Q:    Why do you want to remove the signal light at the intersection of Monroe and Franklin?
A:     There are a number of reasons, but the primary reason is that the light has created a condition that is dangerous for pedestrians and neighborhood residents.  Other reasons are that the light has created cut-through traffic on Monroe St, increasing traffic volumes, noise, and pollution.

Q:    What do you mean that light has created a condition that is dangerous for pedestrians and neighborhood residents?
A:     An example is the situation where motorists race to the signal in order to catch a green light.  Soon after the light was installed, a child crossing Franklin Street was hit by a motorist who had raced to the light to make a left turn up Franklin, and hit the young boy.  Fortunately, the child survived.  This accident likely would not have occurred prior to the light installation, when the motorist would have been forced to stop at the stop sign that used to be at Monroe Street and Franklin.

Q:    Why was the light installed in the first place?
A:    The light was installed in August of 1998 to coincide with the re-opening of Larkin Elementary School.  Several well-intentioned neighborhood residents thought that the traffic light would make it safer for children walking to school to cross the street. Unfortunately, the decision-making process was limited to a few neighborhood residents and City of Monterey officials, with almost no representation by or notification of Monroe Street residents.

Q:    So what's wrong with using a traffic light to get children across the street?
A:     Well, if children used the light to get across the street, it would possibly justify the use of a signal.  However, very few children (pedestrian counts indicate an average of 3 per day) use the light to cross Franklin Street. Traffic engineering manuals suggest using a light in this situation only as a last resort, and instead recommend alternatives such as crossing guards.  Also, most of the Larkin School Children (over 70%) are bussed in.  Finally, Larkin School is closing and it doesn't appear that there will be an increased demand for children crossing Franklin.

Q:    But the traffic on Franklin Street does move fast.  Doesn't the light slow down traffic?
A:     The light only slows down traffic at Monroe Street, and only when cross-traffic (vehicles and/or pedestrians) is present at Monroe Street.  The light does not slow down traffic upstream or downstream of Monroe Street, for example, at Watson Street, where most Larkin School children cross Franklin Street.  Speed is a problem that is best dealt with by using "traffic calming" techniques.

Q:    What is "traffic calming"?
A:    "Traffic calming" refers to a number of techniques that can be used to slow down motorized vehicles.  Examples include police enforcement, installation of partial medians (curbs in the middle of the street that can be filled with decorative plants), curb extensions, speed humps, and others.  The City of Monterey has adopted a "traffic calming toolbox" which, ironically, implies that traffic lights are NOT to be used as traffic calming devices.

Q:    But I like using that light with my car, it makes it easier for me to turn onto Franklin Street.
A:    The City of Monterey has a "street classification system" that designates Monroe Street as a "local street".  That means, according to the City definitions, that the street should be used for local residents (and their guests) coming and going to their homes.  The City has designated other streets as collectors, which are to be used for more widespread travel. In the Old Town Neighborhood, the designated north-south collectors are Van Buren, and High, and the designated east-west collectors are Jefferson and Madison.  Pacific is designated as an arterial, (for the highest volumes of traffic).  Franklin is also designated an arterial, and with the recent closure of the DLI may soon be downgraded to a collector street.

Q:    This all sounds very complicated.  Doesn't the City of Monterey have high-paid engineers who figure out how traffic should flow, and when and where traffic signals should be used?
A:     Yes, the City of Monterey has a traffic department and several traffic engineers and analysts.  Unfortunately, when the signal at Monroe and Franklin was installed, a thorough and complete engineering analysis was not undertaken. For example, CalTrans guidelines suggest that at least 1 out of 11 possible "warrants" be satisfied at an intersection before a light is installed.  When the Monroe/Franklin light was installed, none of the warrants were satisfied, and today, none of the warrants are satisfied.

Q:    So did the City break any laws when they installed this light?
A:    Well, we're not lawyers, so we can't say.  But the City does have a lot of power to do whatever they want to do on City property.  If you live in the City of Monterey, this should concern you, because if they can put an unwarranted light at Monroe/Franklin, they could potentially put an unwarranted light on your street without your input.

Q:    It sounds to me like you just don't want traffic near your homes?
A:    We're realistic, and we know that we will have traffic near our homes.  We are simply asking the City to follow its own guidelines as laid out in The City of Monterey "General Plan Circulation Element", and to consider following the commonly accepted traffic engineering guidelines set forth by CalTrans and the Federal Highway Administration.

Q:    Why are you just bringing this issue up now?
A:    Actually, we've been working with the Old Town Neighborhood Association and The City of Monterey ever since the light was installed.  The City has worked with us in trying to adjust the light timing and suggesting alternate possibilities, but nothing has worked.  Now that the Presidio has closed to through traffic, and Larkin School will be closing, this issue is receiving more serious consideration.

Q:    But can a signal actually be "de-installed"?
A:    Yes.  Many cities across the country de-install traffic signals.  The Federal Highway Administration actually strongly recommends removing signals if they are not warranted.  Recently, the City of San Carlos (just south of San Francisco) removed an unwarranted signal.

Q:   What does the City think about all of this?
A:    It depends on who you talk to, and when you talk to them.  Initially, City officials suggested that they would support removal of this light if Larkin School were to close.  Now they are stepping back a bit, but on May 1 2002, the City of Monterey Traffic Committee heard our case and recommended unanimously that this issue be brought to the City Council.

Q:    I read that you're willing to pay for the removal of the light, is this true?
A:     Yes.  We have estimates that removal of the light will cost approximately $10,000, and we have offered to take care of these costs.

Q:   Can the light be used elsewhere in the City?
A:    Yes.  The City has approved traffic signal installation in at least two locations in the City, where this light could be re-used.

Q:   Who are you?
A:    We are several concerned citizens that live near the traffic signal.  Several of us have degrees in engineering, at least one person has professional traffic engineering experience, and a couple of us have worked for NASA and the Department of Defense.  You can contact us at monterey@freeshell.org

Q:   Do your neighbors support removal of the signal?
A:    Initially many people do not support the removal of the signal.  However, once they are informed of the various issues involved, they generally tend to support the signal removal.  Not surprisingly, people who live closest to the signal are the strongest advocates for removal, and those who live further away and are less affected by the signal, tend to not have an opinion, or favor the light because they use the route as a shortcut when driving.

Q:   Where can I find more information?
A:   Click here for some links that support our views.

Q:   What do some of the governing policies have to say about this?
A:   Click here for some quotes from various policy manuals.

Q:   Anything else?
A:   Click here for a slideshow (works best with fast connections).