Proposition C to Ease Gridlock

It is clear your article (“Drivers’ Use of Shortcuts,” Sept. 6) struck a harsh chord among many readers and deserves a response. This November, Los Angeles County residents will vote on a measure, Prop. C, which seeks to fund programs that can get our freeways moving and keep frazzled commuters from speeding through neighborhoods and endangering our children, pedestrians and other motorists.

Prop. C. provides a half-cent increase in the sales tax specifically to fight gridlock on a fast-track basis by:

1. Funding commuter rail within two years and speeding up the timetable for light rail and other rail transit throughout the county.

2. Creating “Smart Street” corridors on the eight most congested freeways in the county, where traffic already moves at less than 30 m.p.h. for more than six hours each day. Smart Streets combine traffic signalization, tow patrols to immediately clear up accidents and other technology to make our freeways and adjacent major streets move as efficiently as possible.

The nation’s most advanced Smart Street project begins along the Santa Monica Freeway in 1991. However, based upon trial efforts, we know this technology can increase travel efficiency by 15%, reduce fuel consumption by 15% and cut vehicle emissions by 10%. Prop. C can clear the way to implement Smart Streets countywide.

Prop. C can save lives and prevent accidents. Our neighborhoods should not become freeways of last resort!

NEIL PETERSON, Executive Director

L.A. County Transportation Commission