Sedona AZ (August 22, 2012) – It’s back to the red, yellow and green for the Sedona traffic controllers. In December of 2008, the City of Sedona changed the operation of a AZ State Route 89A traffic signal, uptown mid-block location for pedestrian crossovers, from a green-yellow-red traffic signal to a flashing yellow signal. This was an attempt to determine if a flashing yellow caution traffic signal would improve the flow of traffic through uptown State Route 89A, allowing pedestrians to crossover and cars to halt accordingly.
Results have been mixed with drivers not understanding what to do at a flashing caution light and stopping even though no pedestrians are in the crosswalk, and confusion among pedestrians how to cross at an intersection controlled by a flashing yellow light.
The City of Sedona will discontinue the flashing operation of the yellow light and revert back to a standard red-yellow-green traffic light signal on August 30, 2012.
Pedestrians will traverse the roadway after pushing an activation button and waiting for the walk signal to indicate permission to enter the crosswalk. The City will continue to monitor the area to see if this change has a beneficial or adverse effect on traffic flow.
If you have further questions or comments, contact Dan Neimy, City Maintenance Superintendent at 928-204-7104.
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Let me get this straight. City tax money paid for light. City tax money paid for new light. City says change necessary because 1) drivers don’t know the U.S. rules for driving and 2) pedestrians don’t know the AZ rules for crossing roads.
City passes the cost for 1) uneducated drivers and 2) uneducated pedestrians on to taxpayers. No problem resolved. Just a return to the original problem that brought about the change in 2008.
Results? City causes thousands of now and in future highway travel time to be lost by worthwhile 1) drivers who ARE educated and 2) pedestrians who ARE knowledgeable AND raises the pollution in Uptown by cars standing and idling in the canyon.
City, here’s an idea: Sensors.
OR
Signs either painted on road or posted next to road that say “Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalks” and remove the light all together.
Every other city that I know does that and no light is necessary even in the busiest of intersections.
Best case scenario – build a pedestrian walkway OVER the road for uptown that would also serve as a scenic view – or make it a simple walkover like the one on I-17 that crosses six lanes just south of Anthem – hear this City – it crosses six lanes of I-17! Take a drive. See what the professionals do. AND make sure that Uptown businesses pay a special district tax to raise the funds and that the rest of City taxpayers share the expense. It’s worth it.
Hear, Hear, City Council. NOW do you understand why 70% of the voting population did NOT want for the ciy to own the entire State Route? The city and uptown businesses are NOT competent road designers and/or engineers!
On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, the City of Sedona will be restriping SR 89A near the Forest Road and Apple Road intersections.
The changes involve converting the center left-turn lane on SR 89A at Forest Road into an additional southbound through lane.
This change will allow for additional capacity for southbound through traffic at the Forest Road intersection leading to a reduction in traffic backups.
Striping for a left-turn lane at Apple Avenue for northbound traffic will also be added.
As part of these changes, the northbound SR 89A left-turn movement onto Forest Road will become “Left on Green Arrow Only.” This will be accomplished by changing the sign on the signal mast arm that is near the signal head.
If you have further questions about this change, contact Dan Neimy, City Maintenance Superintendent, at (928) 204-7109.