Hillcrest Traffic Signal

Detector loops were installed this week on both sides of Hillcrest Avenue at Highway 65/69. When a vehicle approaches the intersection from either the east or west, a red light will stop the north/south traffic.

Until now video cameras were used to detect motion on the east or west sides of Hillcrest but we found they were not very accurate. Since the cams were mounted on the signal masts, they were subject to wind and vibrations that often caused a false signal. Therefore the north/south traffic was stopped needlessly.

The detector loops were installed in the concrete and create a magnetic field. The field is broken only when a vehicle drives over the loop thereby causing a green light in the east/west direction. Otherwise, the east/west directions should always remain red and the north/south green.

The new loops should lessen north/south stops and improve traffic flow. Our thanks to those who called to inform the city about the signal. The new loops should be a significant improvement.