ATSAC for Dummies

Well there he goes again... In the spirit of a true zealot, our blogging R-1 Thug reverts to reiterating erroneous statements as if repeating the falsehoods enough times will somehow make them come true. Sorry Mark, but those aren't ruby slippers... no matter how many times you click them together and wish, it won't make it so. And you ain't no Dorothy either.

Nonetheless I guess the only way to clear this up is to get down to as basic a level as I can. Hopefully with the correct information laid out simply enough, anyone can understand it. Even those who are not "...in the know..." to quote Mark. This information is publically available to anyone who wants to bother checking the FACTS before they start putting tripe into print.

It doesn't get more basic than the name - ATSAC (Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control). ATSAC is a proprietary traffic control system owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles. It is arguably one of the most complete and sophisticated systems available. But the operative word here is "proprietary". It belongs to the City of Los Angeles. Not the County. Not Caltrans.

The County of Los Angeles and Caltrans use a different system named ATCS (Adaptive Traffic Control System). It also is a system based on real-time demand. When properly and completely installed, it works just fine. However, there are two major drawbacks. First, the ATSAC and ATCS don't "talk" to each other. One speaks Spanish and the other answers in Portugese. Secondly, even though ATCS could work just fine, it doesn't on the 12 traffic signals between Summerland and PCH. Why not?, you ask. Well, that is because the system has not been properly and completely installed.

That's right. Despite the press release from a County supervisor's office, the system is not working. It seems the only equipment installed were sensor loops under the pavement at the intersections. The light cycles were lengthened to 90 seconds, but the control of the signals IS STILL NOT dynamic. The control cables have a break in them "somewhere" and Caltrans has been running in circles trying to find the gap. So the system is "installed" but not working. You would think they would have tested it before putting out a press release. I suppose that would be too logical.

But it gets even better (or worse, depending on how perverse your sense of humor is). There have been no CCTV cameras installed either. How can you have a demand-based, interactive, real-time system with no cameras? The answer - you can't. No cameras, no working sensors, translates to not really an adaptive traffic control system at all.

Oh, they plan to install the cameras. Only it will be "later". When exactly will "later" be? Perhaps it is my distrust of government, but if it took them this long to act on the suggestions of the Western Avenue Task Force and implement a change as small as lengthening the timing of the signal cycles, PLUS, this work was done ONLY because of special state and federal money being allocated; how much longer do you think it will take Caltrans to complete the job if they have to write the check themselves?

Is everyone confused yet? I know I am, and I've got notes to keep me on track.

Unfortunately this is like a bad dream that won't quit, because it gets more complicated. We have to remember that the entire area borders several different jurisdictions with the County, the City, Caltrans, Lomita, and Rancho Palos Verdes each holding various and sundry ownership and/or control of the assorted roads. The problem is more complex than can be answered by merely installing a dynamic traffic control system along a tiny section of one thoroughfare. What happens when you get 1 block off Western? Or let's say you turn south onto PV Drive headed into 5-points? Or north onto PV Drive and immediately hit a section of Lomita with its traffic signals maintained by the County? Or just continue west toward 25th Street. Without the multiple systems being coordinated, you can drive up and down a 2-mile strip of Western all you want. Just don't try to go anywhere else!

At this juncture, it should be rather obvious that the Ponte Vista benefit is a tangible and credible bonus for San Pedro traffic. I don't think anyone has any illusions about the City of Los Angeles paying to install CCTV cameras on sections of road owned by the County and controlled by Caltrans. Or vice versa. And don't forget about Lomita and Rancho Palos Verdes. Does anyone think any of these municipal entities will pay for the coordinating of systems and the installation of all the necessary equipment? Not in this lifetime...

The irrefutable truth is even without Ponte Vista, traffic in San Pedro traffic is going to increase substantially. The growing Port activities will ensure that all by itself. The only way to give the roads a fighting chance is to tie traffic flow together under one system. The only way that is going to happen is if you have Bisno Development write the check. I would rather have a single, consolidated, coordinated system than a mish-mash of jerry-rigged, patchwork solutions.

So Mr. R-1 Thug blogger, shuck and jive all you want about what you supposedly wrote. The truth is you were just throwing out more unsubstantiated, inflammatory posts merely to give yourself another platform for yet another shrill, meaningless protest.

And perhaps you should refer to a dictionary for the definition of the word "research".