Browsing Archive: June, 2009

Driving in a Bike Lane

Posted by Steve Fitzsimons on Sunday, June 28, 2009, In : For the General Public 

Question:   When can I drive in a bicycle lane?

 

Answer:  A bicycle lane has a 6-inch wide white line on the left side, and often has pavement markings with the work BIKE or BIKE LANE and a arrow showing the proper direction of travel (see photo).  It may also have Bike Lane signage, a white sign with black text. 

 

According to California Vehicle Code 21209, it is never legal to drive in a bicycle lane except:

 

(1) To park where parking is permitted.

(...


Continue reading ...
 

What is a PE?

Posted by Steve Fitzsimons on Thursday, June 25, 2009, In : For the General Public 
Question:  I see PE following your name or other names.  What is a PE?

 Answer:  PE = Professional Engineer

http://www.pels.ca.gov/about_us/mission_vision.shtml  has a sort of overview of what we're all about.  Basically, people who are in professions where mistakes can cause serious problems or injuries get licensed.  

Civil Engineers are by far the most common type of PE.  Electrical engineers (dot commers are an exception that do not need licenses) and Mechanical Engineers are the next la...

Continue reading ...
 

Controller Extensions

Posted by Steve Fitzsimons on Thursday, June 25, 2009, In : For Traffic Signal Designers 

Question:  When gap extension is programmed, do cities generally use the detectors to have this signal timing setting, or do cities program the controllers to have this setting?

Answer:  I’m used to thinking in terms of Gap Reduction.  Gap Reduction is done entirely in the controller unit inputs.

Extension is a term that is usually applied to a detector input.  Extension can be done either in the Detector Sensor (the part that sits in the rack/shelf in the controller cabinet), if it is the ...


Continue reading ...
 

Small Fiber Optic Splice Closure

Posted by Steve Fitzsimons on Thursday, June 25, 2009, In : For ITS Designers 

Question:  We have a project where some existing pull boxes and conduit are set in structural concrete and are not easy to relocate or deepen or change.

The pull boxes have a solid concrete bottom as well as walls.  They are No. 6 in plan dimension (18x30 lid) but their depth varies from only 5 to about 12 inches (different boxes are different depths).  Three conduits enter each box in the bottom (not through sides).  We need to run a 24 strand trunk loose tube single mode fiber cable through...


Continue reading ...
 

Welcome to TrafficAnswers.org

Posted by Steve Fitzsimons on Tuesday, June 16, 2009,
trafficanswers.org was launched in June 2009 to provide two functions:

1. to serve as a resource to professional traffic designers in California
2. to direct average California drivers to the answers to life's driving questions

It is the brainchild of Steve Fitzsimons, PE, TE, a professional transportation engineer with nearly 30 years experience as a California Traffic Engineer.  Major support is provided by his coworkers at Republic ITS and W-Trans.  

Send your questions to Steve at SFitzsimons...
Continue reading ...
 
« Back to posts
 
blog comments powered by Disqus
 

About Us


Steve Fitzsimons If you would like to ask a question about driving rules, traffic signals or street lights, send your questions to: SFitzsimons@W-Trans.com or call 650-314-8313. Steve Fitzsimons is a professional Civil Engineer and Traffic Engineer in California. He is a principal at W-Trans. Find out more about W-Trans at www.w-trans.com **** If you need a traffic signal design or review, W-Trans is available for hire. If you are an electrical contractor, W-Trans is available for hire to prepare timing plans or traffic control plans.

Make a free website with Yola