11 replies to this topic

[headshrink]

General observation and question:
Nine to twelve months ago I noticed a change to the traffic signal patterns on Oak Ave Pkwy where it crosses East Bidwell St. Before the change was made it was programed like most major traffic signals, where the left turn lane (if triggered) will cycle through green BEFORE the through/straight light cycles green. For some reason it was changed so that the left turn sometimes cycles AFTER the through/straight signal. However, I also noticed it isn't always this way. I have been trying to figure out if it switches sequences between a rush hour program and regular program, because sometime it does sequence the "traditional" pattern. I can't nail down a predictable pattern.

Can anyone shed some light into the reasoning for the change in sequence?



Why it's of interest to me:
I ride a motorcycle and like to be in gear when the light changes, and although this is only a very minor annoyance, I frequently find myself caught off guard at this intersection, stuck in Neutral. Motorcycle transmissions are operationally different from a cars too, which actually can make a difference here. Some may remember how manual cars wouldn't [easily] shift into 1st gear unless stopped. It's actually the opposite on a motorcycle, which I think has to do with the gear synchronizers, and aligning the gears properly for a change. The mechanics beyond that are a little over my head. So functionally speaking, once a motorcycle is put in neutral at a complete stop, if it rolls even a tiniest bit, the gears MAY move out of alignment, making it difficult to get into first gear in a timely manner. I remember this occasionally would happen in cars too, although it's much more frequent for motorcycle transmissions to get stuck in neutral. Sorry if the transmission lesson bored some readers, but the relevance here is that sometimes the delay in shifting to 1st gear is much more than an insignificant second. It can occasionally be like waiting for that new driver who stalled out on 'go.'

I find Folsom drivers generally are courteous enough not to honk if you take an extra second, but out of politeness I prefer not to cause a chain reaction of delays on green, which MAY mean a couple cars may not make it through at the end of the cycle. This is particularly true on the occasion I split down the center to wait at the front. Many Folsom drivers are also kind enough to even make extra room, as if to give an invitation, and I hate to step in front of them and then make them wait. Although it's completely legal in CA for motorcycles to filter to the front of the line, I think it's only polite to then quickly move out of the way of the car you jumped in front of when the light turns green. Obviously being caught in neutral is no longer a problem for a vast majority of cars, but for motorcycles it still can be (your experience may vary).

[The Average Joe]

Zach at the city of Folsom traffic ops has always been helpful. Try asking there.

[supermom]

huh---

Headshrink motorcycle lanesplitting neutral folsom street cars.


-----

lol, speed reading sometimes gives a headache

[chris v]

I would say that something isn't quite right with your bike if you're having problems putting it in gear. Neutral is neutral. Things should not be moving around internally. Also when at a light you're supposed to be in gear already in case you need to make a quick escape (something I'm guilty of not doing).

[headshrink]

I would say that something isn't quite right with your bike if you're having problems putting it in gear. Neutral is neutral. Things should not be moving around internally. Also when at a light you're supposed to be in gear already in case you need to make a quick escape (something I'm guilty of not doing).

It isn't every time, but often enough to mention, and common for my particular model. Oil changes make it buttery-smooth for a couple hundred miles, but doesn't last past that. There are a couple tricks to it, but every once in awhile it gives you more trouble.

If it's going to be a quick stop I usually do keep it in gear, but when I'm sitting at a light with a stationary car behind me I'll put it in neutral.

But I was really wondering about the light.

Zach at the city of Folsom traffic ops has always been helpful. Try asking there.

Is he on here, or are you talking about emailing his office (which I'm guessing is on the webpage)?

[The Average Joe]

Call the city offices during normal business hours. They can direct you. I have done so 3 times over the last couple of years regarding the traffic light timing around Folsom High during drop off/pick up times (you're welcome). Traffic went from intolerable (3 cycles of every light on Prairie City) to a pretty smooth flow. One time something was wired incorrectly, and the other two I assume they just adjusted the timing on the left turn into the football parking lot. Either way, the response was fast and the situation was remedied.

