Dale Mabry and Lambright Street, immediately north of Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, are consistently congested in the afternoon, frustrating drivers looking to get home from work.
Drivers who frequent the area say it can take 3-4 traffic lights to get through, which leads to more backed up traffic.
Population growth in the area has led to traffic backups starting before 4 p.m. and continuing past 6 p.m.
A traffic light adjustment could be the answer to the problem at hand.
Although the lights at that intersection are timed with other signals on Dale Mabry, authorities from the Florida Department of Transportation have discovered that traffic starts to back up earlier on Dale Mabry than it does on Lambright.
According to reports, FDOT agreed to check the lights and see if the timing can be adjusted, especially in the afternoons from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
Traffic congestion is a common problem in cities around the world. Drivers who are stuck in never-ending lines frequently become irritated, anxious, and late. Although there is not a foolproof way to completely remove traffic jams, there is a practical way to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow: by strategically timing traffic lights.
Traffic is a complicated system influenced by a variety of factors, including vehicle volume, route capacity, and traffic signal timing. When these components are out of out of balance, traffic jams develop, which cause delays, pollution, and heightened commuter aggravation.
Why Would the Timing of Traffic Lights Need to Be Adjusted?
Traffic lights serve as the orchestrators of traffic flow, dictating when vehicles stop and go at intersections. However, outdated or poorly optimized signal timings can increase congestion rather than keep traffic flowing. Long wait times at red lights, coupled with insufficient green phases, can create bottlenecks and gridlock, especially during rush hour times.
Traffic patterns can alter over time due to the dynamic character of metropolitan areas. Timely reviews of traffic light timings are necessary due to various factors, including changes in commute behavior, urban expansion, and population growth. What was efficient a few years ago may not be ideal today. Therefore, it is essential to regularly evaluate and modify traffic to maintain smooth flow.
Every little improvement counts in the fight against traffic congestion. The hopes are that FDOT can help Tampa Bay commuters reduce their time stuck in traffic and make it more enjoyable to get to and from destinations by improving traffic light timings.
If you have been involved in a traffic accident in Tampa, our Tampa Bay Car Accident Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help. Call us at 813-221-3200 for a FREE consultation. You can contact us online 24/7 to request a meeting with us.