel free to contact William Burns directly at william.burns@seattle.gov or (206) 684-5114. Mr. Burns will be happy to speak with you further.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Conrad
Traffic Operations Division
Seattle Department of Transportation
March 24, 2015 at 6:23 pm #823104
JTBParticipantSchwaggy,
Thanks very much for your comment and the response which give us someone to contact directly.
My concern is slightly different than yours; it doesn’t involve obstructing traffic from Fauntleroy but inadequate time for eastbound traffic on Oregon to move through the light. I’m not sure when the timing of the lights was changed, but is was relatively recent. Anyone observing the intersection at the time of day they report will notice a back up on Oregon.
In any case, I will contact Mr. Burns.
March 24, 2015 at 6:36 pm #823105
schwaggyParticipantThe change to the timing is fairly recent, but at least a month if not a bit longer. They changed the timing at Avalon and Fauntleroy Way SW as well, turning left on to Fauntleroy Way from Avalon (Starbucks on your right, Cleaners in front of you). Only 4 cars get through before turning yellow. I am guilty of running the yellow/red at both of these intersections since the change. It’s simply too short.
March 24, 2015 at 6:46 pm #823106
JTBParticipantI have spoken with Mr. Burns who was open and aware of the numerous issues at that intersection. He also noted the timing of the signal seemed short. He gave me the contact information for a person who handles signals for more follow up. He was also receptive to my comments about the need for better signage for vehicles on westbound Alaska approaching 42 Ave SW so they can prepare to change lanes in the next block if they want to avoid the left only lane at California.
March 24, 2015 at 7:23 pm #823107
schwaggyParticipantNiiiiiiiiiiice! Thanks so much for calling
March 28, 2015 at 12:20 am #823108
clulessinwsParticipantThe light at Oregon is still only letting a few cars go at various times of the day, including about 10 minutes ago. Hope they fix it soon. I’ve traveled through it for 10 years + and until recently, never saw people turning left on to OR from eastbound Fauntleroy. It happens often now and causes a problem because they can basically only go on a red (when OR has a green) further delaying the small amount of time OR already has.
I heard back from sdot on Avalon eastbound at 35th. Construction damaged a sensor which has been limiting the green time. Grrr.
March 28, 2015 at 3:28 am #823109
JTBParticipantI have exchanged voicemails with the person responsible for the timing of the lights. He said the entire strip along Fauntleroy is scheduled to be readjusted, but he didn’t say when. I said it would be good to deal with this light as soon as possible because it does make more of a hazard at an intersection they’ve already identified as problematic even before this recent change. I don’t know the in’s and out’s of adjusting one light but I imagine that’s tricky. I’ll continue to follow up and see if I can reach him directly.
April 2, 2015 at 8:22 pm #823110
clulessinwsParticipantThere is something odd about this intersection. The placement of the light for eastbound Fauntleroy and the turn only lane westbound are examples. I see people running the light more often and trying to go straight from the right turn only. Before anyone turns left on a green from Oregon, make sure no one is blowing the eastbound or westbound light. I’ve filled out enforcement requests for 10 years but have never seen SPD there. That intersection IS an accident waiting to happen.
April 18, 2015 at 1:08 am #823111
clulessinwsParticipantThis light still seems like a quick green. Only 3 cars got through at 5:45 tonight. Cars ran reds eastbound Fauntleroy both cycles it took me to turn from Oregon. Fauntleroy has more green time since OR has less and they still run red lights. There is going to be a bad accident here, I can smell it. I’ve asked SPD to enforce over the last decade, never seen them there. Has anyone else?
April 18, 2015 at 1:27 am #823112
clulessinwsParticipantI’d rmail the city or police again, fill out a form, etc but I haven’t had any luck with that so far.
April 18, 2015 at 4:00 am #823113
JTBParticipantI thought it seemed slightly longer yesterday, but to be honest I haven’t been more than three cars back on Oregon for several weeks so I haven’t had a chance to really check it out. The phone number for the guy handling the timing doesn’t even go into voicemail, but I do have his email, so I’ll querry him.
April 18, 2015 at 8:28 pm #823114
clulessinwsParticipantThanks JTB. Didn’t mean to imply you or anyone had to follow up. Just frustrated with the situation.
April 20, 2015 at 4:20 pm #823115
JTBParticipantI spoke with the guy who manages the traffic lights this morning. He said they will be resetting the lights the length of both Fauntleroy and 35 Ave SW (as far as Roxbury)as part of a project that is several months out.
He had been out to check the lights last several weeks ago and didn’t see any problem with back ups. However, he thought traffic seemed light, possibly due to spring break.
He explained the timing is set for seven seconds and if a sensors detect a vehicle toward the end of that time it adds an additional block of time. I didn’t think to ask “how much.”
The assumption for the seven seconds is two seconds for the first vehicle to see and respond to the light change then one car per second following. That should easily accommodate more than the four cars I see get into the intersection before the light turns yellow. He said he’s putting in a work order to have his crew test the sensor rather than leave it with a visual observation like he did previously.
Anyway, we know SDOT is aware of the concerns drivers in West Seattle have about that light and will continue to look into it. The tone of the fellow I spoke with was refreshingly sincere.
April 20, 2015 at 4:47 pm #823116
KBearParticipantOf course it would also help if the drivers at the head of the line would pay attention and be ready to go when the light turns green. I have seen this light turn yellow many times while the first car is still just starting to go.
April 21, 2015 at 5:12 pm #823117
clulessinwsParticipantThanks JTB and I totally agree KBear :)
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Just an observation, yesterday about 5:30 pm, traffic on Fauntleroy westbound was backed up so much so that the right lane from Oregon could not turn left on to Fauntleroy. The left lane could turn but a guy turned left from Fauntleroy to Oregon when Oregon had the green. So, only 2 cards could go. The City should prohibit left turns from Faunt to OR . But people don’t read signs. I really wish SPD could enforce intersection blocking and red light running here. I’ve asked, back when I was trying to be a part of the solution. It would be worth SPDs time.
People also will pull into Trader Joes and wait for a spot close to Faunt so no one else can pull into the lot, backing up cars on westbound Faunt. One day I saw people turning from eastbound Faunt to Trader Joes and they couldn’t proceed into the lot because of people stopped infront of them so they had westbound blocked. I think Trader Joes and inconsiderate, clueless, people are the cause of a lot of issues in WS but not much one can do about that, not enough police anyway. Wonder how far back the line on OR will go next time the bridge has an issue? Thanks for listening.
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