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Council approves Los Alamos corridor pilot to test signal timing, adds cameras
Summary
The council approved a pilot program to collect traffic observations and before/after travel-time runs on Los Alamos Road, including installation of two CCTV cameras and iterative signal timing adjustments with an estimated budget of about $20,000.
The Murrieta City Council voted unanimously Jan. 21 to begin a pilot program aimed at easing congestion on Los Alamos Road between Hospitality Place and Whitewood Road.
The pilot will combine updated traffic counts, before-and-after travel-time measurements, lane-by-lane observations from the city’s traffic center and revised signal timing developed in coordination with Caltrans, which maintains two interchange signals along the corridor. Staff estimated an up-front cost of roughly $20,000 for two cameras and consultant support.
Why it matters: Los Alamos carries heavy commute flows, and council members said improving flow at signals could reduce risky driver behavior, lower delays and help commuters and school traffic near Murrieta Mesa High School.
Program outline: City staff proposed a four-step program — fresh counts, before travel-time runs, two weeks of traffic observation using CCTV feeds, and after travel-time runs — then iterative timing adjustments. Two additional cameras would be installed so staff could observe queue lengths and turning movements into and out of the Murrieta Gateway and other intersections.
Technical constraints: Staff cautioned that Los Alamos is on a synchronized timing plan; making live, ad hoc changes to a single signal can disrupt the corridor. Instead, staff proposed an iterative approach: observe one day, model timing changes and implement updates the following day to reduce ripple effects through the signal system.
Cost and implementation: The city estimated about $10,000 for two cameras and up to $10,000 for consultant or staff support; funding can come from the neighborhood traffic management CIP or existing traffic-room budgets. Staff said counts and initial observations could be done in-house and that the city would delay the pilot until Winchester Road work is complete so rerouted traffic does not skew results.
Council action: The council approved the pilot unanimously and directed staff to proceed with equipment installation and data collection, then return with results and any recommended follow-up.
Ending: Staff said the pilot is intended to be a focused, low-cost test that will guide larger investments — including future adaptive-signal software and more systematic CCTV-enabled counts — to reduce congestion on high-use corridors.
