Tricks to Hit Green Lights on Alicia Parkway

Ever feel like you get stopped by every red light on Alicia Parkway?

You might be, but it has more to do with your driving speed, traffic flow and pedestrian crossings than the synchronization of the lights.

John Whitman, Aliso Viejo’s city engineer said, the synchronization of traffic signal lights in Aliso Viejo is programmed for two to three minutes under the speed limit. So on Alicia Parkway where the speed is 50 mph, if you drive about 48 mph you have a better chance of hitting every green light.

But how many times have you actually driven the speed limit?

Alicia Parkway is one of Aliso Viejo’s main roads to the rest of civilization. It brings residents either to the 5 Freeway or closer to the beach. As traffic slows down your speed, more red lights will slow down your trip.

There are many other factors that will increase your chances of getting stopped on Alicia Parkway, according to Kenneth Rosenfield, director of public services for the city of Laguna Hills. Traffic signals on Alicia are only on the synchronized timer during hours with the heaviest traffic (6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.). If you are driving outside of these times, the signals will change based on traffic demand in a given direction.

Pedestrians, freeway on- and off-ramps and school zones can also alter the green light flow and interrupt the synchronization.

A traffic light synchronization project was completed for the 11-mile stretch of Alicia Parkway in Aug. 2010, according to Laura Scheper, media relations for the Orange County Transportation Authority.

"Alicia was initially chosen as part of the first group of synchronized signals due to the regional significance of the corridor and the local support of the project. The project synchronized 41 signals along 11-miles," Scheper said.

A similar project was approved for Crown Valley Parkway in June 2011. Work is expected to begin for this project in the next couple months.

OCTA has invested nearly $18 million in both state and Measure M (M2), a Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (RTSSP), funds to improve county streets, according to Scheper.

"Orange County cities received $8 million to synchronize 17 additional major streets last year," she said.

Rosenfield said when the signals are undergoing a synchronization evaluation, traffic engineers drive back and forth on the streets timing between the signals. Timing varies from trip to trip based on the grouping or queuing of cars.

While Alicia Parkway actively serves Aliso Viejo residents, only two traffic signals on the street belong to the city, Whitman said. The cities of Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel cover the rest.

OCTA Signal Synchronization Facts

• Nearly 750 intersections throughout the county have been synchronized
• Nearly 200 miles have been synchronized to date
• Additional 800 miles and 2,000 signals will be synchronized as part of M2
• To date, streets that have been synchronized include:
  Alicia Parkway
  Beach Boulevard
  Bristol Street/State College Boulevard
  Chapman Avenue
  Edinger Avenue
  Euclid Street
  Harbor Boulevard
  17th Street/Westminster Avenue
  Orangethorpe Avenue
  Oso Parkway
  Brookhurst Street
  El Toro Road

What traffic signals put a damper on your daily commute? and tell us in the comments below.