KINGSTON - The traffic flow at one of the busiest junctions in the city – Regent and Camp streets, will be modified shortly - a move that will see a faster discharge of traffic and reduce waiting time.
According to Terence O’Brien, head of the Traffic and Highway Lights Department of the Ministry of Public Works, a study was done at the Regent and Camp Streets Junction to understand the dynamics of the traffic movement by the Chief Transport Planning Officer Patrick Thompson. The data from the study, which included traffic counts and left and right turning movements were used in a traffic software that models and simulates junction movements.
The junction analysis revealed that if two right turns and no parking on the eastern side of Camp Street between Robb and Regent were to be restricted, the flow of traffic would be improved significantly and the delays would be reduced by approximately 70 percent (from 94.5 seconds to 31.4 seconds).
The objective is to create a straight to straight continuous flow incorporating a filter lane. This will allow a greater volume of traffic to be discharged while at the same time reducing the cycle time, O’Brien explained.
Against this backdrop, all traffic lights junctions along Camp Street will have to be adjusted and synchronized to keep up with the changes at the Camp and Regent streets junction.
Road signs, both vertical and horizontal will be installed shortly by the Traffic Signs and Maintenance Department to guide motorists into the appropriate lanes, as they approach the junction.
“We are hoping for it to be implemented by March month end,” Mr. O’Brien said.
He also divulged that Traffic Engineers have completed the geometric improvement design for the junction at Lamaha and Albert streets and will embark on a city wide study this year commencing at key junctions, such as Irving and Lamaha streets, Camp and Lamaha, Vlissengen and Sandy Babb, Vlissengen Road and Regent Street.
Meanwhile, the Ministry’s traffic department continues its effort to maintain the 50 traffic lights in and around the city functional, despite the numerous accidents and vandalism. A significant amount of investment was made with the use of protective barriers, heavy duty cabinets locally manufactured and tamper proof locks. Depleted spares are now sourced from other suppliers. Mr. O’Brien noted.
The Traffic Lights were installed by CMS Traffic Systems Limited of India and commissioned in July of 2007. Financing was made possible through a line of credit (LoC) from the Indian Exim Bank of US $2.1M.
