BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Is there something unusual about the traffic light?  Why would a traffic light pose an issue for cyclists?

Some traffic lights cannot detect bicycles and give pedestrians long waiting times.

I think that, at least in terms of slowing cars down, this light would be helpful. I can see the problem with stopping bikes (especially when you're moving at a pretty good clip down Butler) but it helps to stop cars from going 40-50mph in this stretch of road. As someone who drives and bikes this portion of Butler, it's common to see cars fly by. I'm guilty of it too. Maybe this will help

Wonder what they're building there that they need a new street?

@Jason-PGH, The speed limit on Butler St. from 55th St. to the Highland Park Bridge is 35 MPH. There are also a lot of cars parked on the sidewalks along this stretch. I thing the speed limit on Allegheny River Blvd. should be lowered to 30 MPH. BMUFL signs should be installed where the shoulder is too narrow to accommodate cyclists, and in places where there is no shoulder. Most of the length, heading toward Verona, there is a shoulder that can accommodate cyclists, but not pedestrians. at the same time

75-3112c2 lets you treat a red light as a stop sign if it appears it is malfunctioning, and pavement sensors failing to detect your presence is considered a malfunction.

How long does it take to determine if the traffic light is malfunctioning? 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 1 hour?

The time is not codified. Here is the relevant wording: (c) Inoperable or malfunctioning signal.--If a traffic-control signal is out of operation or is not functioning properly, including, but not limited to, a signal that uses inductive loop sensors or other automated technology to detect the presence of vehicles that fails to detect a vehicle, vehicular traffic facing a: (1) Green or yellow signal may proceed with caution as indicated in subsection (a)(1) and (2). (2) Red or completely unlighted signal shall stop in the same manner as at a stop sign, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign as provided in section 3323 (relating to stop signs and yield signs). Subjective call. Note also, no distinction as to type of vehicle, so this applies equally to cars. The 2016 wording change was to make it clearer for motorcycles to proceed on a red, since sensors often don’t detect them, either (let alone a bicycle). In my own practice - since I have non-detecting lights on both ends of Perrymont Road - on a bicycle, I am clearly stopped, both feet planted, for a good count of 20, then I start looking for a break in the traffic.

Though if you can see the lines for the sensors and ride right on them they will detect your wheels, unless they are actually broken/misadjusted (or you have carbon wheels).

Some do, some don't. Coming out of Northway Mall crossing Babcock, the sensors detect my bicycle every time. Either end of Perrymont, doesn't even detect a 200-pound motorcycle, let alone a bicycle.

They are probably broken, then, and should be reported.

Tree Pittsburgh's new nursery is down there. Not sure what else could be coming.

Is this actually a new street then? I'll have to bike over to check it out. Just next to the 62nd bridge there has always been a street that Google maps calls "AVRR.". It leads to a salvage yard, a plumbing place, and a car part place. And I guess the new tree Pittsburgh nursery. Is this where the light is? If so I bet they put in the light to help people making a left out of there onto Butler.

The new street is further west of the 62nd St bridge, just before the Sunoco Logistics property if you are headed towards downtown. I believe it's called Suydam St.

Why doesn't the new street have a name like 59th St. or 60th St.?

My guess is that the new street is too short and or those numbered streets already exist on paper either as streets that were never built or city steps that have since been demolished.