Logan to synchronize Main traffic lights
Around Dec. 6, Logan will have its traffic lights synchronized from Macey’s to 1400 North.
Andy Neff, public involvement coordinator for Utah Department of Transportation Region One, said, “Right now, the lights throughout Logan are on an independent timing system.”
UDOT is working with contractors in Logan to hook together the lights on Main Street with fiber-optic networking. The project will cost about $300,000, Neff said.
“With fiber-optic networking the lights in Logan can be run from our offices in Ogden, and so when there is a problem with the lights, we will not have to travel down there,” he said.
UDOT’s Dale Lake said the project will not be entirely noticeable, but will be beneficial.
“The people of Logan won’t be able to see much of a change, because the lights are pretty well-synchronized already.”
Neff said, “The average motorist won’t recognize a change, but it has been figured out that there is going to be less than a minute in time savings.”
Mayor Doug Thompson said the new system will reduce congestion by 10 percent.
Some of the benefits may seem small, but as a whole, will pay off, he said.
Lake said there are some air-quality benefits to making traffic run more efficiently.
“Overall, in the long run, motorists will be saving on fuel consumption, because they will be stopped for a shorter period of time, and they will also save on emissions.”
Neff said having the lights networked together will allow the Ogden UDOT office to take care of problems right away, from their location.
Erin McAbery, a sophomore dietetics major, said she thinks the new system is a good idea.
“Even if it is only a minute, I think it is worth it,” she said. “In the long run, they might be able to make the waiting time even shorter.”
Neff said the contractor’s are shooting for completion by Dec. 6.
-stacipete@cc.usu.edu