Each year the Traffic Engineering Division of the City of San Diego receives many inquiries about installing stop signs or traffic signals as a way to reduce speeding. However, the purpose of stop signs and traffic signals is to assign rights-of-way at an intersection, not to control speeding. The stop signs on Bernardo Oaks Drive and Acena were not to reduce speeding, but rather to facilitate cross traffic

San Diego has two types of traffic signals: fixed-time signals and actuated signals. Fixed time signals are set for average conditions and change at predetermined time intervals. Actuated signals detect vehicles (including bicycles) and adjust the timing to optimize traffic flow at the intersection.

Along major arteries which have several traffic signals placed at periodic intervals, the traffic signals are usually synchronized to provide coordinated movement along the major street. This is true on Miramar Road and Mira Mesa Blvd. And Council member Brian Maienschein intends to have the same done on Rancho Bernardo Road and Bernardo Center Drive this spring.

Before installing a traffic signal at an intersection, the Traffic Engineering Division must establish minimum criteria: the amount of traffic (vehicles and pedestrian), the need to provide interruption to the major flow to satisfy side street vehicles and pedestrians, special conditions such as hills and curves, and the accident history of the intersection.

Stop signs are installed at an intersection only after deemed appropriate through careful engineering evaluation. Yield signs, in some cases, are found to be satisfactory and less restrictive. The overuse of stop signs reduces their effectiveness. Therefore, improving the visibility at the intersection is often more effective in reducing traffic accidents. A way to improve visibility and to reduce accidents is to prohibit parking near the intersection.

If you have questions, requests or suggestions regarding traffic control, call the Traffic Engineering Division at 619-533-3126.

* * * * *

New "Stars" for RSVP: New nametags were issued recently to 8 members of RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol) – one for each year of service. Nametags with seven starts were presented to Lola Bellinger, Norm Gillespie, Art Handell, Bob Owens, Eileen Stanley and Bob Steinhauser. Nametags with four stars were presented to Jim Baker and Jack Loos.

RSVP needs YOU to volunteer. They need another 15 volunteers to donate time to help keep Rancho Bernardo sate! Here’s how to get started on your new, fulfilling life: come on down to the RB Storefront at the library, 2^nd floor, pick up an application and make an appointment for a preliminary interview, After a background check, you'll be ready to join the new recruits in classroom sessions. Then, graduation and the famous silver badge.