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.