Rancho Mirage approves joining CVAG regional traffic signal synchronization program

Rancho Mirage — The Rancho Mirage City Council voted 5-0 to authorize the city to participate in the Coachella Valley Association of Governments' (CVAG) Coachella Valley Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program, known as CV Sync, and to let the city manager finalize the participation agreement subject to city-attorney review.

Council action followed a staff presentation from Ryan Stendell, the city's director of public works, who recommended joining CVAG to coordinate signal timing across the valley and to access regional funding and operations staff. "By being able to coordinate traffic regionally," Stendell said, synchronization can "improve traffic flow, we can shorten your travel time" and reduce vehicle emissions by reducing stop-and-go driving.

The nut graf: Council members and staff said regional coordination removes duplication, improves day-to-day management and increases the city's ability to secure grant funding for future phases. Stendell told the council that Rancho Mirage already operates a city-managed synchronized…