Traff G ights to be romance Shaun Conlin ‘ready to ride. this summer or-early in the fali: A trafic light wave, that is. ‘A new North Vancouver truck route is soon to be built along parts of Welch Avenue, Ist Street, 2nd Street, Forbes Avenue, Esplanade Avenue and the Low Level Road. A new traffic light setup is being placed at the Y intersection of-3rd Street and the Low Level Road. Best of all, after an extensive truck route study. Esplanade Avenue between ’ Chesterfield Avenue and St. Georges Avenue will enjoy an “optimization of traffic signals.” That is to'say, east-west traffic on Esplanade will have syn- chronized traffic lights. . Synchronizing is hardly “anew concept for traffic gnals. Marine Drive has used them for yeurs Indeed; synchronized “traffic lights occurs along ‘many. main roads in the ~, Lower Mainland. Traffic - ., lights are synchronized to ensure the smoothest possi- -ble. flow of traffic.’ The theory behind it all is quite simple: If a vehicle . starts off from one green light and travels at a set speed, usually the speed “limit, that vehicle will'c ” green lights for a long ‘stretch, depending on the time of day and on traffic ‘congestion (and where or - “when the driver decides to turn off), Travelling over the “designated limits causes one ‘to encounter red light-after ted light which’ is most frus- trating for the ignorant dri- ~ ver while !aughable for _ those who know, better. Hurry up, wait. Hurry “Lup, wait. Just like the army,” ” [hear, Go with the flow, folks: Catch that synchro- ‘ nized wave of greens. ;' .." The stretch along. - Esplanade will have one’ the optimum foci : ue signals “when one realizes that this area is often teaming with pedestrians — sightseers, movie goers and commuters — andthe desired effect is to slow everyone down to a more [eisurely, safer pace. Moreover, and keeping in mind that this is‘2 truck’ route, lower speeds in this area are terribly important. all about synchronized lights and are more than happy fo ride through a chain of green lights ata lower. safer speed mply . because getting those big rigs rolling from a stand still takes a lot of fuel and Causes, unnecessary wear and tear — not to mention pollutio Think about that the next time your scream past an apparent “slow: poke” only to find yourself screeching. to a halt-at a red. Again, ° there will be nothing stop- ping you from legally trav- ling at 50 km-hr through aes area, «but if you do SO you will only meet with a red at Lonsdale Avenue, wait a few seconds, and then catch another red at either Chesterfield Avenue or St. Georges. depending upon which direction you traveling. Go with the fiow this summer (or fall). Catch the wave. If you forget this urticle at that (ime, Len Mierau, North Van's very own Traffic Technologist, will have signs posted to remind you. Slow down along Esplanade Avenue, fol ICs a fantastic little piece of - North Van we're talking about, Enjoy the ride. Be-safe. ‘Read Conditions 525-4997 : BC Ferries * schacule 277-0277. : * general inquiries 659-1211 B.C. Transit . 21-0400 . ‘Wiaat Van poe . Blue Bus 2as-7777 AirCare Hotline «433-5633. CB.e. 861-2100 ‘Ministry of “Highways 660-5770 BCAA, 268-3650. "APPROVED CENTRE “couRTESY ¢ CARS ‘FOR COLLUSION REPAIRS | “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” a AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR } TALKING: % Estimates +h me: hig ‘tech'equipped | shop | 299-9000 ‘Consultation 989 LINCOL CONTINENTA.