Traffic signal actuation for bicyclists (California AB 1581)

From: California Association of Bicycling Organizations "CABO"

The Calif State Legislature passed and the Governor signed AB 1581, effective January 2008, to direct that traffic-actuated signals should work for bicyclists and motorcyclists. That was good news! But, it's almost a year and a half later. Why aren't the signals working for us? It seems that we are facing additional delays from those in opposition to implementing the requirement!

The 2008 law, CVC 21450.5 states,"(b) Upon the first placement of a traffic-actuated signal or replacement of the loop detector of a traffic-actuated signal, the traffic-actuated signal shall, to the extent feasible and in conformance with professional traffic engineering practice, be installed and maintained so as to detect lawful bicycle or motorcycle traffic on the roadway."

But the law also states, "(c) Cities, counties, and cities and counties shall not be required to comply with the provisions contained in subdivision (b) until the Department of Transportation, in consultation with these entities, has established uniform standards, specifications, and guidelines for the detection of bicycles and motorcycles by traffic-actuated signals and related signal timing." (You can find the full text at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21450_5.htm.)

The delay in implementation has been I believe inappropriate but may continue because of some opposition. Some reasons we have heard include:

1. Cities and counties don't want the cost. It's an "unfunded mandate" they whine; but a city will only have to use technology that works when installing new or replacing old sensors. Estimated additional cost = $25 per traffic lane. Shouldn't every legal road user be detected at traffic lights?

2. Some say the technology is unproven, but many current installations ARE proven to NOT WORK for bicycles and motorcycles. The proposed standard for detection is technology neutral; based on performance. Performance that has been tested and does work.

3. Then there are those who dislike the placement of bicycle detection zones in normal traffic lanes saying that bicyclists should ride next to the curb and use a push button to trigger a traffic signal -- for our safety. We recommend these folks read the full text of CVC 21202 including the exceptions for "... as close as practicable to the right-hand curb..." http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21202.htm

4. There may also be a hidden source of opposition since some detection devices (magnetometers), actively being sold right now, apparently do not detect bicycles -- detection of bicycles in normal traffic situations is apparently beyond the capability of these products. The financial interests of vendors of these products are being served by delay since they can continue, as they are, to sell their (defective from a bicyclists point of view) product.

The California Traffic Control Devices Committee (CTCDC) at their May 14th meeting will review and, hopefully, approve the CTCDC AB 1581 subcommittee recommendation for bicycle and motorcycle detection. The CTCDC is a powerful advisory body to Caltrans, "...by which the Department fulfills its obligation to consult with local agencies and the public, before adopting rules and regulations prescribing uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices used in California."

I ask that you contact your city, county, Metro. Planning Organization, etc. to endorse the CTCDC AB 1581 Subcommittee's recommendations and communicate that support to the CTCDC members. Communication may be submitted through CTCDC Executive Secretary, Devinder Singh at Devinder.Singh@dot.ca.gov. Members of the CTCDC represent the following interests (note that no pedestrian or bicyclist organizations are directly represented):

CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (one vote) DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL (one vote) CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES (two votes) LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES (two votes) AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (one vote) CALIFORNIA STATE AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (one vote)

We need at least six of the eight available votes.

The CTCDC meeting agenda, including the detail on item 08-8 Bicycle and Motorcycle Detection at New or Upgraded Signalized Intersections (Formerly known as “Traffic Actuated Signals for Bicycles and Motorcyclists”) can be found at - http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/newtech/agenda/Agenda051409.pdf . The next CTCDC meeting is May 14 at 9:00 A.M. in the Los Angeles, Caltrans District 7 Office (100 S. Main St. (Caltrans D7), Los Angeles, CA 90012).

We have thanked Assemblymember Jean Fuller and ABATE for initiating AB 1581. We want to now also acknowledge the work that Bob Shanteau, Transportation Engineering Liaison for the California Association of Bicycling Organizations, has done while serving for all of us on the CTCDC AB 1581 Subcommittee.

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