Resuming Pre-Pandemic Traffic Signal Patterns

LADOT returned traffic signals within the City of Los Angeles to pre-pandemic timing patterns in accordance with the lifting of local and state restrictions on June 15. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Los Angeles underwent a sudden decrease in traffic along with an immense increase in dangerous driving behavior, such as speeding, that put neighborhoods at risk.

In April of 2020, LADOT modified traffic signal patterns to “Night Mode” which helps reduce speeding by eliminating successive green lights along major streets. Recently, traffic volumes have returned to approximately 90-95% of pre-pandemic levels. The new LADOT strategy to resume pre-pandemic traffic signal patterns supports reducing traffic congestion as well as supporting safe driving behaviors.

The pre-pandemic signal patterns will take effect during daylight hours and will switch to “Night Mode” between the hours of 7 pm and 6 am the following morning. Prior to the pandemic traffic signals would switch to “Night Mode” at 9 pm.

In efforts to support additional safety measures, the automatic pedestrian recall will be kept in effect at crosswalks that experience high pedestrian activity. This automatic pedestrian recall was first initiated during the pandemic when LADOT converted nearly 900 street intersections into automatic pedestrian recall, eliminating the need for people walking to press a high contact surface to cross the street.

LADOT also continues to prioritize safety on our streets through transformative street projects completed last year on Avalon Blvd and those currently under construction on Reseda Blvd. in the San Fernando Valley, Broadway in South LA, and other parts of the city. A full list of safety projects can be found on ladotlivablestreets.org.

Rainbow Halo in Memory of Monique Muñoz

LADOT joined in mourning with the family of Monique Muñoz and friends for an angel we will never forget, senselessly taken from us too soon by a dangerous act of speeding on our streets. LADOT has installed a Rainbow Halo in Monique’s memory at the corner of Olympic & Overland. The Rainbow Halos are permanent fixtures that serve as reminders that traffic deaths are preventable, especially within our power to slow down and save a life. We thank Councilmember Paul Koretz, Los Angeles Walks, and the Conor Lynch Foundation for their support in this event. We also thank the family, friends, and community members who continue to rally for justice and safety on our streets in response to this horrible tragedy. Their courage, commitment, and strength serve as an inspiration to all of us.

ASCE MLAB Awarded LADOT for Outstanding Projects

LADOT was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch (ASCE MLAB) with four Outstanding Project Awards for their 2021 awards cycle. Two of our LADOT fellow staff members were also awarded Outstanding Civil Engineer awards. All six of the awardees will be moving forward onto the next round of the awards process which includes projects and individuals across the entire State of California. Many of these awards recognized the efforts of LADOT and its role within the City of Los Angeles in the COVID-19 pandemic relief effort.

LADOT has a variety of Covid Relief programs that include LA Al Fresco, Food/Retail Pick Up Zones, COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Site Support, Slow Streets Program, LAUSD Grab n Go support, LA County Food Drive support, and redesigned Signal Timing to help the most vulnerable residents and hardest hit businesses across the city. Our Pandemic Travel Behavior Study supported in identifying the most vulnerable communities within the City of Los Angeles and our economic development and community support programs prioritized support for these BIPOC businesses and neighborhoods. LADOT’s GIS Strategic Plan made the Pandemic Travel Behavior Study possible, this strategic plan leverages all available Department and city data to create a network to identify priority projects. This study helped prioritize LADOT's pandemic response programs to distribute resources in areas of most need.

This recognition would not be possible without the hard work of hundreds of LADOT employees who continued to deliver excellent projects despite the difficulties introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. LADOT is honored to receive these awards and extends gratitude to our amazing staff and community members for making this possible.

The free virtual awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 17th at 5:30PM. To attend, please register here: https://www.ascemlab.org/event-details/mlab-awards-night-banquet

This Week in Photos:

Monique Muñoz was an angel within our City of Angels that we will never forget. She was senselessly taken from us too soon by a dangerous act of speeding on our streets. LADOT installed a Rainbow Halo in Monique’s memory at the corner of Olympic & Overland. The Rainbow Halos are permanent fixtures that serve as reminders that traffic deaths are preventable, especially within our power to slow down and save a life.

 

 

LADOT by the Numbers:

LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds discusses the new electric DASH buses with Channel 35's LA This Week, including the new benefits related to LADOT Transit now utilizing electric buses on its bus routes.

The LADOT Weekly Brief Newsletter

Want to learn more about LADOT's ongoing work in the City of Los Angeles? Sign up for our weekly newsletter by filling out the form below.