The Torrey Pines Community Planning Board is going to vote on the installation of a traffic signal at Mercado Drive and Del Mar Heights Road. 

Traffic studies done in 2004, 2007, 2016, and 2019 show no history of pedestrian traffic or crash history warranting a traffic signal at this intersection. The only criteria that was met to warrant a signal at this intersection is the volume of traffic on the south side of Mercado Drive for one hour in the morning. Most of this traffic turns right onto Del Mar Heights eastbound. Traffic engineers are not required to include right-turn traffic in their calculations and without right-turn traffic the intersection does not qualify for a traffic signal.

In 2004 and 2007 the traffic engineers subtracted right-turn traffic and the intersection did not qualify for a signal. There has never been  a safety study done to show that a traffic signal at this location will improve safety for pedestrians along Del Mar Heights Road, only a one day study of traffic volume to see if the intersection meets volume criteria.

A signal will turn the residential streets on the north side of DMH Road into arterial thoroughfare streets as drivers divert through the neighborhood on their way to Beachside. A signal will not make it safer to walk along DMH Road. With the afternoon sun, a signal at this location is dangerous for westbound traffic. A signal will create congestion and traffic delays.

Let the TPCPB and the city know that we do not want a signal at this location.