While we're on the subject of bringing attention to our Township traffic lights, I'd like to point out that there are several others that deserve our consideration. I'm not calling for their outright deactivation; however, I am suggesting that their traffic patterns be adjusted.
Several lights throughout the town operate on the same timer 24/7. And while it may be necessary for consistency and guaranteed light changes during rush-hours, such is not the case at 2am (or similar off-hours). For instance, the lights located at Malapardis and Ridgedale, Frederick and Ridgedale, and South Jefferson and Cedar Knolls all turn red at the most inconvenient and certainly unnecessary times. When there aren't any cars around at all during the middle of the night, there is no reason to be stuck at a red light. A flashing light would suffice just fine! I have spoken with fellow residents who share my beliefs, and we feel that there are several justifiable reasons why the light patterns should be adjusted...without jeopardizing anyone's safety!
In short, sitting at an unnecessary red light is a waste of time and fuel, and adds undo harm to the environment. These are some of the same reasons why there is a push to deactivate the Lucent light. I’m not asking to deactivate any lights; only adjust their timing to reflect the traffic flow. Thank you.
I'd like to add that better signage could be put up at the Rt 10 & Whippany Road jughandle. There are ALWAYS people making the illegal left hand turn onto Rt 10 West and not going through the jughandle. It is so bad I pretty much anticipate it when I am at that intersection.
Thank you for your post. I, (and many others) am frustrated with the timing cycles of the traffic signals.
I want to provide you with a quick response although it will not be complete.
It is my understanding that placing traffic signals on flash other than due to power failures, exposes the township to serious liability in the event of an accident. There is a continuing case out of Union County where this in fact occurred as a result of a broadside accident while the light was on flash after what was thought to be lighter tradfic hours. A big thank you to our trial lawyers and courts.
As to the timing cycles, not all of the signals have the upgrades electrically to handle the time cycle variations. I hope this helps in understand the "why's"
Thanks for your response. In this day-and-age, I guess it should come as no surprise to me that a flash-pattern system could result in a lawsuit for the Township. Somehow it could be the Township’s fault that people can’t successfully maneuver the simplicity of a flashing traffic light. In essence, a flashing red light is a “stop” sign, and the yellow indicates “yield”. If that’s too confusing for people today, then we’ve really regressed. And if the Township is somehow liable for an accident, then people are really exemplifying what it means to find a scapegoat. There’s always an excuse, and it’s always because of someone or something else.
But I digress. I know you mentioned that not all traffic lights can handle the time variations. But for those that can, perhaps they can be studied for timing modifications during the overnight hours. Not for flash-patterns, but for quicker changes. That way, if we do get stuck at a red at 4am, at least it’s not for the same allotted wait as designated for rush-hours.
While we're on the subject of bringing attention to our Township traffic lights, I'd like to point out that there are several others that deserve our consideration. I'm not calling for their outright deactivation; however, I am suggesting that their traffic patterns be adjusted. 