Sumter Landing Stop light
 

The stop light in Lake Sumter at Lakeshore Drive and Old Mill Run...the first light as you head into Sumter Landing off Morse roundabout (or bridge for golf carts) is the one I want opinions on please. Many times during very light traffic only one vehicle is sitting and waiting for the light to change when there is zero traffic in sight. That light is a timed light, so regardless of how much traffic, and even if you are the only person sitting at the light, it won't change until it's time runs out.

The question is, how much better would it be if it were (a) were on a trip function so it changed according to traffic flow, or (b) during the non busy times...say 9 PM to 7 AM...it was red blinking and treated like a four way stop?

Please, and I'm saying this with no particular person in mind, no snarky comments about being retired, what's the rush, Villagers won't figure it out, blahblahblah. If you don't have something meaningful to contribute, please don't waste our time.

Heheh. As I retired transportation engineer who dealt with traffic signals as a career, I feel your pain. There are a few signals in TV that could be improved, and the signal your post is about is probably number one on the list.

Either of your suggestions would be an improvement. I don't know the traffic volume/time-of-day data. Flashing may be an option at low traffic times of day. But the intersection screams for traffic sensing with variable cycles and phases. If you arrive at the right (wrong) time, you currently can spend an inordinate amount of time waiting for a green light with nary a vehicle passing through. Ouch. :)

I have sat at that light from time to time. When I was first in the Villages I didn’t even see it and I think I ran the red light a few times. It can be a long light so a sensor or the like would be nice.

Given the number of times I go through that light I wouldn't want to spend any money to change it. Be patient, Haagen Dazs will not run out of ice cream, Red Sauce will not run out of wine, and the huts will not run out of beer during the time you sit at the light.

We're retired. What's the rush?

(sorry)

If things can be improved why shouldnt they be?

I'd say no to the flashing lights for one very important reason: there are homes on the side of that road, with bedrooms that overlook the road. Flashing lights at night would be infuriating to anyone who had to live in one of those houses.

A trip would probably suffice.

For some reason 4 way stops are not easy to navigate for some in TV, then again the corner in Brownwood on Torch Lake drive scares the crap out of us. Torch Lake does not stop, yet some come to a full stop anyway.

Then there is change, which some as they age don’t do well with change. They have lived here for ——— years why change that light now.

The question is, how much better would it be if it were (a) were on a trip function so it changed according to traffic flow, or (b) during the non busy times...say 9 PM to 7 AM...it was red blinking and treated like a four way stop?

Is it capable of a trip function, which I believe is traffic sensing? Flashing during periods of low traffic flow seems to make sense although not likely to benefit many.

I agree with both your observation and suggestions. The other light that similarly annoys me (because of our home location) is the one at the intersection of Morse and San Marino.

visit your congressional representative. Set up an appointment. You' ll probably meet an aide but thats how you get change started and asked to be ccd ( no pun) of the correspondence. Did this with armed services committee member and all of a sudden records i asked for were given over.

Some of us have Tee times, Pilates sessions, pickleball court reservations etc.

Although your suggestion has merit, given the huge fluctuations in the amount of traffic that light receives during the year, I'm not sure you could reprogram that intersection so that it pleases all. Personally I feel a flashing red light at any intersection in this community is a recipe for disaster. We can get people to stop at the gates when the arm has been knocked down and a temp stop sign is put up.

I believe putting in the timed function needs to be underground to feel the weight of a vehicle and that is an expense that is quite high if they didn't do it when the road was first built.

Traffic light
 

I have the same issue with the light at the intersection of Morse Boulevard and San Marino. During light traffic hours make the San Marino traffic stop at a blinking red light and then continue when the road is clear.

Total agree, after all gates have been down at st Charles and 90% of cars don’t even slow down.
Back to OPs thoughts on light, this morning I came to the light in question at 0417. Not a sole anywhere.

So from 2100 to 0500 OP just make a right on the red, do a 180 and proceed thru the green light. No cost to residents, OP doesn’t gave to wait few minutes.


OP, No one will know if you waited, made right and a 180, or just ran the red light. Your Problem Solved

Yes! That one drives me nuts, too.
I've never understood why Sumter county is so behind the times with traffic lights. I have sat at multiple stop lights on 441 at 4 am when there was no traffic on the streets that were given the green.
And don't get me started on right turn lanes.

Both of the lights referred to in this thread are under the control of Sumter County. DON"T EXPECT ANY CHANGES!!!

Make it a roundabout.
Will definitely improve traffic flow.

Can't they just put a roundabout there instead???:shrug: :rolleyes: Sorry...

At "smart" intersections the lights are not controlled by weight sensing. They are controlled by an inductive wire loops buried in the pavement which react electromagnetically to the metal mass (truck, car, motorcycle) above it. It responds 24/7 to traffic flow including stopped traffic at each point of the intersection, and adjusts light timing accordingly. A smart system (microprocessor controlled) is what is needed, not flashing lights, round-about, or stop signs. Unfortunately, I don't know the cost to install or what authority to contact to get a discussion going. This intersection is not just inconvenient but unsafe the way it is now, and not just for cars but golf carts, walkers, and bikers.

Colony and Odell has a light that after 8 pm or so can take 3-4 minutes to turn green. The other day for first time probably in my life just went thru the light.

Next time will make right and do a 180 and proceed.

Or possibly not.

