Why are loops cut into freeway lanes such as on the 405?
Q. I was wondering if you know why on the 405 Freeway near off-ramps there are cutout circles in the two right lanes. They look similar to what you would see on city streets at intersections that I believe are used to trigger traffic signals. The freeway cutouts have been puzzling me.
– Joe Howell, Westminster
A. Puzzle no more, Joe – you were on the right track.
You are seeing the result of sensors being embedded into the asphalt or concrete lanes, similar to those on city streets. In the transportation biz, they are called what they often look like – “loops.”
Caltrans’ often have six-foot diameters. What is visible to motorists are the outlines from the filler protecting the sensors tucked into the cuts into the roadway.
The ones on streets, at some intersections, detect when vehicles are in the lanes and can prompt a red light to change to green.
“The freeway cutout circles your reader noticed are … detection stations,” Nathan Abler, a Caltrans spokesman, told Honk in an email. “(The software) collects different traffic information, such as volume, speed, delay(s), axle counts and more.
“Since a single loop cannot detect all this data, in some places you may see two sets of loops,” he added.
The gathered info helps Caltrans on current and future road projects. Plus, the public can get some of Caltrans’ data online at QuickMap.dot.ca.gov – users can see how well traffic is flowing, in real time, on freeways throughout the state.
Q. Recently the speed limits were decreased on Santa Ana Canyon Road here in Anaheim. Would you please check with Anaheim officials to see why?
– John Bennett, Anaheim Hills
A. The reductions were to increase safety, said city spokesman Mike Lyster – and not to boost revenue from issuing more speeding tickets.
Anaheim is installing new signs now across the city: Going down by 5 mph are 159 stretches, with nine being reduced by 10 mph and one stretch, on Manchester Avenue, getting a 15-mph reduction.
The number of areas with an increased speed limit?
Zilch.
“We know not everyone will be thrilled,” Lyster said. “(But) it’s always about safety.”
Those living in other Honkland cities could see reductions in their fine communities as well: A recent state laws makes it easier for cities to reduce speeds.
Anaheim used surveys, which determined most motorists were already driving at the lowered speeds on the stretches, and other data about schools, driveways, pedestrians, cyclists and past crashes to make decisions.
Lyster said the costs of cops’ time and prosecutors if needed and other expenses aren’t fully covered by fines’ revenue.
“We never cover the cost we incur to write the ticket,” he said.
Reporter Michael Slaten will have more on the topic in upcoming days for The Orange County Register.
HONKIN’ FACT: On average, 37 people were killed every day in drunk-driving collisions across the United States in 2022, the last year statistics were provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation. That came out to 13,524 lost people.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk