CalTrans District 5 Bike Detection Changes on CA SR 135

The information below is from CalTrans District 5 Traffic Division Chief Peter Hendrix in response to the advocacy efforts of Geoffrey Wheeler of San Luis Obispo County. Geoffrey has persistently advocated for better bicycle detection at traffic signals on CA SR 135.

While we differ [from Geoffrey’s assessment] in our viewpoint as to whether bikes have access to all signals, the good news is that we were able to chisel some safety project money towards this issue that arose due to a prior project that did crosswalk enhancements and other complete street improvements. This money that paid for these cameras was from the current signal safety project. We used a newer kind of detection than we used in the past.

So the good news is that we have established extensive bike detection improvements at the following locations on Hwy 135 where the project was already doing work and bike detection was less than desired. Bike detection enhancements will be operational by the end of April 2025 at the following intersections.

Locations

Union Valley Parkway

Skyway Dr/Lakeview Rd

Miller St

Saint Andrews Way/Santa Maria Way

McCoy Ln

Albertsons Driveway

Betteravia Rd

Western Village Dr

Carmen Ln

Newlove Dr

Battles Rd

Enos Dr

Stowell Rd

Morrison Ave

Cook St

Main St

Fesler St

Alvin Ave

Donovan Rd

This is in addition to other improvements such as the ped push button at the Skyway bike path….Note that for the detection locations, the locations with no bike detection (McCoy & Stowell) were complete as of December 2024 using the same “fish eye” cameras.

AI cameras for 24-hour traffic monitoring

We also have other cameras, not related to bike detection, that will be installed and operational at the following locations, which include two on Highway 135. These cameras will look a little different than the bike detection cameras. These will be doing 24-hour traffic monitoring using AI cameras. All modes of traffic will be counted, 24-7 (as long as CalTrans keeps paying for the subscription).