Posted by ecarson1958 on May 26, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Once again folks, what we have here is the typical stupidity of uneducated people trying to solve a problem using antiquated answers from the past. Why is it that adding more lanes to a road will solve the problem? What a complete waste of money. So you ask, "ok mister smarty pants, how would you fix the problem?"

Addressing the solution is a long answer. However in a nutshell I will offer simple ideas to start the council members off on the right foot.

1. Restrict the large commercial trucks to remain off that segment of road way between the most heavily populated times by the general public in their little cars.

2. Conduct an extensive analysis by an independent traffic engineering firm to coordinate the timing of the traffic lights. Greater emphasis needs to be given to the trucks to allow a continuous flow of traffic. It is literally stupid to think that trucks can accelerate and stop like cars. There is no reason to have 10 trucks sitting on the highway waiting for the light to change, and then can't get to the light before it changes to red again.

The side streets need to be much shorter in duration and should be changed at a greater frequency. There are periods when the side streets are green and the cars had left 20 seconds earlier with empty streets. Yet on the highway are a bunch of angry people.

3. Don't spend a penny on construction. Try the quickest and simplest solution. In the San Fernando Valley there were a couple of areas that were grid lock for years and years until a brilliant young man like myself thought outside the box. He changed the traffic timing on the lights and suddenly cleared up a grid lock problem instantly. Simple and effective.

If you council members need help, i'll be glad to show you alternatives. ecarson1958@yahoo.com

Posted by Camman1 on May 26, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just what we need...

Who were the idiots in charge of the last major construction project on the 118? You remember, the one where they would dig up a long stretch, pave it over, only to dig it up again (and sometimes again)?

How about timing the lights along the 118 better?

How about better enforcement for the crazy unlicensed truck drivers that use ALL of the lanes and bog down traffic?

How about better staffing of the East and Westbound truck inspection stations just outside of town? When the Conejo Grade inspection station is open, all the truckers come through Moorpark (because the inspection stations on the 118 are closed more than they are open).

So in summary, great idea. Let's widen the 118 on its main stretch through downtown, only to have 3 lanes of semi traffic converge into 1 near the Pentair plant. By the way, how many near death accidents do we need at the Pentair plant before a signal light is put up? Better yet, how about lazy Moorpark officials repave that cross street (Montero Street) so all the rocks from that street stop carrying out on to the busy 118 as the 500 or so Pentair workers pull out???

Moorpark officials, are you listening???

Posted by smithjc on May 26, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

my solution to the problem is this: the city of moorpark, county of ventura and city of ventura need to purchase the portions of sr118 that run through their respective jurisdictions. with the current fiscal climate in the state, the state would probably be happy to get rid of the maintenance expenses and let it go cheaply. then, since these sections would be city and county roads, instead of a state highway, trucks could be restricted by local ordinance from using it, allowing passenger cars to travel more freely through the area and would force the trucks to go through the inspection stations.
there would be no change in enforcement or accident investigation responsibilities, as the chp would remain the enforecment and investigation agency in the unincorporated areas (as they are now) and vpd and moorpark pd (vcso) would continue to be responsible in their respective jurisdictions.

Posted by bearbigdog2 on May 26, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When is the state going to widen the Pearblossom Highway that runs from Lancaster to Victorville?

Posted by WolfWalker on May 26, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwor...

you should look at that article pay attention to the part that says "Back then, trucks and buses made up most of the traffic on Moscow's largely empty streets. Today, rush-hour bottlenecks occur throughout the workday and make what should be a 15-minute trip downtown last an hour or more." now that the Russian economy is picking up and more people are driving cars.

maybe you can tell me why 110 between I-5 and 101 in l.a. is always backed up during rush hours, yet no trucks are aloud on this stretch. And I-5 around I-14, even though there is a truck route taking trucks of that part from 14 to 210. Sense trucks are taken off, you would think traffic would lighten up a little. It doesn’t! Matter of fact some cars even take the truck route to get around traffic on 5.

As for “crazy unlicensed truck drivers” what about crazy unlicensed car drivers that speed 70 through moorpark, (I’ve seen it 1st hand) car drivers making illegal left turns going west Los Angeles into chevron station. (I saw 2 cars do it on Thursday) or the ones that are weaving in and out of traffic passing me as I’m doing 45 through town. And when I’m going through in the #2 lane (from the center) a 3rd lane opens and closes, merging going through town. While cars get in these lanes passing everyone on right the cutting over even driving on shoulder when lane ends, which cause’s lane 2 to have to brake backing up traffic. As for trucks in all lanes, rarely do I see trucks in #1 lane. Especially sense moorpark police have harassing trucks over the past year.

