Office of Operations
photos of traffic merging onto congested highway, congestion in snowstorm, variable message sign, cargo, variable speed limit sign in a work zone, and a freeway at night
21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies

Traffic Bottlenecks

Combating Bottlenecks

Los Angeles

City wide "Operation Bottleneck" began in 2006 to identify the worst bottleneck intersections on the city grid and apply signal adjustments or identify other potential solutions (i.e., turn lanes, remove curb parking, etc.) to improve operations.

Bottleneck Project: Operation Bottleneck was conceived following a national "report card" of traffic signal efficiency sponsored by FHWA and ITE. After reviewing the self-assessment of their "grade", the LADOT felt it was necessary and worthwhile to survey their inventory of signalized intersections and begin a proactive program to identify and tweak even more efficient timing patterns and operation at those locations. Up to 80 intersections per year are improved and the program will continue indefinitely, and in rotation, until all intersections have been reviewed numerous times.