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The City of Clearwater currently is
seeking a patent on a remote manual override device for traffic
signals. The device was developed by the city and lets a police
officer control an intersection remotely up to 1,000 feet away from
a police cruiser, allowing multiple signals to be controlled at
once.
The new device was created to ease traffic
congestion at the Clearwater Beach roundabout during Spring Break
2006, which was the first spring break after the new Memorial
Causeway Bridge opened. Prior to the bridge opening, Police
Lieutenant Wayne Andrews and Traffic Operations Manager Paul
Bertels were discussing how the bridge would impact spring break
traffic and how the roundabout functions during heavy traffic. They
realized they needed something that could control intersections
remotely, instead of from a street corner using the current
signaling cord.
If signals could be controlled remotely,
then the city could cut down manpower and control the intersection
from a police cruiser instead of by three officers at one
intersection during heavy traffic times. Lt. Andrews thought that
if a device like this were available, it might reduce his
traffic-signaling manpower needs by 66 percent. To residents, this
means a smoother flow of traffic and less money spent on
manpower.
The Traffic Operations division began
production in the signal shop. The unit was designed and developed
by the city’s Traffic Operations division, and it was tested
at the roundabout metering signal.
Since then, the city has installed units
at the Chestnut and Ft. Harrison Avenue intersection and Chestnut
and Oak Avenue. Additional units are planned for other signals on
the beach and in key downtown locations.
Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels
said, “We are always trying to find ways to make traffic
easier on our residents and visitors. In this case, we identified a
problem and found a solution that works for everyone.”
For more information, call
727-562-4794.
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