I'm sure there are other kinds of traffic-sensing devices but the kind I am familiar with is the kind that senses a vehicle presence by weight. Every motorcyclist knows that depending on the bike, the weight might not be enough to register and as a consequence you can sit at a light for a VERY long time. In fact, Minnesota has a provision in the law that if you sit at a light on a motorcycle for two cycles of that light without getting a green light or arrow, you can run the light and have an "affirmative defense" if you get ticketed for it. There's not much difference in weight between my bike and our golf cart.

The intersection of El Camino Real and Enrique Drive appears to have such a system. Coming from El Diablo on Enrique and turning left onto El Camino Real can be problematic. I sat there in our golf cart for well over one light change before a car coming up alongside on my right tripped it. I don't know if Florida has such an "affirmative defense" provision in their law but was glad not to have to test it.

Again, traffic light sensors are not weight sensing devices. They are metal mass sensing electromagnetic devices, much like metal detectors used by airport security and treasure hunters. To your point though, a motorcycle may not have enough mass to trigger the magnetic field sensor. One effective trick is to stop the motorcycle closure to the buried inductive loop - closer to the edge of the traffic lane rather than in the middle of the lane. Even my metal frame bicycle will activate the traffic light sensor while, unfortunately, my carbon frame bike may not.

So, what does one do to present this idea ? Act as one would in any community with a traditional government format... by that I mean the villages, for it's substantial size, there is no mayor, no city council, no actual representation, so perhaps a letter to the county, as you mentioned, not "snarky", just a straight forward concern of a citizen. Then what would the democratic practice be in a community where, lets face it (again like you, NOT "snarky", not whining) the rights of a citizen are somewhat effected as the representation is not as direct, but my "guess" would be a grass roots citizens petition drive, IF SIGNIFICANT, could be RESPECTFULLY presented to the county board of each county that contains lights with such issues. I've often thought that the light on Bellvidere and 466, across from the Publix plaza, CVS, Culver's, Starbucks, etc.etc. does not have to be just as long if you are heading out at 3 a.m. for the airport or similar, as it is when the high school students are dismissed and the those leaving the villages to go to the plaza are at their max. But.... they are, you still sit there for the required time even if no other vehicle is in sight. It's not the issue of being retired, having plenty of time, etc. etc. It just makes common sense that different levels of traffic indicate different timing differentials... isn't that pretty much the standard in other communities ? The light timings in most places are based on traffic patterns I believe, but, I'm not a traffic engineer... maybe they use criteria I'm certainly not aware of ! ? In any case, a review of villages traffic lights would not be a bad idea... ! As for pet peeves, most of us have them, and one of mine is NOT having a left turn lane for golf carts wishing to enter the tunnel to cross under 466 to return to the villages. The routing of golf cart traffic on the street that runs behind Taco Bell, DD, I Hop, etc. is confusing for people and not very practical. Many seem to not even realize that if they leave the parking lot of Publix, that they will need to turn BACK INTO the parking lot before the reach the stop SIGN. They must go around the back of the fresh fruit basket business, and up a fairly steep slope where each cart must stop and watch for on coming carts from both directions, or, alternatively, going to the exit street by the Mexican restaurant, and then turn left to proceed on to reach the tunnel. Sure, most finally figure it out, but, surely there is a better way to do this ? Maybe create a LEFT TURN ONLY lane for golfcarts at the end of that street near the tunnel entrance ? Oh, well, so be it !

Maybe something as simple as calling the County public works department. To see if the traffic light issue has been raised before. Or has there been a traffic study of the lights being discussed.

Public Works Department | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (sumtercountyfl.gov)

Sumter County Public Works

319 E. Anderson Ave.
Bushnell, FL 33513

Ph: 352-689-4400

We do tend to go straight to the petition and pitch forks too often on this site.

They don't put scales underground. The sensing is done as a metal detector picking up metal. It is simply a cut in the road that wire is laid into then covered up.

Hmmm, first thought is that if you buy a house there then you should expect light distractions. Kind of like if you buy a house on a golf course you have no right to complain about the occasional stray golf ball. Second thought, they make these things called window shades that would block the flashing lights.

stoplights
 

It would be nice to get some of these lights fixed or set right. When I am sitting at these type of lights I always wonder how much gasoline could be saved. It is just ridiculous how much gas is wasted in this country sitting in our cars waiting.

Again, common sense rears its ugly head.:pepper2::bowdown::evil6:

And some actually work, not everyone is retired

Here's a quick primer on how "smart" intersection detectors work. The 'Pavement Invasive Detectors' are typically installed during construction or repaving, but can be retroactively installed also. It simply comes down to the road owner determining if one of these systems are worth the extra cost, so contacting them would be the first thing to do to get it changed.

Traffic Control Systems Handbook: Chapter 6 Detectors - FHWA Office of Operations

Do
 

This doesn't do anything how do we request it. Tell the developer people will be happier going to their sales office?

:loco::loco::loco:

Developer does not control public street traffic flow.

As you said, "This doesn't do anything"

And let’s not forget small bladders and sensitive colons!

Gas is money these days and sitting at unnecessary traffic lights is a waste of gas.

Depending on time of day, early mornings it’s oriented to people going to work in The Villages.

Actually, why have any stop lights in the Villages. More collisions will slow traffic down sufficiently and give our first responders some work to do.