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Drivers on upper Ashby Avenue are getting a graphic reminder of just how fast they’re going, legally or otherwise, thanks to a trio of solar-powered signs that flash their speeds on glowing digital panels. 

“We’ve had chronic speed problems on Ashby for a long time,” explained Hamid Mostowfi, an associate traffic engineer for the city. “So we applied for a grant for the signs from the federal Office of Traffic Safety.” 

The $100,000 in federal monies paid for the three signs and for pedestrian-triggered in-pavement crosswalk lights where Piedmont Avenue crosses Ashby. 

While the signs have been up and working for a couple of weeks, the crosswalk lights are still dark. “PG&E says it will take four to six weeks to bring power to them,” Mostowfi said. 

The pedestrian crossing features not only the in-pavement lights but a pair of advance warning signs that will flash to alert motorists when a pedestrian crosses the heavily traveled street that is also state Highway 13 (Cal Trans had to sign off on the new signs before the city could install them). 

The solar-powered signs and the PG&E-powered lights are only the first stage in a local high-tech traffic revolution. 

Next up: cameras at intersections to capture red light-runners. Mostowfi said his department will bring their proposal to City Council on Dec. 16. 

Though Mostowfi didn’t cite the rationale, cash-strapped cities had been turning to cameras, which not only control a major traffic problem but also produce an endless stream of lucrative traffic tickets without the need to hire additional police officers.