When are people going to wake up, and stop blaming trucks for everything.

Everyone. Be safe on the roads, the life you save maybe yours or a loved one.

Posted by RedTail on May 26, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree Wolf, the trucks aren't completely the problem. The article states one of the reasons for the additional lane is to prevent the weaving of cars in that area---I'm sure especially that right lane that merges over that everyone uses to pass slow traffic, including all the trucks.
The thing I've seen plenty of trucks do is drive extremely fast, to the point where they can't stop and they honk their horns at an intersection to warn people they can't stop and go right through red lights. A lot of them do that at the Tierra Rejada/LA Ave intersection. I never walk or take my bike across at that intersection for that reason. I'd love it if a traffic camera could be put up there.
Hopefully a lot of people will attend the meeting this week and give their input on this.

Posted by WolfWalker on May 26, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One more thing banning trucks off 118 would not decrease traffic. It the ban happen, trucks would be pushed to 101, which would increase traffic on 101 that can’t handle what it has now. It would increase truck traffic through conejo scales (which in an earlier article)

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

The scales cant (at times) handle the truck traffic it gets now and has to close once in a while to clear traffic or stay open backing trucks up on the freeway. (And all those trucks sitting there idling and crawling through. Wasting fuel (which some of the cost will pass down to you) and more exhaust in the air. It will be worse if ban happens. Plus if trucks cause traffic tie-ups as people think. Then more cars will not take 101, and will take 118 for lighter traffic and no trucks. So 118 will get busier, not lighter.

I have an idea to get rid of trucks. You all need to stop going out place’s, stay home and grow and make your own stuff. For as long as you go out and buy things. Trucks will have to come and replace what you get. The more people buy and go out. The more trucks will be on the road. Also the smaller the trucks, the more traffic will be out there.

Posted by WolfWalker on May 26, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RedTail. so you’re saying no cars run that or any other red light. At least the trucks honk to let people know. Do any cars honk? They need a red light camera there to get trucks and cars.all I ever hear is trucks, trucks, trucks. I’m not saying, and have never been against truck enforcement, but we need to also have car enforcement. A truck can do a lot of damage, should it crash but it only takes 1 bad car driver to force a truck out of control. It’s not hard to control a truck. It’s only hard when the trucker has to take evasion action because a car pulled in front of or cut off.

Everyone be safe on the roads, the life you save maybe yours or a loved one.

Posted by Tom_Johnston on May 26, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know this area well, thought I know it gets congested.

I'd suggest anyone out in Moorpark planning this, look at the impact of the recent "Wagon Wheel" area of the 101, where the freeway goes from 3 lanes to 6, then back to 6 in around 2 miles.

The traffic jam on the northbound side just moved about 2 miles past where it used to start to just past Johnson Drive...where it rapidly goes from 6 to 3 lanes.

Really, seems like the 118 should go to three lanes all the way to Ventura. Not freeway, but more lanes the whole distance.

Posted by RedTail on May 26, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wolf, I'm not saying that cars don't do the same thing. Try to not be so defensive--It's just I notice it more with trucks--It's probably harder to brake on a truck, so trucks do it. Obviously car drivers do it too, just when a big semi is going really fast and is honking its horn, you tend to really notice it.

Posted by RedTail on May 26, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tom, I think they wanted to expand the 118 all the way into Somis, but residents there fought it.

