Assigned to Sean and Gerry.

PW Admin Gail assigned this issue to PW Transportation V

V, this intersection is working per specs per our signal techs. Please confirm and let the public know. Is Caltrans involved. Sincerely, Gail Carlson, Public Works

Oh, it is working, but just now efficiently. As I said, the pedestrian countdown signal goes 24/7, even when nobody is there to walk across the street. When you guys first fixed the lights, they were GREAT, in that there were/are sensors in the road to detect traffic coming towards the light, and the signal would change, if there was no cross-traffic. Now, no matter what time of day or if there is cross traffic or not, the signals stay where they are unless a car approaches on Santa Clara. Then, and only then, the pedestrian countdown begins, and you have to wait. Then, just when you think the light is changing, the pedestrian cross signal come on for about 5 seconds before your own light turns green. This is very annoying, especially since we already had to wait for no reason for the cross-traffic pedestrian signal to countdown. This is not very efficient at all, and definitely not the way it should be. I think someone checked it who just didn't want to simply change it back to the way it was when you first fixed it.

This issue was recategorized from Traffic Signals to Traffic Calming.

I really appreciate anything you can do about this. I have seen cars just make right turn on red, and then u-turns, which are illegal there, but do it anyway, in order to just get through the LONG wait because of pedestrian countdowns, for no reason. Thanks!

completed

WHAT??? It has NOT been completed! In fact, nothing has been done at all about this! Things are the same as when I first reported this! The pedestrian signals are constantly on, 24/7 even when there are no pedestrians around. They are on WAY too long too. I have said it before and I will say it again. The MODEL of how signals should operate, is the signal at the intersection of Santa Clara Avenue and Grand St. Now THAT signal is PERFECT! Please go back to whoever said they had "fixed" this, and tell them they either are lying or fixed it and it immediately broke again. Thanks!

Thank for your comments. Our Signal Maintenance will check the signal for any malfunction and review Santa Clara/Grand per your request.

See above.

I don't know what "acknowledged" means, in this context, but I hope it means that you acknowledge that there IS a problem. I noticed and confirmed this morning, that when approaching Webster on Santa clara from the north side going south, when one gets to the light, the pedestrian signal starts. In fact, it seems to start when approaching the intersection, meaning there is a sensor somewhere in the block before you get there, which is great. But I noticed that the pedestrian signal on the north side, starts with 20 seconds and counts down, whereas on the pedestrian signals on the south side of webster street at the intersection of santa clara, the pedestrian signal starts its countdown at 25 seconds! Neither countdown is needed when there aren't any pedestrians around, which is usually the case in the overnight hours, and if a pedestrain approaches, they can easily then push the "walk" button and get a pedestrian walk signal then. This is how it is SUPPOSED to be, NOT a constant pedestrian walk signal, whether or not a pedestrian is ever there. This is not efficient for saving gas when people are idling in their cars needlessly, nor is it an efficient way to manage traffic. When you guys first "fixed" this, it was actually really great for about a week, in that the signals would change as a vehicle approached, unless there was cross traffic, or if a pedestrian actually had hit the "walk request" button. This was how it is supposed to work, not as it is now, with a constant pedestrian countdown going on 24/7. Thanks for acknowledging this, and I hope it gets fixed now!

Thank you for your request to improve the safety and efficiency of Alameda’s transportation system. It has been received as #16-10-0400. Requests for many transportation issues, including stop signs, curb painting, and traffic calming measures, typically require 8-12 weeks to complete before staff can develop a recommendation. These requests involve review of current plans and policies, compilation of accident and/or other history, coordinating with Alameda Police and other stakeholders, outreach to residents or others who may be affected by the proposed change, on-site data collection and analysis, and sometimes consultation with outside experts. We will follow up with you about your request when your request is at the top of the queue. Unfortunately, due to limited funding, there is a backlog of these requests and they are being handled in the order of receipt. Due to that backlog, some requests may take six months to a year to complete the analysis and recommendation. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

From SCF: WHAT??? It has NOT been completed! In fact, nothing has been done at all about this! Things are the same as when I first reported this! The pedestrian signals are constantly on, 24/7 even when there are no pedestrians around. They are on WAY too long too. I have said it before and I will say it again. The MODEL of how signals should operate, is the signal at the intersection of Santa Clara Avenue and Grand St. Now THAT signal is PERFECT! Please go back to whoever said they had "fixed" this, and tell them they either are lying or fixed it and it immediately broke again. Thanks!

Oh man, this is so typical of big government. Now it is supposed to take 8-12 weeks, or when it comes to the top of the pile! The thing is, it wasn't fixed right to begin with! So shouldn't THAT be the issue here? That alone, should make this go back to the top of the list, especially on top of the person's list who was responsible for this in the first place!

I will repeat the original complaint though; the pedestrian signals at the intersection of Santa Clara Avenue and Webster Street, are constantly on 24/7. There are clearly pedestrian walk "request" buttons on poles, for people to press when they want to request a "walk" signal, but they are of no use since someone set the pedestrian walk signals to just always be on, no matter if anyone is there to request a walk or not. THAT is the problem, and is easily remedied. This is a no-brainer, as it is simply a matter of someone correctly setting the switch in the signal box that controls the intersection. I do thank you for at least acknowledging it, but it is really annoying to go through that intersection in the early morning hours, when I usually go through there, and have to sit and wait for a pedestrian signal to do its "countdown" to zero, when there are no people at all out on the streets. Thanks.

Your request (#16-10-0400) is now a work order, assigned to staff. Thank you for helping to keep Alameda a great City. This is an automated response. If your request is an emergency, please call 911.

Thank you for submitting this request (#16-10-0400). It has been addressed and is now closed.