San Francisco Bay Area ITE Scribe Report

November 2004 Meeting - ITS: Technology in Action

The November meeting was held in downtown San Francisco at LJ’s Martini Lounge, with the topic of “ITS: Technology in Action.” Frank Markowitz of the City and County of San Francisco gave an informative presentation of pedestrian countdown timers and the City of San Francisco’s pilot program of installment. According to Mr. Markowitz, the installation of pedestrian countdown timers at the pilot intersection locations resulted in a reduction in pedestrian crossings on red (from 14% to 9%), a reduction of over 50% in pedestrian injuries, and a reduction in pedestrians running or aborting crossings (from 13% to 8%). Based on the City of San Francisco’s experience, it appears that pedestrians “feel it is helpful” to have countdown timers and that pedestrians learn how much time they require to cross an intersection. Currently, countdown timers are installed at approximately 650 locations throughout the City, with plans to install approximately 200 more within the next two years. Mr. Markowitz noted that the countdown timers are approved in the 2002 MUTCD.

The second presenter was Charles Price of Caltrans, who presented information on the FasTrak program. FasTrak is Caltrans electronic tolling system, with approximately 1.25 Million users statewide. In the Bay Area, nearly 500,000 commuters use FasTrak, with approximately 30% to 50% of peak hour commuters using FasTrak on state-owned toll bridges. Mr. Price also discussed other applications for the FasTrak transponders, such as travel time analysis, HOT lane use (already in use in southern California), and parking payment.

The presentation concluded with a discussion of Naztec traffic signal controllers and programs by Russ Theilin of Western Pacific Signal. Mr. Theilin presented the latest version of the Naztec controllers, highlighting their ability to provide transit-priority without the loss of signal coordination for local street traffic. This was especially pertinent to the Bay Area members who are used to sharing the road with light-rail vehicles.

This was the last meeting of 2004, the SF Bay Area section is looking forward to an exciting luncheon schedule for 2005.