Traffic Signal Removal Test at Regent and Segoe Fails to Convince Many Area Residents

posted July 16, 2023 - 4:58pm

This week, several residents have contacted me about the traffic signal removal test being conducted by city staff at the intersection of Regent Street and Segoe Road. Residents who have contacted me are concerned about public safety given the number of pedestrians and cyclists in our area. Here are two comments:

Image of Regent Street and Segoe Road with Traffic signal removal test

[Comment 1] “Thank you for letting us know about the plans to change the traffic light at Regent and Segoe to a 4-way stop. I think the change has disadvantages for everyone. It increases the chances of car-bicycle collisions as drivers have to look across a wide street and across the median to check for bicyclists. It's a disadvantage for drivers on Segoe who have benefitted from the long green light to drive unimpeded on Segoe. It's particularly hazardous to pedestrians, who can be overlooked by drivers located across a wide street and on the other side of the median. This is particularly dangerous in the winter, when the median is piled up with snow, leaving no space for pedestrians to stand and obscuring the view of drivers. The potential for pedestrian-bike collisions is also increased, as bicyclists are notorious for blowing through stop signs. I don't know what a flashing red light experiment is, but - does the city have any idea how many bicyclists and pedestrians use that intersection or do they just check for [the] number of cars?”

[Comment 2] “We are distressed to learn of the possibility that the city of Madison will remove traffic lights at this intersection--or consider any change in the intersection's stop/go traffic pattern that has been long established. Any change that will increase the frequency of movement through the intersection--by any vehicular traffic, by bicycles/e-bikes, or by pedestrians, be they adults, the elderly, or children--ought to be considered a calamity-in-the-making. This is already a dangerous intersection and will become even more so as the inevitable housing/business development of the area increases--and especially if protections afforded by traffic lights are removed. The SAFE and ORDERLY movement of any form of traffic through the intersection must be enhanced, not be made more haphazard. PLEASE support retaining the life-saving and injury-prevention functions of traffic lights at this busy intersection.”

There is also a timely letter to the editor in the July 16, 2023 “Wisconsin State Journal” written by Jay Ford, titled “Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway must care more about traffic safety”

Madison's mayor and her administration apparently are willing to prioritize costs over safety. They are running an experiment at the intersection of Regent and Segoe to replace the traffic lights with a four-way stop sign.The logic presented by the city is that the light is old and will probably need replacing as they continue to restrict traffic lanes, one lane in each direction on Segoe and Whitney Way, in an area where the city has allowed for increased housing and traffic density.

The city seems to believe the cost savings will allow them to increase safety features at the intersection. But anyone who routinely drives, walks or bikes through this intersection knows that it will have the opposite effect. Despite voices in opposition to the change, it appears that the city is going to make the change anyway. After all, the mayor seems more interested in positioning herself for a job in Joe Biden's administration than she does about the safety of Madison residents.

How many traffic accidents or near misses with school-age children walking to school or with elderly residents will it take for the city to realize or even admit the change was wrong. - Jay Ford, Madison

Concerns about public safety along Segoe Road have been raised with me and city staff at several of our Town Hall meetings over the past year (see: 8/17/22, 9/8/22, and 4/10/23) and never do I remember anyone asking the city to remove stop lights and walk signals at intersections. I have lived in our area for decades and the traffic lights at Regent Street and Segoe Road have been there as long as I can remember. I will need to be convinced that removing them and installing 4-way stop signs are indeed a step in the right direction for public safety.

Please continue to send emails and voice your comments to the Traffic Signal Removal Test by calling 608-267-1969 or sending an email to safestreets@cityofmadison.com. I also encourage you to attend the upcoming virtual Public Information Meeting via Zoom on July 19th at 6:30 pm to give input on the possible removal of the traffic lights at this intersection. Please register in advance for the July 19, 2023 Public Information Meeting Registration at https://cityofmadison.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lYAzSpiMQzOQNxsJEmt6cA#/registration