Traffic flow improves at key intersection

By Randy Bell

The traffic signals at one of Clinton’s busiest intersections are no longer flying blind. The City has replaced a radar detection sensor at Northside Drive and Clinton Parkway/Pinehaven Drive, to help move vehicles through the intersection more efficiently.

The sensor failed about four months ago, and the signals were switched to timed intervals, which often meant motorists had long, unnecessary waits for the lights to change. The sensor reads the number of cars in each lane and tells the control cabinet to adjust the timing of the signals based on real-time traffic conditions. The sensor can also detect a pedestrian trying to cross the street and give the person sufficient time to get to the other side before the lights change. The replacement sensor was installed September 16.

Public Works Director Phillip Lilley says it seems to be working as well as the original sensor before it went on the blink.

“We have seen a noticeable improvement in traffic flow since the replacement,” Lilley says. “We are still monitoring it, but so far the improvement has been encouraging.”

He’s giving the public some credit for making sure the City was alerted about traffic problems at the intersection after the first sensor failed.

“That feedback helps us, especially with an issue like this that may not be obvious unless you are traveling through the intersection regularly.”

The City installed similar sensors at Pinehaven and Arrow Drive and at Springridge Road and Trailwood. In addition, the Mississippi Department of Transportation placed sensors at intersections along Highway 80 and on Springridge from Clinton Center Drive to Highway 80.

According to Lilley, MDOT has been “a great resource” for the City in helping to troubleshoot any problems. His goal is to have sensors at all intersections to improve traffic flow citywide, but says, “I do not have a timeline.”