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Surely you have noticed the cool new blue lane lights on the 110 Freeway delineating the transition lane to the 5 North (see a video embedded below). The lighted pavement markers, or Smart-stud systems, are a way to finally stop all of those jerks from sneaking into the front of the line when we have all been waiting patiently in line for the 5 North like good citizens. Plus they make your night-time drive more psychedelic, like you are at the laserium.
According to Inside Seven, the Caltrans newsletter, the plan is to make lane 2 a lane that can be used two ways, what they call a "dynamic" lane.
As part of this system, lighted pavement markers, or Smart-stud systems, will be used to guide and enforce the use of lane Number 2 as an optional lane. The Smart-studs will be placed between lane Number 1 and lane Number 2 as delineators. During peak hours, the lighted pavement markers will be turned off, thus allowing motorists to use lane Number 2 as an optional lane for northbound SR-110 mainline or to the northbound I-5 connector.
So when the lights are off, you can either stay in the number 2 lane and continue North on the 110 or connect to the 5 North. According to Judy Gish of Caltrans in a recent phone interview, they will be extending the number 2 lane so that it goes around the curve. There will now be 2 connector lanes to the 5 North. There is enough room to add the second lane without having to widen the freeway, which would be structurally unsound. And it would suck, because that spiral cement staircase is so badass.
During all other hours, lighted pavement markers will be turned on displaying a continuous light between lane Number 1 and lane Number 2. Near the connector, the lighted pavement markers are installed so closely that, when lighted, they will mimic a solid white line...
Meaning when the lights are on, people can only use the number 2 lane to continue North on the 110; they cannot use it as a connector lane.
The article doesn't differentiate the meaning of the single row of lane lights versus the double lines. We received clarification in an interview with Senior Transportation Engineer Sheik Moinuddin of the Traffic Investigations Office. The single row of lane lights is to warn the driver that the lights are lit, and to give them time to change lanes accordingly before it is too late. The double row of lights functions as a meridian and means, "Really, Don't cross here, we mean it."
The project is still in progress. In its final phase, the number two lane will be extended around the curve with the use of painted lines. There will also be additional signage, including electric message signs, to clear up any confusion. So far there is only one visible sign, before the last tunnel, where the lines are doubled, warning you not to cross lanes when the lane lights are on.
The project is expected to be completed in December.
So anyways, I am totally enamored with these lights. Are they going to be all over Los Angeles freeways? Do they come in lots of fun mix and match colors? Can I pay to have my name spelled out in them on the 405? Let's quote the newsletter as it quotes Sheik Moinuddin.
Smart-stud is a road marker guidance system that is highly visible in any weather or roadway condition. Each Smart-stud is lit with ten or 20 high-intensity LED lights, visible from up to 500 meters away. “Smart-studs are inductively powered and therefore have no direct wire connections,” Moinuddin said. “They are cost effective to install and run, as well as highly durable even in the heaviest traffic conditions.”
Enjoy the pretty lights...
Photo and video by Elise Thompson for LAist
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that crappy transition is a candidate for "Biggest Reason I Now Ride My Bike To Work."
I usually only use this transition when entering the 110 from Hill Street. At that point, the queue is usually built up and you have to cut. I guess at peak times, you just shouldn't depend on using Hill to get to the 5.
I hate (and this is not an exaggeration) the new lights! The concept is fine -- it's just that they are way too bright. Painfully so. I suspect I'm not the safest driver on the road when I have to spend the duration fighting my eyes-slamming-shut reflex. I've heard the 80s are back in vogue -- I suppose I'll just have to channel Corey Hart and "wear my sunglasses at night".
Agreed. Too bright, and haven't had any effect on the cutters.
Who ever thought this up was smoking some serious weed. Bright lights will not stop people from using the #2 lane to bypass everyone else and then cut over into the #1 lane at the last minute. This is LA. Everyone is in a damn hurry. I make it a point to tailgate the person in front of me so that some yahoo cant cut in. I've had a few people get upset and shake their fist but when I roll down my windows and ask them if they have a problem they freeze like a deer in head lights and either speed back into the number 2 lane or check to make sure their doors are locked.
A choice between tailgating vigilante and freeway line-cutter is a choice I don't want to make, I gotta say.
This has to be the biggest over-elaboration on a simple concept I have seen in a while. Further affirmation that I should fear for LA drivers that might ever try driving anywhere else in the world.
As you pointed out, it doesn't really solve anything. It just legalizes the "being a jerk" aspect of cutting people off to transition to the 5. There would still be a bottleneck as cars merge into the transition. But now instead of just one lane, there are now two lanes that will eventually merge into one.
So they AREN'T actually adding a second transition lane to there? One of the toughest interchanges in the area is about to become a whole lot more confusing. They should just open up the second transition lane (as tight as that turn might be from lane 2) and let drivers play chicken with the concrete wall.
I recently went thru this interchange after leaving a gallery opening in Chinatown... the freeway was wide open at that time and I thought everyone was gonna run off the road... they definitely could turn down the brightness a bit. I doubt this will do much to fix that ancient interchange though.
I started writing this post to clarify things, and it has only highlighted the confusion. I am currently awaiting a return call from the head honcho at Caltrans to answer all of these questions.
I have had rear end collisions in this tunnel a few times. I am so glad I don't have to bother with those tunnels any more.
OK. I just got off of the phone with the newsletter's author and Senior Transportation Engineer Sheik Moinuddin of the Traffic Investigations Office. I have adjusted the article accordingly.
1. YES. There will be two connector roads to the 5 North (when the lights are off). The number 2 lane will not merge or force cars to cut each other off. Lane two will continue all the way to the 5.
2. They are currently evaluating the intensity of the lights to determine the appropriate brightness.
2. They are currently evaluating the intensity of the lights to determine the appropriate brightness.
Wait, what, they're adjustable?
Thank God!!! Would it be too much to hope that their intensity could change based on something like time of day (brighter when competing with sun, dimmer when it's dark out)?