If things don't change, I will have to join NASCAR

If things don’t change, I will have to join NASCAR

How often have you visited a new development and been told all the wonderful things that are going to be constructed during the build out of the community.  Parks, pools, clubhouses, new schools and all the other fabulous things that make a community uber-attractive.  Now, let me ask you a question?  How often have you paid attention when the conversation turns to the off-site road infrastructure that will be built over the years.  Specifically, how often have you paid attention to any discussion that may have occurred regarding the installation of traffic lights.

While traffic signalization is something that is often overlooked when making a purchase decision, it is amazing how noticeable it becomes after you move into your house.  It is also not just the signalization at the direct entrance to your community.  It may be the missing traffic lights on ancillary streets that you drive on to reach your community. 

It is also something that sneaks up over time.  Early on in a community’s development, traffic patterns may be light and it may not be much of an issue to just look both ways before gunning it to make that left hand turn out of your community.  Then, you wake up one day to find that the once quiet main street is now full of morning commuters and that you are facing an incredible amount of stress crossing what was once an easy intersection.

The answer to this problem seems to be staring you in the face like a red, burning bright light (Yes, the symbolism is intentional).  Install a traffic signal!  It seems like the easiest thing in the world to do.  Obviously the developer will install it when the community feels it is necessary.  They want to sell homes and they want the community to support their efforts.  So, why hasn’t it been installed?

Here is the rub.  Regardless of whether or not the developer is obligated to install a traffic signal and whether or not the homeowners want one, the Department of Transportation needs to sign off on a demonstration of need to have one installed.  The nice thing is that usually the needs of the community and the needs of the DOT are typically aligned and that needed stop light is usually installed in an appropriate timeframe.  However, it sometimes does not happen as expeditiously as some would like. 

So, understand that traffic studies and demonstration of need is what determines the installation of a traffic light.  If you feel one should be installed at a local intersection that does not yet have one, you may still want to call your developer.  However, you may want your first call to be made to the Department of Transportation.

Until next time…

Keep kicking the dirt!