Posted by WolfWalker on May 26, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I’m sorry, but it’s hard not to be defensive when I read the paper or watch TV and see stories of all the car crashes. I read things like “more than 42,642 people died in traffic accidents in the United States. Statistics show that 4,995 people, or 11.7 percent of the total, died in accidents involving big rigs. If you factor in the data that show some 75 percent of accidents involving big rigs are attributable to the actions of the four-wheeler, less than 3 percent the total might actually have been killed in accidents at which the trucker was at fault.”
And yet truckers are attack everyday by groups like public citizen, stop the trucks and just people in general, like moorpark. Which try to spin that by saying that the 4,995 people are dead so we cant get their side of the story, only the truckers. So let’s say that the 4,995 deaths were the trucker’s fault, which still leaves 37,647 deaths cars fault. And no one seems to care about them. I have 20yrs about 650.000 miles no accidents. I know many drivers in my company and other companies that have 20+. Yet my life and car drivers lives are put in danger everyday. By cutting me off or pulling out in front of me, causing me to take evasive action A couple of weeks ago. While going up the hill south 101. I was heavy with deliveries for thousand oaks. I was in the 4th (or slow lane) doing about 25 mph, my flashers going. No trucks within sight of me. Not a lot of traffic on the road, at middle of the day. 2 cars where coming up on me in the 3rd lane. I then saw a 2 door hatch back in my mirrors in the 3rd lane coming up. As he got closer he moved into the 4th lane (behind me) to try to cut in front of the cars that where about to pass me. he didn’t make it and I lost sight of him until I looked my passenger mirror and saw him on the shoulder slamming on he’s brakes. When he slowed down enough he move back behind me the over into the 3rd lane passing me then cutting in front of me. and going on. FYI there was no one in the fast 1 and 2 lane. Iv heard of cars rear ending slow trucks going up the grade. Its just one of many things truckers face daily. Driving is my livelihood, and I take my driving and safety very serious, as many truckers do. As Iv said before. For every bad truck story you have, I have 100+ bad car driver stories. It’s extremely hard not to be defensive when people attack and hate you everyday, when your out there for them. Without trucks America stops. Truckers need the public, just as much as the public needs trucks. sorry this is so long. I just have a lot to say.

Everyone!! Be safe on the road. The life you save could be yours.

Posted by WolfWalker on May 26, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The state wants to widen 118 to 2 lanes each way from moorpark to 101 in oxnard. But a group called “save our somis” says no because it will bring more traffic. Only the traffic is still coming with or without the added lanes.

Posted by WolfWalker on May 27, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

check out the article where at bottom it says “In addition to an underpass for the railroad crossing near Gabbert Road” its about the bypass, but they could tunnel under the tracks there also. which they should have done along time ago. Sure would help with traffic it there was a bridge there. but they would have to take people’s land, which they will have to do for the bypass. No matter what they do, some people will not be happy.

Posted by RedTail on May 27, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wolf, if you think there should be a bridge there, I sure hope the truck scales are up and running full time to make sure they are at proper weights. The county is already putting in millions to fix the existing roads and bridges there that can't accommodate the traffic now.

Posted by WolfWalker on May 30, 2008 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That money also comes for state and federal hwy taxes. Truckers and trucking companies also pay into the hwy funds. So truckers should be able to use the roads. And I’ll bet my company (just the California part) pays more in taxes then everyone in moorpark. Then you add the dockworkers we have who pay taxes and the drivers for their personal cars. In just my terminal, and my competitors terminals in Ventura county. We have dockworkers, truck drivers, office people and managers. We all live in Ventura County, and pay our taxes. There for, we should have access to roads and hwys.

Not all trucks are illegal or over weight. And once again. I never said no, to truck enforcement.I am for it, But there should also be car enforcement. And people should be calling for enforcement for anyone. but no one, not even you are calling for car enforcement. the only thing you've said is "the trucks aren't completely the problem" but then you jump right back on how bad trucks are.

Did you know that on the car driver’s test, they removed the 3-point turnabout and the parallel parking? Why? Because to many people where failing because of those two things. However truckers still have to parallel park on their driving test among other things. Have you ever parked a tractor-trailer? If you have problems with you car, you can’t do a truck. (not without hitting something)

hears a idea, What if Ventura County, opens the bypass and connect it to 118 and 23 freeway to 101 in oxnard. Make it for trucks only, build a big scale house, like the one near san diego. That way only local trucks go into moorpark all others go though bypass and scale house. Of course, if they did that. Then whom would moorpark blame for traffic and accidents in town? I guess that would leave the local trucks.
Moorpark could build a warehouse off the bypass, have local trucks use bypass to go there and deliver the goods. then, moorpark people can get jobs there, and use pickup trucks, to deliver and pick up stuff from moorpark business take back to warehouse for trucks to take. Dumb idea, but It’s just an idea. Might solve some things. But some people will still complain. At least if moorpark did that then it wouldn’t have any trucks on the avenue. Sense that what you all seem to want.