Tiburon to test smart signals at Trestle Glen bottleneck

Tiburon is getting smarter traffic signals at the Trestle Glen Boulevard bottleneck on Tiburon Boulevard — and a plan to try to do something about contractor trucks clogging the peninsula at rush hour.

The Town Council voted unanimously May 20 to adopt a two-year traffic study and authorize up to $180,000 for an adaptive signaling pilot program as part of capital improvements for fiscal year 2026-2027, which begins July 1.

“I think this will serve as our reference point for traffic issues in the near future as we’re trying to figure out what to do step by step,” said Mayor Jon Welner, who initially sought to fund the study with the town’s federal coronavirus relief money and called addressing traffic one of his three main priorities during his mayorship.

Parametrix Inc., the consultant that conducted the study, will also manage the signal-upgrade work, analyzing signal-timing plans, reviewing traffic during peak and off-peak hours and coordinating with Caltrans, which operates Tiburon Boulevard as State Route 131. Up to $30,000 would go to Parametrix for that coordination, with $75,000-$150,000 for equipment and installation.

Parametrix principal David Parisi said the range reflected unknowns around hardware upgrades, potential cameras and Caltrans’ requirements.

If combined with an additional westbound lane at Trestle Glen Boulevard, adaptive signaling could reduce outbound travel times 15-20%, saving drivers an estimated five to eight minutes, Parisi said. Peak periods, such as after the school day ends, would see reductions at the lower end of that range.

The impacts of what adaptive signaling can do at peak traffic without an additional lane, as drivers will experience during the pilot, remain to be seen. Parisi told The Ark after the hearing that the scenario wasn’t calculated. He didn’t respond to a follow-up voicemail left May 22 regarding why not.

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