[supermom]

You wouldn't happen to have one of these, would you?

[headshrink]

You wouldn't happen to have one of these, would you?

I wish!

[old soldier]

this here change shows some prety good perception. Old soldier just stops on red, goes on green and makes turns when he sees the arrow.

[Redone]

Are you still holding the clutch in while in neutral ?

I would think if the clutch was "out" then it would be spinning main shaft

[headshrink]

Are you still holding the clutch in while in neutral ?

I would think if the clutch was "out" then it would be spinning main shaft

I'm not. I can see why you'd say that, but holding the brake so it doesn't roll even 1mm does make a significant difference when shifting back into 1st.

I should make a separate thread on the motorcycle, LOL.

[tony]

General observation and question:
Nine to twelve months ago I noticed a change to the traffic signal patterns on Oak Ave Pkwy where it crosses East Bidwell St. Before the change was made it was programed like most major traffic signals, where the left turn lane (if triggered) will cycle through green BEFORE the through/straight light cycles green. For some reason it was changed so that the left turn sometimes cycles AFTER the through/straight signal. However, I also noticed it isn't always this way. I have been trying to figure out if it switches sequences between a rush hour program and regular program, because sometime it does sequence the "traditional" pattern. I can't nail down a predictable pattern.

Can anyone shed some light into the reasoning for the change in sequence?



Why it's of interest to me:
I ride a motorcycle and like to be in gear when the light changes, and although this is only a very minor annoyance, I frequently find myself caught off guard at this intersection, stuck in Neutral. Motorcycle transmissions are operationally different from a cars too, which actually can make a difference here. Some may remember how manual cars wouldn't [easily] shift into 1st gear unless stopped. It's actually the opposite on a motorcycle, which I think has to do with the gear synchronizers, and aligning the gears properly for a change. The mechanics beyond that are a little over my head. So functionally speaking, once a motorcycle is put in neutral at a complete stop, if it rolls even a tiniest bit, the gears MAY move out of alignment, making it difficult to get into first gear in a timely manner. I remember this occasionally would happen in cars too, although it's much more frequent for motorcycle transmissions to get stuck in neutral. Sorry if the transmission lesson bored some readers, but the relevance here is that sometimes the delay in shifting to 1st gear is much more than an insignificant second. It can occasionally be like waiting for that new driver who stalled out on 'go.'

I find Folsom drivers generally are courteous enough not to honk if you take an extra second, but out of politeness I prefer not to cause a chain reaction of delays on green, which MAY mean a couple cars may not make it through at the end of the cycle. This is particularly true on the occasion I split down the center to wait at the front. Many Folsom drivers are also kind enough to even make extra room, as if to give an invitation, and I hate to step in front of them and then make them wait. Although it's completely legal in CA for motorcycles to filter to the front of the line, I think it's only polite to then quickly move out of the way of the car you jumped in front of when the light turns green. Obviously being caught in neutral is no longer a problem for a vast majority of cars, but for motorcycles it still can be (your experience may vary).

I have noticed this as well and it is a small annoyance to me as a bicyclists for two reasons: first, when traveling on oak Ave., I will often go whichever way I can make the light so as to avoid waiting for a very long cycle, but with the unpredicatbility, I don't know what the next phase will be, so I can't make a decision based on anticipating the next green (or more importantly, whether I just missed the green). The second reason is because the left turn loops will not pick up a bike, so i don't want to get out there and get stuck if I don't think a car will arrive there before that phases turn comes up.

Another one that has mystified me (and was probably a malfunction) was Blue Ravine at E. Bidwell, where the ped signal on the south leg of E. Bidwell appears to have been on recall late last week, so it would gome on whether there was a car or not (at 3:30 am I came upon a red light with the ped signal on and no-one in sight). Meant to call Zach and forgot.