FYI

Watch live feeds of traffic cameras online and learn more about the ITS at roseville.ca.us\traffic

Road closed and don’t know where to go? Let LED lead the way.

In the last year, Roseville’s Intelligent Transportation System has grown to include technology like intersection cameras and LED (light-emitting diode) variable message signs to aid and inform drivers on the road.

“We’re constantly working to deploy smarter technology,” said Jason Shykowski, senior civil engineer for the city’s Public Works department. “(The cameras and the signs) allow us to move forward and provide more information for our residents making it safer on the roads.”

Residents driving throughout the city may have noticed four LED signs currently operating on major arteries including Atlantic Street, Riverside Avenue and near the Galleria Mall entrance. Three more signs are scheduled to be up and running later this year on Douglas Boulevard, Sierra College Boulevard and Sunrise Avenue.

The locations for LED signs were selected because of their proximity to events that necessitate road closures, like Vernon Street, or the number of alternative route options that were available to drivers, like Douglas Boulevard Shykowski said.

The signs are intended to inform drivers of road closures, congestion and provide alternate routes to keep traffic flowing smoothly throughout the city. The signs may also display information from the California Highway Patrol including AMBER alerts and reporting drunk drivers.

“Currently we’re only able to relay information on city streets,” Shykowski said. “But we’re working on data sharing to include traffic information on freeways as well.”

A sign near the Galleria frequently flashes messages asking drivers report drunk drivers to CHP officers and alerts Galleria employees about parking restrictions during the holiday season.

But not all residents see the value of the signs.

“It’s one of those things that you program out,” said J.Crew employee Miranda-Lynn Ward. “I honestly couldn’t tell you if it was on or what it said and I drive by it everyday.”

Roseville City Manager W.Craig Robinson said the signs are for information only and will not be used for advertisements.

“The messages are not intended to be a distraction to drivers. They are to provide useful information to get our residents home safely,” Robinson said.

Each variable message board costs about $120,000 and is funded by grants including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as Prop 1B, a transportation bond that voters approved in 2006.

“We were able to fund this project through federal stimulus dollars not city money,” Robinson said. “None (of the funding) will come from the general fund.”

Working in conjunction with the LED variable message signs are traffic cameras installed at 140 Roseville intersections.

The small, white, half-dome cameras can be seen topping the traffic signal poles and can be manipulated via satellite to rotate 360 degrees and provide traffic information to residents.

“The cameras let us know of accidents at intersections, congestion and other blockages and allow us to respond appropriately,” Shykowski said. “In many cases we’ll change the timing for the signals to help clear up a problem quickly.”

Residents can watch a live stream of the traffic cameras online and receive updated information about congestion, road closures and incident reports to plan travel routes accordingly.

Shykowski said a Traffic Operations Center to house the complete ITS is in the works for later this year. In one distinct location, the ITS would provide a comprehensive report on traffic conditions throughout Roseville and at many intersections for residents and prospective businesses.

“We’ve had access to this information and have been putting it on our Web site for years,” Shykowski said. “Now we have a way to get the information out to residents, keep them informed and safe.”