A Flaw in Pico/Olympic Study?

by Damien Newton on January 16, 2008


At Monday's Pico/Olympic meeting one comment questioned the validity of LADOT's "pilot program" where they gauged the effects of re-timing the signals on the traffic pattern because the study occurred on Jewish holiday. DOT representative John Fisher seemed confused as DOT re-programs all pedestrian signals to take Jewish holidays into account. When he asked the audience "which holiday," there wasn't a clear response.

Well, let's set the record straight. The traffic study took place on October 2nd and 3rd, which are part of the Festival of Sukkot. Both days are in the second part of the holiday, known as Chol Hamoed. According to chabad.org, work on Chol Hamoed is permitted if, "would result in 'significant loss.'" I don't know enough about Jewish holidays to say whether or not this would impact the traffic study, but perhaps someone who reads this post could illuminate me.